Andrew Macarthy's Blog, page 7
November 25, 2022
Best Corner Standing Desk Converters: 7 Top Sit Stand Risers for Dual Monitor Setup
Looking for a corner standing desk converter to fit snugly against the wall on a corner desk or i-desk?
A corner standing desk converter has many benefits, including:
Maximizing your usable desk space
Burning more calories than sitting
Letting you to switch between sitting and standing instantly, which experts recommend for work.
Here are my 7 recommendations for the best corner standing desk converters. I chose these based on design, build, price, and customer recommendations.
Short on time? Overview and my top pick corner standing desk convertersKeep reading for a full breakdown of the best corner standing desk converters, or check out the table below for a brief overview - click the names for more info and to buy on Amazon.
Name Desk Size Rise Height Best For Pros Cons Price Vivo Standing Desk Converter 43"(TOP PICK!) 43.3" x 28.3" 17.0" Overall value Build quality, size, and price. Keyboard tray not huge. ~$249 Stand Steady X-Elite Pro 40" x 21.5" 16.75" Single shelf Fully assembled, large desk. Can be heavy to raise. ~289 Rocelco 46" Standing Desk Converter 45.5" x 23.25" 18.0" Tall users Huge desktop area, high rise height. No keyboard tray adjustment. ~$309 Ergotron WorkFit Corner Standing Desk 45" 44.8" x 31.4" 15.0" Pro users Build quality, dual monitor add-on Pricey. ~$525 Flexpro Hero Corner Standing Desk Converter 37" 37.5 X 25.0 16.5" Phone mount Phone holder, adjustable base. Phone holder takes up desk space. ~$339 Stand Steady X-Elite Pro Glide 31" x 21" 16.0" Small spaces Compact size, price. No keyboard tray. ~$249 VariDesk Cube Corner 36" 36" x 33.5" 17.0" Easy rising Build quality, easy to rise. Pricey $525
Best Overall Corner Standing Desk Coverter: VIVO Black 43-inch Standing Desk Converter
This black corner standing desk has a spacious 43-inch desktop surface, providing ample room for single and dual monitor setups - two 27” inch monitors will fit fine.
The keyboard tray (measuring 28.2” x 10.6”) raises in sync with the top surface to create a super comfortable workstation.
To move from sitting to standing, the VIVO corner standing desk uses 33lbs of pneumatic lift assist to raise your workstation in one smooth motion. Adjust to your ideal comfort level (ranging between 6” and 17”) by using the simple touch height locking mechanism.
The VIVO 43” standing corner desk is all but ready to go out of the box - just attach the keyboard tray and feet, and you’re ready to go!
There’s a 3-year manufacturer warranty for peace of mind, and tech support on hand to help with any questions or concerns.
Reasons to Buy
Impressive build quality
Easy to assemble
Smooth adjustment
Cable tidy included
Reasons to Avoid
Not much room for mouse if using full size keyboard and number pad.
buy at amazonWhat Customers Say
“This is probably the best standing desk I’ve had. It’s incredibly sturdy, doesn’t walk and has some heft to it. A 5 year old could assemble it. The keyboard rack is spacious and the monitor deck is open and shaped nicely. I am 6’1” and full extension is very comfortable for me.”
Best Compact Corner Standing Desk: Stand Steady’s X-Elite Pro Glide
Best Compact Corner Standing Desk: Stand Steady’s X-Elite Pro Glide
If space in your office is at a premium, Stand Steady’s X-Elite Pro Glide might be a left-field solution if you’ve been considering a corner standing desk converter.
It doesn’t have curved edges like the other standing desk converters on this list, but its rectangular form is small enough that it should fit comfortably into most corners.
Its 31x 21” size is big enough for a modest dual monitor setup, with enough room for a monitor, laptop, keyboard, and mouse.
The X-Elite Pro Glide allows you to change from sitting to standing in seconds - adjusting from 1.5” to 16” in height. When in its lowest position, it is nearly flat with the desktop.
This small-but-mighty corner desk converter is made from MDF and can hold up to 20lbs of equipment. There’s no assembly required with this standing desk converter - it’s ready to go right out of the box.
Reasons to Buy
Great value
Compact size
No assembly required
Sturdy design
Reasons to Avoid
Not suitable for large dual monitor setup
What Customers Say
“No assembly required! I took it right out of the box and put it on my desk. A quick squeeze of the side handles to raise or lower. Easy, effective and very well made. This is making my work day so much more comfortable!”
buy at amazon
The Rocelco 46” corner standing desk converter is the second priciest on this list, but that price is justified, especially if you are a tall person who requires maximum height adjustment.
With an extra large work surface (45.5”W x 23.25”D), the Rocelco has room for up to two 32” monitors, and its keyboard tray is strong enough to hold a laptop if required.
Adjustment is easy with this corner standing desk, thanks to an easy-grip side handle and a gas piston that can raise and lower your workstation from between 5 and 18 inches.
That’s thehighest adjustment for any of the corner standing desk converters on this list, but this can be extended by another 4.7” with Rocelco’s dual monitor stand - bundled here.
The dual monitor stand holds two standard size or one large monitor, plus includes 4 UL-approved AC outlets and two USB 2.0 charging ports.
So along with the large work surface, the Rocelco is most suitable for tall people for whom the extra few inches are crucial for comfort.
It’s capable of lifting up to 40lbs, and it rises straight up for improved balance of the desk and your precious office equipment.
Assembly of the Rocelco corner standing desk converter is super simple - the keyboard tray attaches to the main riser in a matter of seconds.
For peace of mind, Rocelco offers a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty as standard.
Reasons to Buy
Huge desktop work area
Easy to adjust
Simple assembly
Very sturdy
Reasons to Avoid
Expensive versus other standing desk converters
What Customers Say
“Great value for the price paid. Yes, it is more expensive than other brands, but you get what you pay for. The keyboard tray is more deep so keeping a full size laptop on it is not a problem. The hardware is also top notch, will require some hard pushing to get it down but pulling up is easy.”
buy aT AMAZON Best Premium Corner Standing Desk Converter: Ergotron WorkFit
Best Premium Corner Standing Desk Converter: Ergotron WorkFit
Ergotron has been in the business of building people-centered products since 1982, and was one of the first companies to earn patents on desk stands. Its professional-grade products are engineered for durability and tested to performance excellence.
With a monitor stand measuring 33.1"w x 22.9" in usable size (its full with is 44.8"), the Ergotron WorkFit provides plenty of room for a dual monitor setup - anything under 24”. The full depth of the product is 31.4".
Its keyboard tray measures 36" x 13.2", so there's a generous amount of space for your mouse and a full-sized keyboard.
The Ergotron WorkFit corner standing desk converter offers 15 inches of sit-to-stand adjustment. Pushing the handle rises the desk straight up and down, so no risk of bumping your walls!
Sold separately is the WorkFit Dual Monitor Kit. Screw this into the top of your desk and you'll be able to attach two monitors, which can easily be oriented independently to either portrait or landscape.
The Ergotron WorkFit corner standing desk converter arrives fully assembled - just slide it out of the box onto your desktop and you’ll be ready to work.
Reasons to Buy
Quality-made product, made to last
No assembly required
Generous desk space
Dual monitor add-on available
Reasons to Avoid
Expensive compared to other corner standing desk converters.
What Customers Say
“Absolutely love the way this desk sets up! It’s sturdy attractive and does just what I need it to do! Offers me access to my computers at a perfect height. Standing up offers me the flexibility of movement & keeps me feeling energized NOT LETHARGIC as I might feel sitting down all day.”
BUY AT AMAZON Best Single-tier Corner Standing Desk Converter: Stand Steady X-Elite Pro
Best Single-tier Corner Standing Desk Converter: Stand Steady X-Elite Pro
With its curved edges, the single-tier X-Elite stand up desk converter is designed to fit perfectly on top an L-shaped desk - making it the ideal ergonomic solution for corner workspaces and cubicles.
At 40 inches wide, the X-Elite Pro is on the larger side - offering a spacious desktop and plenty of space for a double monitor setup. Its full dimensions are 21.5"D x 40"W x 16.75"H.
The height of the X-Elite Pro can be adjusted from 2.25 inches up to 16.75 inches using its smooth pneumatic pump, letting you transition between a sitting and standing desk effortlessly.
This corner standing desk converter comes fully assembled right out of the box, so you can get setup and start work in no time at all.
With a sturdy metal frame and a scratch resistant powder-coated finish that repels liquids for easy cleanup, the X-Elite Pro is designed to last.
And for added peace of mind, the Stand Easy X-Elite Pro comes with a 1 year warranty as standard.
Reasons to Buy
Fully assembled out of the box
Large desktop area
Smooth gliding tracks
Solid construction
Reasons to Avoid
Can be heavy to raise if desk is fully loaded.
What Customers Say
“Since working from home, I developed lower back pain. My doctor told me I needed a standing office desk. Instead of replacing my L shaped desk, I purchased this standing desk converter and it has been a real pain reliever! It is spacious, easy to lift and my desk has a lot more space on it! I am so happy and satisfied with my purchase and highly recommend this product.”
BUY AT AMAZON
This is the second Stand Steady desk converter on this list, but the Hero Corner includes two tiers - for your monitors and keyboard.
At 37 inches, it’s middle of the range as far as size goes - plenty of room for a double monitor setup - and a compact 16" x 30" base when sitting on your desk.
Its sturdy metal base can support up to 35 lbs, while the leveling feet ensure your desk doesn't wobble as you type.
Height adjustment is made easy thanks to the Hero Corner's hydraulic pump, which securely and smoothly lifts your desk converter up to 20-inches high.
This standing desk converter also features a phone/tablet holder, which gives easy access to your devices when you need them.
Assembly of the Flexpro Hero Corner is super simple - just attach the keyboard tray to the standing desk with the four screws included and you’ll be ready to work in minutes.
Reasons to Buy
Trusted manufacturer
Easy assembly
Phone/tablet holder included
Can adjust base to prevent wobble
Reasons to Avoid
Phone/tablet holder takes away some space for papers/writing.
What Customers Say
“This standing desk is a game changer. Holds two large monitors and still space to place paperwork. No more neck pain from looking down at the monitors. Easy to assemble and sturdy. No problem moving it up and down with two large monitors. Love it.”
BUY AT AMAZONBest Easy-to-Use Corner Standing Desk Converter: VariDesk Cube Corner 36-inch
Best Easy-to-Use Corner Standing Desk Converter: VariDesk Cube Corner 36-inch
The VariDesk Cube Corner 36-inch corner standing desk converter is the most expensive on this list, coming in at over $500 at the time of writing.
However, what you get for your money is a durable desk converter with a couple of standout features.
The first is its special rowing-lift mechanism, which allows you to easily adjust the rising desk by pulling simply pulling a lever. Unlike other desk converters on this list, this means you can make a height adjustment while maintaining a healthy posture.
The VariDesk Cube Corner 36 has also has a heavy weighted base for stability, and you can raise the desk up to 17.5” with its patented spring-loaded lift, instantly letting you switch from sitting to standing.
Two spacious tiers (the upper one measures 36”W x 19.75”D) offers ample room for up to 2 monitors, a laptop, your keyboard, mouse, and other accessories. It will lift up to 35lb of equipment with ease.
This corner standing desk converter comes fully assembled - slip it out of the box and you’re ready to go.
Plus, Vari has your back in case of any issues, with a 30-day free returns policy and a generous 5-year warranty.
Reasons to Buy
No assembly required
Innovative lever-pull to raise and lower desk
High build quality
Spacious and durable
Reasons to Avoid
Among the most expensive standing desk converters
What Customers Say
“It is sturdy, high quality, smooth and easy to operate, and fits perfectly on the corner of the desk. The individual using it says that having the ability to convert between sitting and standing has already helped her back feel better.
Also, having the monitors sit higher on the Varidesk even in the sitting position helps with ergonomics, relief of shoulder and neck pain, etc. We highly recommend the Varidesk brand!”
BUY AT AMAZON Corner Standing Desk Converters: Frequently Asked QuestionsAre corner standing desk converters easy to setup?Yes! For all of the examples on this list, the standing desk converter either comes fully assembled or requires simply attaching the keyboard tray before you can get to work.
Can corner standing desks accommodate a dual monitor setup?Yes, all of the corner standing desk converters on this list can accommodate two monitors. How big these monitors are will depend on the width of the product you choose.
Are corner standing desk converters suitable for tall people over 6ft?Although a rise-to height of 20”+ would be ideal for tall people, the highest corner standing desk converter is from Rocelco, which reaches 18” off the desktop. However, this height can be extended with the company’s monitor stand, which adds another 4.7”.
Want more? Check out this list of the best Zoom accessoriesI’ve compiled a list of the best Zoom accessories for every budget, from microphones and headsets to webcams, and more. Check it out here.
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips
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Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6
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November 19, 2022
The Best Light for Reels: 7 Top Selfie Ring Light for Instagram and TikTok 2023
Want to look your best and take your Instagram Reels or in TikTok videos to the next level? Then you need a ring light.
Whether you are a casual content creator or a wannabe pro, a ring selfie light is essential to give your videos a professional look.
The halo shape of a ring light spreads the light over a wide area to reduce shadows and harsh lines, and makes for a more flattering image.
Whether you want to film vlogs, make-up tutorials or selfie videos, a ring light is a must-have accessory for Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts.
Here are my 7 recommendations for the best lights for Instagram Reels and TikTok videos.
I chose these based on reliability, maximum brightness, features like dimming and color control, price, and customer recommendations.
Short on time? Overview and my top pick Reels lightKeep reading for a full breakdown of the best lights for Reels, or check out the table below for a brief overview - click the names for more info and to buy on Amazon.
Name and Size Top Feature Worst Feature Best For Price Ubeesize 12" Ring Light(TOP PICK - Best for Most People)
Amazing Value, thousands of
5* Amazon Reviews No remote shutter All videos
$20 Sensyne 10" Ring Light Remote Shutter No portable charging All video $40 Aureday 12" Ring Light Touch pad controls No portable charging All video $35 Switti 18" Ring Light Holds 2 portable batteries No instructions included All video $110 Herrflik 18" Ring Light Color changes in time to music Tripod could be sturdier Music videos $50 Inkeltech 21" Ring Light Huge ring and 400+ LEDs Not the cheapest All video $110 IVISII 19" Ring Light LCD screen controls Pricey All video $110 Best Cheap Ring Light for Reels: Ubeesize 12” Ring Light With Tripod
Ubeesize 12” Ring Light With Tripod
The Ubeesize 12” ring light with tripod is arguably the most popular ring light out there - and for good reason. It’s my top pick!
This budget ring light (under $20 at the time of writing) punches above its weight for the price: a beefy 12-inch ring light with 240 LEDs.
Its bright enough to work as a key light for portrait shots in Reels and on TikTok, and is also ideal for video calls on Zoom.
The Ubeesize 12” ring light’s 5 color temperatures and 10 level brightness easily softens shadows and evens out light, making it perfect for beauty and make-up tutorials as well.
Its versatile too, with a tripod that doubles up as a selfie stick - whether you’re shooting alone or vlogging in a group.
The tripod works in portrait and landscape mode and is compatible with all cell phones (iPhone, Android), as well as iPads, webcams and GoPros.
Reasons to Buy
Portable size
Amazing value
Plenty of brightness settings
USB powered
Reasons to Avoid
Phone clip can be a bit tight.
What Customers Say
“This light will light up the most darkest room ! Great light at all levels . You can set it in sunset mode almost to where it’s on but you can’t tell or you can set it to the brightest setting and when you take a picture it seems like it’s a professional $300 light being used. 10 outta 10!”
BUY AT AMAZON Best Ring Light for YouTube: Sensyne 10” Ring Light
The Senyne 10” ring light is a super popular lower-end option for content creators on Instagram Reels and TikTok, thanks in part to its 3 color lighting modes (warm light, daylight, and cool white).
Each mode offers 10 brightness levels and is adjustable from 0% to 100%, making it perfect for video recording, live streams, and online conference calls. A smart little touch panel is used to switch between modes.
But it’s the remote shutter that helps this budget ring light stand out - allowing you to shoot video or take photos from up to 30 feet away. No app is required and it’s compatible with iOS and Android.
The lightweight tripod has a maximum height of 51 inches, and its phone holder of the Sensyne ring light is compatible with any cell phone.
Reasons to Buy
Remote shutter
Touch controls
3 color modes
10 brightness levels
Reasons to Avoid
Not chargeable, needs a power outlet
What Customers Say
“This light ring kit is amazing. Holds my iPhone 11 with a super thick Otterbox defender, no problem. Different color/ brightness settings, tripod height is great too.”
BUY at amazon Best Ring Light for Streaming: Aureday 12 inch LED ring light
Aureday 12 inch LED ring light
Aureday’s 12-inch ring light comes in at a budget price, but has everything you need to shoot great Reels and TikTok videos.
It offers 240 LEDs, 5 color temperatures and 10 levels of brightness. It is compatible with all smartphones and lightweight DSLR cameras.
Its 62-inch extendable tripod is made of sturdy aluminum alloy, and can be folded up easily for hassle-free use whether indoors or out on the go.
The Aureday ring light comes with a pocket-size remote control that works from up to 33ft away.
Reasons to Buy
Great ring light for a budget price
Remote control to start and stop video
Touch pad controls
Easy to adjust
Reasons to Avoid
Not bright enough for some customers’ tastes.
What Customers Say
“I was looking for a ring light and came across this one being highly recommended. Shipping was super fast. The light is great, it's exactly what I was looking for. I love that it has multiple settings and that it can be used on a table top or set on the floor and extended much taller. The remote it great too!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for makeup: Switti 18” Ring Light With Stand
Switti 18” Ring Light With Stand
This Switti ring light is a step up in quality from the budget options above - offering a bigger 18” ring made up of 288 LEDs - it’s big enough to hold an iPad.
It can run from mains power, but is also compatible with Sony NP-F series rechargable batteries. Two of them (sold separately) can attach to the tripod for hours of portable use.
Two color modes and high color rendering make the Switti ring light ideal for any Reels or TikTok videos, especially make-up tutorials and video chatting.
The tripod can reach up to 74 inches (188cm tall) and is simple to fold away into the carry case, which is included.
Reasons to Buy
Holds two batteries for ultimate portability
Not complicated to use
Sturdy enough to hold an iPad
Bigger than budget ring lights
Reasons to Avoid
No instructions included (available online).
What Customers Say
“This is a great light to purchase if you need some sort of soft lighting for your studio, stream, or just makeup. It creates a wonderful warm tone on your face and has an adjustable wheel that lets you decide how bright the light you want it to be”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Musicians: Herrflik 13” Selfie Ring Light
Herrflik 13” Selfie Ring Light
The Herrflik 13” selfie ring light is a color changing ring light that holds up to three phones or tablets - perfect if you want to record Instagram Reels and TikTok videos at a time.
The color changing mode is what really helps it stand out against others in the same price bracket. In the Music Follow mode, the ring lights will flash, fade and breathe in time to the music - great for singing and family parties.
The Herrflik ring light has two options for controlling its light settings - either buttons on the power cord, or with its separate Bluetooth remote control.
With a maximum height of 63 inches, the tripod isn’t the tallest around, but should be more than adequate for most uses.
Reasons to Buy
Color changing ring light in time to music
Holds multiple phones at once
Bluetooth remote control
Competitively priced
Reasons to Avoid
Tripod not as sturdy as some competitors.
What Customers Say
“So I just want to say the light is amazing! It’s very tall very sturdy yet lightweight the color options are amazing it’s super bright! The music setting that controls the light is perfection!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Photographers: Inkeltech 21-inch Ring Light
Inkeltech 21inch Ring Light with Tripod and Phone Holder
The Inkeltech ring light is a huge 21 inches, the biggest on this list. That means more room for LEDs, and you get a whopping 416 in total.
Ever run out of phone battery on an outside shoot? No worries, you can charge your phone through the USB port on the back of the ring while you are taking videos.
Each Inkeltech Ring Light has a 360 degree phone holder and a retractable tripod that ranges in length from 20 inches to 75 inches.
Reasons to Buy
Super lightweight at just 1.3lbs
Huge 21 inch ring light
Bluetooth remote control
Easy and quick assembly
Reasons to Avoid
Pricier than other options.
What Customers Say
“Seen this ring light at my friends and instantly came to purchase. By far one of my best investments 💕 great for anyone who needs high quality lighting for their videos or pictures!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Strreaming IVISII 19-inch Ring Light
IVISII 19-inch Ring Light With Stand & LCD Display
The IVISII 19-inch ring light’s LCD display is what makes it stand out from its competitors.
Positioned on the back of the ring light, it shows battery life, brightness level, and gives access to everything you need to optimize the 240 LCDs included.
The IVISII ring light features 10 levels or brightness and a convex lens design that helps to ensure optimum light distribution (and also helps to protect your eyes).
The ring light is adjustable by 180 degrees and includes a heat dissipation system so that it won’t overheat - letting you film for as long as you need!
This ring light also comes with a light filter and a white softening filter, which snaps snuggly around the ring light when required.
Reasons to Buy
LCD screen for easy customization
Strong and sturdy tripod
180 degrees of adjustment
Heat dissapation
Reasons to Avoid
Not the cheapest.
What Customers Say
“While many times the only option is to purchase high quality items a la cart or buy a lesser quality as a set I was so pleased with this set. Every piece in this set is constructed from high quality components and performs beautifully.”
buy at amazon Selfie Ring Lights: Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy use a ring light for Reels and TikTok videos?Ring lights help to improve your appearance by reducing shadows and providing a more uniform glow.
Ring lights are also brilliant Zoom calls and remote conferences, giving a much brighter and more professional look than room lights and natural window light.
The secret to a good ring light is its size and shape. The best ring lights produce a consistent, wide, circular glow that illuminates your face from all directions at once – and the bigger the ring, the softer the lighting.
The best ring lights for Reels and TikTok :
Are the right size for illuminating your face
Come with multiple color temperature options
Have adjustable brightness settings
What should I look for in a good ring selfie light?Before you rush into buying a ring light for Instagram or TikTok on the way to becoming the next big social media star, here are some of the most important things to think about.
Check the ring light’s brightness settings:
Most ring lights offer different lighting settings, which means you easily adjust how bright or dim you’d like the light to be.
Choose a ring light that’s compatible with your phone or camera:
If your ring light comes with a stand, make sure it can take the weight and size of your particular camera, otherwise you’ll need to buy a separate tripod or mount.
Think about where you’ll be using light for your Reels most:
If you're outside, you'll want a ring light that is easy to carry around, set up, and can be powered by batteries.
If you’re shooting by yourself or filming at a distance, a remote control will save time and energy.
Are ring selfie lights bad for your eyes?There is no research to show that the top brightness setting of ring lights is unsafe for ordinary use, but LED lights have been known to cause eye strain and headaches after prolonged use.
If you have light sensitivity, you are best to experiment with which ring light setting works best for you - soft and warm, for example;.
How to use a ring selfie lightSetting up a ring selfie light is super easy. Clip your phone (either in portrait or landscape mode) to the center of the ring light stand or tripod so that it's entirely encircled by the light.
bustle.com/life/best-ring-lights-for-...
What ring size light do I need?Ring selfie lights come in a variety of sizes, but the best size for Instagram Reels and TikTok videos is between 14-18 inches.
For whole body or long-distance live streaming, a ring selfie light between 18-22 inches is preferable.
For Zoom calls, a small ring light between 8-10 inches should be fine.
How much does a selfie ring light cost?Ring lights come in at a wide variety of price points, from budget options under $30 up to $100 and above for large ring lights which offer greater control in brightness, color temperature and color filters.
For most content creators on Instagram and TikTok, a budget or mid-range selfie ring light costing between $20 and $50 should be fine.
Over to youWhich ring light do you like the best for Reels and TikTok? Which do you use for your business? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6
Follow Me:
http://www.facebook.com/500socialmediatips/
http://www.pinterest.com/andrewmacarthy
http://www.twitter.com/andrewmacarthy
The Best Light for Reels: 7 Top Selfie Ring Lights for Instagram and TikTok 2023
Want to look your best and take your Instagram Reels or in TikTok videos to the next level? Then you need a ring light.
Whether you are a casual content creator or a wannabe pro, a ring selfie light is essential to give your videos a professional look.
The halo shape of a ring light spreads the light over a wide area to reduce shadows and harsh lines, and makes for a more flattering image.
Whether you want to film vlogs, make-up tutorials or selfie videos, a ring light is a must-have accessory for Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts.
Here are my 7 recommendations for the best lights for Instagram Reels and TikTok videos.
I chose these based on reliability, maximum brightness, features like dimming and color control, price, and customer recommendations.
Short on time? Overview and my top pick Reels lightKeep reading for a full breakdown of the best lights for Reels, or check out the table below for a brief overview - click the names for more info and to buy on Amazon.
Name and Size Top Feature Worst Feature Best For Price Ubeesize 12" Ring Light(TOP PICK - Best for Most People)
Amazing Value, thousands of
5* Amazon Reviews No remote shutter All videos
$20 Sensyne 10" Ring Light Remote Shutter No portable charging All video $40 Aureday 12" Ring Light Touch pad controls No portable charging All video $35 Switti 18" Ring Light Holds 2 portable batteries No instructions included All video $110 Herrflik 18" Ring Light Color changes in time to music Tripod could be sturdier Music videos $50 Inkeltech 21" Ring Light Huge ring and 400+ LEDs Not the cheapest All video $110 IVISII 19" Ring Light LCD screen controls Pricey All video $110 Best Cheap Ring Light for Reels: Ubeesize 12” Ring Light With Tripod
Ubeesize 12” Ring Light With Tripod
The Ubeesize 12” ring light with tripod is arguably the most popular ring light out there - and for good reason. It’s my top pick!
This budget ring light (under $20 at the time of writing) punches above its weight for the price: a beefy 12-inch ring light with 240 LEDs.
Its bright enough to work as a key light for portrait shots in Reels and on TikTok, and is also ideal for video calls on Zoom.
The Ubeesize 12” ring light’s 5 color temperatures and 10 level brightness easily softens shadows and evens out light, making it perfect for beauty and make-up tutorials as well.
Its versatile too, with a tripod that doubles up as a selfie stick - whether you’re shooting alone or vlogging in a group.
The tripod works in portrait and landscape mode and is compatible with all cell phones (iPhone, Android), as well as iPads, webcams and GoPros.
Reasons to Buy
Portable size
Amazing value
Plenty of brightness settings
USB powered
Reasons to Avoid
Phone clip can be a bit tight.
What Customers Say
“This light will light up the most darkest room ! Great light at all levels . You can set it in sunset mode almost to where it’s on but you can’t tell or you can set it to the brightest setting and when you take a picture it seems like it’s a professional $300 light being used. 10 outta 10!”
BUY AT AMAZON Best Ring Light for YouTube: Sensyne 10” Ring Light The Senyne 10” ring light is a super popular lower-end option for content creators on Instagram Reels and TikTok, thanks in part to its 3 color lighting modes (warm light, daylight, and cool white).
Each mode offers 10 brightness levels and is adjustable from 0% to 100%, making it perfect for video recording, live streams, and online conference calls. A smart little touch panel is used to switch between modes.
But it’s the remote shutter that helps this budget ring light stand out - allowing you to shoot video or take photos from up to 30 feet away. No app is required and it’s compatible with iOS and Android.
The lightweight tripod has a maximum height of 51 inches, and its phone holder of the Sensyne ring light is compatible with any cell phone.
Reasons to Buy
Remote shutter
Touch controls
3 color modes
10 brightness levels
Reasons to Avoid
Not chargeable, needs a power outlet
What Customers Say
“This light ring kit is amazing. Holds my iPhone 11 with a super thick Otterbox defender, no problem. Different color/ brightness settings, tripod height is great too.”
BUY at amazon Best Ring Light for Streaming: Aureday 12 inch LED ring light Aureday 12 inch LED ring light
Aureday’s 12-inch ring light comes in at a budget price, but has everything you need to shoot great Reels and TikTok videos.
It offers 240 LEDs, 5 color temperatures and 10 levels of brightness. It is compatible with all smartphones and lightweight DSLR cameras.
Its 62-inch extendable tripod is made of sturdy aluminum alloy, and can be folded up easily for hassle-free use whether indoors or out on the go.
The Aureday ring light comes with a pocket-size remote control that works from up to 33ft away.
Reasons to Buy
Great ring light for a budget price
Remote control to start and stop video
Touch pad controls
Easy to adjust
Reasons to Avoid
Not bright enough for some customers’ tastes.
What Customers Say
“I was looking for a ring light and came across this one being highly recommended. Shipping was super fast. The light is great, it's exactly what I was looking for. I love that it has multiple settings and that it can be used on a table top or set on the floor and extended much taller. The remote it great too!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for makeup: Switti 18” Ring Light With Stand Switti 18” Ring Light With Stand
This Switti ring light is a step up in quality from the budget options above - offering a bigger 18” ring made up of 288 LEDs - it’s big enough to hold an iPad.
It can run from mains power, but is also compatible with Sony NP-F series rechargable batteries. Two of them (sold separately) can attach to the tripod for hours of portable use.
Two color modes and high color rendering make the Switti ring light ideal for any Reels or TikTok videos, especially make-up tutorials and video chatting.
The tripod can reach up to 74 inches (188cm tall) and is simple to fold away into the carry case, which is included.
Reasons to Buy
Holds two batteries for ultimate portability
Not complicated to use
Sturdy enough to hold an iPad
Bigger than budget ring lights
Reasons to Avoid
No instructions included (available online).
What Customers Say
“This is a great light to purchase if you need some sort of soft lighting for your studio, stream, or just makeup. It creates a wonderful warm tone on your face and has an adjustable wheel that lets you decide how bright the light you want it to be”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Musicians: Herrflik 13” Selfie Ring Light Herrflik 13” Selfie Ring Light
The Herrflik 13” selfie ring light is a color changing ring light that holds up to three phones or tablets - perfect if you want to record Instagram Reels and TikTok videos at a time.
The color changing mode is what really helps it stand out against others in the same price bracket. In the Music Follow mode, the ring lights will flash, fade and breathe in time to the music - great for singing and family parties.
The Herrflik ring light has two options for controlling its light settings - either buttons on the power cord, or with its separate Bluetooth remote control.
With a maximum height of 63 inches, the tripod isn’t the tallest around, but should be more than adequate for most uses.
Reasons to Buy
Color changing ring light in time to music
Holds multiple phones at once
Bluetooth remote control
Competitively priced
Reasons to Avoid
Tripod not as sturdy as some competitors.
What Customers Say
“So I just want to say the light is amazing! It’s very tall very sturdy yet lightweight the color options are amazing it’s super bright! The music setting that controls the light is perfection!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Photographers: Inkeltech 21-inch Ring Light Inkeltech 21inch Ring Light with Tripod and Phone Holder
The Inkeltech ring light is a huge 21 inches, the biggest on this list. That means more room for LEDs, and you get a whopping 416 in total.
Ever run out of phone battery on an outside shoot? No worries, you can charge your phone through the USB port on the back of the ring while you are taking videos.
Each Inkeltech Ring Light has a 360 degree phone holder and a retractable tripod that ranges in length from 20 inches to 75 inches.
Reasons to Buy
Super lightweight at just 1.3lbs
Huge 21 inch ring light
Bluetooth remote control
Easy and quick assembly
Reasons to Avoid
Pricier than other options.
What Customers Say
“Seen this ring light at my friends and instantly came to purchase. By far one of my best investments 💕 great for anyone who needs high quality lighting for their videos or pictures!”
buy at amazon Best Ring Light for Strreaming IVISII 19-inch Ring Light IVISII 19-inch Ring Light With Stand & LCD Display
The IVISII 19-inch ring light’s LCD display is what makes it stand out from its competitors.
Positioned on the back of the ring light, it shows battery life, brightness level, and gives access to everything you need to optimize the 240 LCDs included.
The IVISII ring light features 10 levels or brightness and a convex lens design that helps to ensure optimum light distribution (and also helps to protect your eyes).
The ring light is adjustable by 180 degrees and includes a heat dissipation system so that it won’t overheat - letting you film for as long as you need!
This ring light also comes with a light filter and a white softening filter, which snaps snuggly around the ring light when required.
Reasons to Buy
LCD screen for easy customization
Strong and sturdy tripod
180 degrees of adjustment
Heat dissapation
Reasons to Avoid
Not the cheapest.
What Customers Say
“While many times the only option is to purchase high quality items a la cart or buy a lesser quality as a set I was so pleased with this set. Every piece in this set is constructed from high quality components and performs beautifully.”
buy at amazon Selfie Ring Lights: Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy use a ring light for Reels and TikTok videos?Ring lights help to improve your appearance by reducing shadows and providing a more uniform glow.
Ring lights are also brilliant Zoom calls and remote conferences, giving a much brighter and more professional look than room lights and natural window light.
The secret to a good ring light is its size and shape. The best ring lights produce a consistent, wide, circular glow that illuminates your face from all directions at once – and the bigger the ring, the softer the lighting.
The best ring lights for Reels and TikTok :
Are the right size for illuminating your face
Come with multiple color temperature options
Have adjustable brightness settings
What should I look for in a good ring selfie light?Before you rush into buying a ring light for Instagram or TikTok on the way to becoming the next big social media star, here are some of the most important things to think about.
Check the ring light’s brightness settings:
Most ring lights offer different lighting settings, which means you easily adjust how bright or dim you’d like the light to be.
Choose a ring light that’s compatible with your phone or camera:
If your ring light comes with a stand, make sure it can take the weight and size of your particular camera, otherwise you’ll need to buy a separate tripod or mount.
Think about where you’ll be using light for your Reels most:
If you're outside, you'll want a ring light that is easy to carry around, set up, and can be powered by batteries.
If you’re shooting by yourself or filming at a distance, a remote control will save time and energy.
Are ring selfie lights bad for your eyes?There is no research to show that the top brightness setting of ring lights is unsafe for ordinary use, but LED lights have been known to cause eye strain and headaches after prolonged use.
If you have light sensitivity, you are best to experiment with which ring light setting works best for you - soft and warm, for example;.
How to use a ring selfie lightSetting up a ring selfie light is super easy. Clip your phone (either in portrait or landscape mode) to the center of the ring light stand or tripod so that it's entirely encircled by the light.
bustle.com/life/best-ring-lights-for-...
What ring size light do I need?Ring selfie lights come in a variety of sizes, but the best size for Instagram Reels and TikTok videos is between 14-18 inches.
For whole body or long-distance live streaming, a ring selfie light between 18-22 inches is preferable.
For Zoom calls, a small ring light between 8-10 inches should be fine.
How much does a selfie ring light cost?Ring lights come in at a wide variety of price points, from budget options under $30 up to $100 and above for large ring lights which offer greater control in brightness, color temperature and color filters.
For most content creators on Instagram and TikTok, a budget or mid-range selfie ring light costing between $20 and $50 should be fine.
Over to youWhich ring light do you like the best for Reels and TikTok? Which do you use for your business? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
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June 8, 2022
How to Pin Instagram Posts And Reels to the Top of Your IG Profile
Do you want to learn how to pin posts to the top of your Instagram profile?
In this post, I’m going to show you how to pin posts and reels to the top of your profile in a step-by-step tutorial.
Instagram introduced the feature in June 2022 and it’s super easy to do in just a few taps.
The posts you choose to pin will sit in the top row of your main grid.
Before you get started, make sure to upgrade your Instagram app to the latest version, otherwise the “pin to top” feature might not be available.
Depending when you read this step-by-step guide, you might get a little notification to tell you that pinned posts are now enabled on your Instagram profile (see below).
Tap on a post in your grid to view it in full, then tap on the “three dots” menu at the top.
In the options that appear, tap on “Pin to your profile”.
You’ll get a quick message to confirm that the post has been pinned to your profile.
When a post is pinned to the top of your profile, Instagram will display a small pin icon on it in the grid view.
The process to pin a Reel to the top of your Instagram profile is exactly the same as described above for ordinary posts.
Tap on a Reel to view it in full, then choose “Pin to your profile” to pin it to the top of your profile.
As with photo posts, you’ll get a pop-up to confirm the post has been pinned and it will have a pin icon overlaying it in your Instagram grid.
How to unpin an Instagram post or Reel from your profile
The process to unpin a post or Reel from the top of your Instagram grid is just the same as pinning it there in the first place.
Simply tap on the “three dots” menu of an Instagram post or Reel and tap “Unpin From Your Profile”.
A quick pop-up will appear to confirm your choice and the unpinned post will return to its original position in your Instagram grid.
How many Instagram posts can I pin to the top of my profile?You can pin up to three posts to the top of your main profile - any mixture of photos or Reels:
3 photos
2 photos and 1 reel
1 photo and 2 reels
3 reels
2 reels and 1 photo
1 reel and 2 photos
Why should I pin posts to the top of my Instagram profile?Instagram says the option to pin posts to the top of your profile is “giving creators more flexibility to express themselves on their profiles.”
In real speak - this means that you can now easily showcase three of your key pieces of content in prominent real estate on your Instagram profile.
Whether your want to pin posts that show off what your business can do for customers; the latest news and updates from your company; or three top tips your customers can’t live without - the options are endless.
In essence, you can use Instagram’s “pin to top” feature to maximize the appeal of your profile display for visitors who come across your presence on the app.
Want more Instagram tips and tricks?Check out my book, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips on Amazon.
500 Social Media Marketing Tips will teach you how to grow your business on social media from scratch, with hundreds of actionable strategies for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and more!
500 Social Media Marketing Tips is written for busy business owners like you: a complete guide packed with expert knowledge written in simple English and with zero fluff. Focus on one social network at a time or choose any random page to discover new knowledge to help grow your business!
Over to youHow will you be using the Instagram pin to top feature? Let me know in the comments below!
March 24, 2022
Crowdfire Review 2022: Real-Life Tutorial of All Features (Listening, Curation, Reporting)
Are you looking for an all-in-one social media tool to create, manage and schedule your content? Then Crowdfire could be the app you’ve been looking for.
With social commerce predicted to grow 3 times as fast as e-commerce and the number of social media users worldwide rocketing towards 5 billion, it’s never been more important to ensure you’re on top of your strategy to maximise results.
In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about Crowdfire, so that you can decide if it’s right for you.
Let’s go!
What is Crowdfire? Crowdfire Explained
What is Crowdfire? Crowdfire Explained
Crowdfire is a social media management tool that allows individuals, small businesses, social media managers, and brands to drive results through social media.
It is an all-in-one solution that provides social media scheduling, engagement, analytics, Social listening, and CRM services.
Crowdfire connects to a wealth of social networks, including Facebook Pages and Groups, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin Profiles and LinkedIn Pages, YouTube, and TikTok.
If you have blog posts to share, Crowdfire also integrates seamlessly with the likes of Medium and Wordpress.
For e-commerce customers, Crowdfire supports integration with Shopify and Etsy so that you can automatically share your latest products on social media.
And for streamers, Crowdfire even includes the option to schedule posts from Twitch.
Note: The number of social accounts and online properties you can connect to at any one time will depend on the plan you're signed up to.
Crowdfire Features
Crowdfire Features
Just some of the things that Crowdfire can do include:
Schedule all your social media posts in its calendar and post them automatically at the best date and time of day to suit you.
Use Crowdfire’s Queue Meter to ensure you have enough content scheduled for the week ahead - an at-a-glance look at whether your timeline is going to be populated for the next 7 days.
Create one post and have Crowdfire automatically tailor it to suit a variety of social profiles.
Automatically curate and share articles and images from around the web that resonate with your audience, including from RSS feeds.
Monitor and listen to social conversations and reply to mentions from a centralized dashboard using text, images, and GIFs.
Use Crowdfire's competitor analysis to spy on your rivals and up your game - see their top posts and an overview of their performance.
Delve into advanced analytics to monitor and tweak your performance, and generate beautiful, ready-to-present reports where you can highlight the data points that matter to you. Schedule them to arrive in your inbox every week or every month.
How to Use CrowdfireUsing Crowdfire to manage your social media marketing for business couldn't be easier. Here's a quick guided tour of how it all works.
How to Use Crowdfire
1. Connect your social accounts to CrowdfireFirst, you'll want to connect your social accounts: From Facebook and Twitter, to Pinterest and TikTok.
You can also connect your YouTube channel, Wordpress blog, Shopify shop, Twitch channel, and more.
Then it's time to start filling up your content calendar!
2. Ways to schedule content with CrowdfireThere are several ways to start populating your calendar in Crowdfire, so let's take a look.
First, there's the basic Compose option. Simply create a new post on the fly by hitting the Compose button. Select the account(s) you want to post to; type your message; add an image or video, then finish it off with a location tag and hashtags.
PIC 3
You can choose to post right away, at a specific time, or let Crowdfire decide when to post - when your audience is most active, i.e the Best Time. If you wish, you can also manually set your own Best Time.
Note: You can also compose on any specific date by clicking it in the Calendar.
Next, there's Content Curation. And this is where Crowdfire will really help you to populate your calendar with ease.
The Articles option allows you to select topics, which Crowdfire will then use to generate a list of relevant articles that you can share or schedule instantly.
PIC 6
When you hit share, you'll get an instant preview of the post and an option to edit it before you publish it to the social profiles of your choosing (just hit the pencil icon).
The Images option is similar to articles, but - you guessed it - just images relevant to your niche. Again, just hit share to schedule any image from the list that is generated by Crowdfire, and share it to your audience.
The My Posts section shows a list of posts recommended from the blogs, videos, stores and various other property channels that you have to Crowdfire, and they appear here automatically.
The RSS section generates a list of posts from any RSS feed that you give to Crowdfire. If you don't know your RSS feed address, simply entering the URL of a blog post on your website will likely be enough. Here, Crowdfire has pulled in a list of blog posts on my website.
Again, these can all be easily shared and scheduled at a time that suits you.
Lastly, you can upload a .csv file to upload posts in bulk.
When you have a ready list of posts that you want to schedule in advance, then instead of composing each post individually and scheduling it, you can simply use the Bulk Post feature.
With the Bulk Posts feature, you can simply enter all the posts in an Excel sheet/Google sheets or any other document and then convert it to a .csv format and then upload it.
Here’s how scheduled posts look in the Crowdfire calendar (you can also view all scheduled posts as a list).
Crowdfire Social Listening ExplainedCrowdfire's Listening tool will help you listen to everything that’s being said about you and your competitors online. From a single dashboard, you can:
Track your mentions, their volume and sentiments behind it.
Track your competitor’s keywords to monitor their performance on social media.
Analyse your efforts using charts and graphs to easily understand what’s working for you (and your competitors) and what isn't.
Find the most influential sources, helping you with brand awareness.
Crowdfire Social Listening Explained
In this example, I’ve searched for “yoga nyc” - which I could use to snoop on the posts of yoga studios in New York City. If I lived in New York City and was a yoga instructor. Which I sadly do not!
We're able to see data including the number of mentions, social media reach, amount o interactions, and whether those interactions were positive or negative - the sentiment.
Crowdfire Social Listening Explained
Further down the report, we get a specific look at the most popular mentions and the latest mentions of your listening keyword - ideal for seeing what your competition is up to, and whether its a strategy you might want to emulate.
Crowdfire Social Listening Explained
And further down the report again, Crowdfire tells us which authors related to your keyword are the most popular, and where their content is coming from. Again, this information can be used to help influence your own content strategy.
Crowdfire AnalyticsCrowdfire offers a wealth of analytics - whether you want a quick overview of where your social media strategy is heading, or want to deep dive into the nuances of your content's performance.
Crowdfire Analytics
The Analytics overview tells you at-a-glance info about your social media follower numbers, post amount, likes, and interactions.
Crowdfire Analytics
The Advanced Analytics in Crowdfire provides a much more detailed look about every aspect of your posting strategy, with data and charts ranging from audience growth and engagement breakdown - split into content type, and whether the content was organic or promoted.
All of these reports can be shared or downloaded as PDFs, which make them great for generating instant discussion material for your team.
The Competitor Analysis function in Crowdfire lets you search for and generate a list of your rivals; a place where you can quickly gather intel on their performance - from total page likes and engagement, plus the ability to view their Top Posts. Perfect for taking a sneaky peek and seeing what you can apply to your own content strategy.
Crowdfire Analytics
Crowdfire Reports lets you generate instant, custom-built reports for all of your connected social profiles. They take seconds to build, look great, and can be easily shared amongst your team - with all the data points you’d expect - from post performance to engagement, and more.
Crowdfire Pricing: How much does Crowdfire cost?
Crowdfire offers four paid plans, which you can subscribe to annually or monthly.
The Plus plan is best for solo-preneurs and small businesses. It costs $9.99 per month on the Monthly plan or $7.48 per month on the Annual Plan ($89.76 for the year).
The Premium Plan is best for medium-sized businesses. It costs $ 37.48 per month on the Monthly plan for $37.48 per month on the Annual plan ($449.76 for the year)
The VIP plan is best for agencies and larger businesses. It costs $99.99 per month on the Monthly plan and $74.98 per month on the Annual plan ($899.76 for the year).
The Business Plan is also suited to large business and agencies, and comes equipped with expansive social listenings tools that aren’t offered in any of the other plans. However, these tools can be accessed from any plan via add-on subscriptions (see below).
Note: An annual subscription will save you 25% over the year versus any monthly paid plan, which is quite a hefty discount and certainly worth it if you’re wanting to make the most of everything Crowdfire has to offer.
Let's break down the features available in each of Crowdfire's paid plans:
Crowdfire Plus Plan FeaturesBeing Crowdfire’s cheapest subscription, the Plus plan does come with some limitations - namely that you won’t get be able to see or reply to social mentions, and nor you won’t get access to the competitor analysis option.
It’s still a fair price for what you get and great to get a good feel for the produc, but I would think that most businesses would see these missing features as pretty essential, so worth considering an upgrade. What you do get with the Crowdfire Plus plan is as follows:
Scheduling and Publishing:
Link 5 social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Pinterest.
Schedule up to 100 posts per account
Use the Chrome extension to share articles
Setup a custom posting schedule
Share video posts to your social accounts
Bulk schedule posts for ease and speed
Schedule using Crowdfire's calendar view
Content Curation
Unlimted articles recommended for your topics
Unlimted images recommended for Instagram and Pinterest growth
Curate content from your blog, YouTube Channel, Shopify, and Etsy shops
Connect up to 5 RSS feeds
Get hashtag recommendations
Support for multiple image posts
Auto-tailored posts for each platform with a preview before posting
Crowdfire Premium Plan FeaturesCrowdfire's Premium Plan unlocks the full potential of the app. You get everything in the Plus plan, but also you can:
Link up to 10 social media accounts
Connect up to 15 RSS feeds
Track mentions for your Twitter and Facebook accounts in your team inbox
Send replies to all mentions with text, images and GIFs
Run a competitor analysis of 2 competitors per social account
Add and manage 1 profile
Add and manage 1 team member
Create up to 3 custom reports
Get access to e-mail support
Crowdfire VIP Plan FeaturesCrowdfire's VIP plan is moving into its top-tier space, so you get more of everything in the lower-tier plans. That's everything in the Premium plan, plus:
Link up to 25 social accounts
Schedule up to 800 posts per account
Link up to 25 RSS feeds
20 competitors per social account
Create up to 5 custom reports
Add and manage 2 profiles - $15 for each additional profile
Add and manage 2 team members - $10 for each additional team member
Access to Crowdfire's priority support service
Crowdfire Business PlanCrowdfire’s Business Plan is the cream of the crop, so you get more of everything available in the previous plans, plus access to a whole bunch of listening tools not available in any other plan. With the Business Plan, you’ll get access to:
Up to 50 linked accounts
Add and manage up to 5 profiles
Add and manage up to 5 team members
Add up to 15 listening keywords
Receive up to 50K listening mentions per month
Get listening updates every 12 hours
Listening Data analysis
Listening Sentiment analysis
Listening PDF, PPT & CSV Download report
Listening Interactions
Listening Social Media Reach
Listening Share of Voice
Listening Competitor Analysis
Crowdfire Add-on Listening Plans
Crowdfire Add-on Listening Plans
If you still want access to Crowdfire's powerful listening features, but don't need something as expansive as the Business plan, there is an option to add listening options as a monthly or annual add-on.
Add-on 1 is $30 per month or $22.49 per month billed annually.
For that, you’ll get:
3 Projects
9 keywords (3 per project)
5K mentions / mo
Update every 12h
Data analysis
Sentiment analysis
Limited PDF & PPT reports
Add-on 2 is $150.00 per month or $112.49 per month billed annually.
You'll get everything in Add-on 1, but with more on top including:
5 projects
15 keywords (3 per project)
50k mentions / mo
Update every hour
Unlimited PDF and PPT reports
Add-on 3 costs $280.00 per month or $209.99 per month billed annually
For that, you'll get everything in Add-on 2 plus more:
10 projects
30 keywords per project (3 per project)
100K mentions / month
Real-time updates
Data analysis
Sentiment analysis
Unlimited PDF, PPT, and CSV reports
Does Crowdfire offer a free plan or free trial?Yes! Crowdfire offers a free plan with no time limit, in case you want to try before you buy.
However, there are limitations that include that you won't be able to track mentions or send replies, there's no access to Crowdfire's competitor analysis, and no option to connect RSS Feeds. The number of posts you can schedule, crucially, is also rather limited.
With the free plan, you can:
Link up to three social accounts (choose from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram - Pinterest is not supported in the free plan).
Schedule up to 10 posts per account
Use the Crowdfire Chrome extension to schedule and share articles
Access unlimited article and image recommendations to share to your profiles
Curate content from your own blogs, YouTube Channel, and Shopify or Etsy shops
Get hashtag recommendation
Get auto-tailored posts for each social network with a preview available before posting.
1 day's data of social and advanced analytics
try crowdfire free plan Crowdfire Promo Code / DiscountCrowdfire doesn’t offer any promotional codes, but you can use its free plan for as long as you wish before deciding to upgrade.
try crowdfire free plan Crowdfire: See unfollowers and followers gone?When Crowdfire first launched, it was focused on being a "social trimmer" - allowing you to follow those who followed you and unfollow those who didn't. It was a way to streamline your audience and allow you to focus on genuine engagement with individuals.
However, a change to Instagram's API in 2017 meant that Crowdfire could no longer provide these features - including showing data like recent followers and unfollowers, and non-followers.
This development was the catalyst for Crowdfire to develop into the social media marketing tool that it is today - a way for busy people to create engaging social media content super quickly, and increase exposure to their target audience.
Crowdfire Pros and ConsSo there you have it! I played around with the Premium version of Crowdfire for several weeks, and was overall very impressed by its features and useability.
Its wealth of integrations, including for Shopify, Etsy, and TikTok will please a lot of users - and I really liked the listening tools, and how easy it is to generate ready-made reports.
If I’d improve one thing, it would be for the content curation to widen in scope - tools like Missinglettr (reviewed here) appear to do that better, but hopefully Crowdfire can up its game on this one over time.
Are you a Crowdfire user or looking to become one? Here’s that link to sign up for free and check it out:
try crowdfire free - click hereFebruary 23, 2022
10 YouTube Thumbnail Ideas to Get More Clicks and Views (25+ Examples)
Looking to create the best thumbnails for YouTube to get more views? Want to find examples and ideas to create your own custom thumbnail designs? Then keep reading!
With over 1.7 billion unique monthly visitors and 694,000 hours of video streamed on the site each day, YouTube has established itself as the most popular video platform in the world.
And if there’s one easy thing you can do to increase the potential success of your videos, it’s to include an eye-catching thumbnail to get people to click and watch. The higher your click-through rate, the better your videos will perform in the YouTube algorithm, since any interaction is a positive signal to YouTube to show your video to more people.
In this post, you will learn:
How to enable and add YouTube thumbnails
The best size dimensions for YouTube thumbnails
The best ideas to make your thumbnails clickable
How to analyze and optimize the performance of your YouTube thumbnails
… and more!
Ready? Let’s go!
What is a YouTube thumbnail?
What is a YouTube thumbnail?
A video thumbnail is a small, clickable static image alongside your videos on YouTube.
In simple terms, the main aim of a thumbnail is to get people to catch people's attention and get them to click on your video.
When you upload a video, YouTube will offer you a choice of still frames to serve as the preview image that appears alongside it in search results, but choosing one of these just won’t do if you’re serious about your video performing well. That’s where a custom thumbnail comes in.
What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?
What makes a good YouTube thumbnail?
You need to create a custom thumbnail for each and every YouTube video you upload - something that grabs the eye and communicates what your video is about at a glance.
Every YouTube thumbnail you upload should accurately portray what the video is about, - giving them an idea of what they can expect to see - while also catching the viewer's attention as they browse.
Thumbnails should also work with the video title to provide additional information about the video, without being repetitive.
Top tip: If you have existing videos whose visibility you want to improve, you can easily go into your YouTube video library and update their custom thumbnails.
Why YouTube thumbnail design is so importantYour thumbnail competing for attention against thousands of other videos, and it’s the first thing people see (before they even read the video title). Your content might be great, but if the thumbnail sucks, it can make the difference between your video being watched or ignored.
Consider the ways that people can find your videos:
By searching in the YouTube search bar
Your video appears as a related video on your channel or someone else's
In someone's subscription tab if they are subscribed to your channel
As a "Recommended for you" video whens someone is scrolling through YouTube
As part of a playlist (one you or someone else has created)
Embedded on a website or shared as a link on social media
In all of these locations, people will see your video thumbnail and title, and choose to click or not to click.
The better your video thumbnail, the more clicks it will receive. Those clicks will result in viewes and watch time, and the higher your watch time, the more YouTube will promote your video. Plus, you’re likely to gain more subscribers as a result.
YouTube thumbnail competition in search
Check out the above example for a YouTube search for “how to make pancakes”. The top two results were uploaded a year apart (the top result one year later than the second, in fact). But look at the difference in view count!
Of course, plenty of other factors go into how a YouTube video performs (title, content, promotion, etc.), but given the prominence given to thumbnails in terms of screen real estate, you can see how much uploading a really effective one matters.
In the case of these pancake ones, I think we can safely agree based on the thumbnail alone, that the top result has an image that is bright and sharp, shows the finished result really well, and makes the food look delicious and clickable!
Compare that to videos two and three, whose thumbnails aren’t as attractive - the latter banking on the recognition of celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, to drive clicks.
YouTube thumbnails in Google search results
Thumbnails show up in different sizes and formats all across YouTube and outside of it (such is in Google search results and on social media), so you need to make yours is a strong, vibrant image that pops no matter what size it is. In fact, 70% of global YouTube watch time happens on smartphones and tablets.
And speaking of size…
The Best YouTube Thumbnail Size and DimensionsYour custom thumbnail image should be as large as possible, since it will be used as the preview image in the site’s embedded player. YouTube recommends your custom thumbnails:
Have a resolution of 1280x720 (with a minimum width of 640 pixels).
Be uploaded in image formats such as JPG, GIF, or PNG.
Remain under the 2MB limit.
Try to use a 16:9 aspect ratio as it's the most used in YouTube players and previews.
Despite YouTube's recommendations above, going with a much higher resolution will future proof your videos:
HD – 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels
4K – 3840 pixels x 2160 pixels
These measurements are important if you’re creating custom thumbnails in software like Photoshop, but Canva’s YouTube thumbnail template will give you the ideal size for YouTube thumbnail design one click.
If you want to re-size your design for any reason, that’s easy to do from the Resize menu. And when you’re done, you can save and download as a JPG, GIF, or PNG.
How to Enable YouTube Custom Thumbnails
How to enable YouTube thumbnails
To enable custom thumbnail uploads for your YouTube videos, first ensure that your YouTube channel is eligible. Here's how:
1. Open YouTube Studio:
2. Click the Settings menu (cog icon) on the left side
3. Open the Channel setting and look for the Feature Eligibility tab.
Both Default Features and Features that require phone verification have to be Enabled before you can upload custom video thumbnails.
To verify your YouTube channel, just add a phone number to your account and follow the verification process.
The best YouTube thumbnail maker tool: Canva
The best YouTube thumbnail maker tool
The quickest and easiest way to start designing effective YouTube thumbnails (especially if you’re not design savvy) is to use a template tool.
There are a ton of options out there, but I personally use Canva for all my YouTube thumbnails and other social media graphics, videos, audio, etc. It’s been my go-to design tool for many years.
Canva offers thousands of YouTube thumbnail templates, millions of images and graphics, and just a ton of inspiration in a super easy-to-use tool.
You can get a flavour for what’s on offer in the YouTube thumbnail templates section of Canva in the image above.
Note how you can filter the YouTube thumbnail templates by style, theme, and colour. And best of all, you can pick and choose elements from one or several templates to create something that is on-brand and eye-catching for you.
[image error]Creating YouTube thumbnails in Canva
Canva’s free option is pretty decent on its own, but for premium templates and design options to help you really stand out, I recommend Canva Pro.
Canva background removal tool
Canva background removal tool
One super cool option only available in Canva Pro is the background removal feature. This allows you to take a photo of yourself and then place it on any background of your choice, removing any background scene in a simple click.
try canva pro free for 30 days YouTube Thumbnail Design Ideas and ExamplesNow that you know how important YouTube thumbnails are to get your videos noticed and watched, let’s get down to showing you some of the best tips, tricks, and best practices for designing them.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 1: plan your thumbnail image before you film
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 1: plan your thumbnail image before you film
The thumbnail image many YouTube videos uses a still image from the video itself, but you might not always be able to grab the exact sharp and clear image that you want from in the middle of the action.
So, before you start recording, think about what you want your thumbnail image to be and plan to pause and grab it during filming - several shots from different angles. This could be an expression on your face, the before and after shot of a DIY project, a top-down shot of a cooked meal, etc.
The best view in London. Show the Shard.
How to make a banoffee pie. Show the pie.
The hardest LEGO build ever. Show the Eiffel Tower.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 2: keep your design simple
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 2: keep your design simple
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when designing YouTube thumbnails is to make them the design too complicated.
If you try to convey too many ideas or emotions or ideas in the thumbnail image, it will be cluttered, unattractive, and attract less clicks.
If someone has to spend more than a second or two to decode your thumbnail, the chances of them clicking on it diminish.
So, focus on the central idea of your video for its thumbnail.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 3: use exaggeration and human faces to elicit an emotional response
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 3: use exaggeration and human faces to elicit an emotional response
When a viewer’s eyeballs clock your thumbnail image, you want it to stop them in their tracks and pay attention. One of the best ways to do this is with exaggeration - whether that be an emotion on someone’s face or in the scenery shown in the thumbnail.
We know that the "quietest room in the world" that Ryan Trahan endures isn't going to look anywhere near as dramatic as in the thumbnail. And his pained expression isn’t likely something he is going to show for the entire time.
And we know that tasting foods people don’t like isn’t going to leave someone with the most joyous of expressions, but we know it’s not always going to be as dramatic as the thumbnail shows.
These examples draw the viewer’s attention are exaggerated and click-baity, but the videos do deliver on what the title says, and so viewers don't mind.
Large, zoomed- in faces work better than faces that are further away for showing emotion, but a mid-shot can give more room to add in important video elements.
Consider the two examples from Mr Beast above, in which a zoomed-in face and mid-range shot are used to brilliant effect.
Let’s look at some more extremes of emotion that work for effective thumbnails, sometimes called YouTube Face - clickbait attaining human form:
Fear
Here, we get a juxtaposition between a frightening game and Daz Games’ exaggerated reaction. Is he that scared of the game? Unlikely, but the degree of fear he shows in the thumbnail makes it clickable.
Anger
Here, we see the anger in Carter Sharer’s girlfriend’s expression. The thumbnail catches the eye, and the title works to explain why she’s so mad.
Disgust
Here’s the SidemenReacts channel uses disgust as an extreme emotion to stop people scrolling and encourage them to click and watch. Notice the contrast added to KSI’s face to further exaggerate the emotion.
Happiness
[image error]Here, Atrioc focuses on the happiness of a marriage proposal in his thumbnail. Notice the contrast between the foreground and background - the latter blurred as a teaser for what the video includes.
Sadness
The sadness and shock on the faces of these two men contrasts with the black background to make the thumbnail stand out, and the title helps to provide context.
Shock
Faze Rug’s reaction to his new house purchase is obviously over the top, but as a thumbnail showing shock and surprise, it works to be super clickable.
Worry
Here’s that juxtaposition between an emotion and a still from the video, with a red arrow to draw your attention to it for good measure. Here, worry is the expression used to help draw viewers into clicking.
Despair
Here, we don’t see Kamila Valieva’s face, but we can tell from the hands over her face that she is despairing over her ice skating performance. We’ll have to watch to see what exactly happened to make her feel like that.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 4: Convey action and energy
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 4: Convey action and energy
This tip links to the one above, but instead of using a human face to connect with viewers, conveying action and energy is another way to grab the attention of users.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 5: Use a text overlay [image error]YouTube Thumbnail design tip 5: Use a text overlay
As well as a YouTube video title and thumbnail image working together, a text overlay in your thumbnail can create a powerful trio of video marketing elements.
Your thumbnail text can work as a catchy teaser for your video, or to help provide more context for the viewer.
However, don’t simply repeat the text you have used in your title. Instead, use a maximum of 2-4 keywords to highlight what your video is all about or what viewers can expect to see or feel when they watch, even if they haven’t read the title.
If you do use text, make the font really large so that it can be read on mobile and desktop devices. Also consider your font colour carefully, so that it contrasts well against your main thumbnail image and is easy to read.
Using text in your thumbnail image isn’t essential, however. Sometimes an image alone is more striking and effective on its own; it really depends on the kind of video and message you are trying to portray.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 6: the best font to use for thumbnails
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 6: the best font to use
In general, sans serif fonts such as Impact, Helvetica, Bebas and Ariel work best for YouTube thumbnail text because their clean lines make them easy to read at large and small sizes. The small details of serif fonts make them trickier to read at smaller sizes, and against certain backgrounds.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 6: the best font to use
Handwritten fonts provide another conundrum. They aren’t very easy to read on small YouTube thumbnails, but they do add a personal touch, which might work with the videos you are posting. If you do want to use a handwritten font, try and find one that is as easy to read as possible (test it at different sizes), and limit the number of characters you include.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 7: use contrast to draw the eye
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 7: use contrast to draw the eye
In everyday photos, too much contrast can make an image appear unnatural and unattractive. But in YouTube thumbnails, high contrast makes the image more noticeable.
As well as contrast in the image as a whole, juxtaposing two contrasting colours can work to help your thumbnail pop off the screen and catch people’s attention.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 7: use contrast to draw the eye
Or, you might choose to use a contrasting effect around people or objects in the thumbnail itself to make them stand out more prominently.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 7: use contrast to draw the eye
Sometimes thumbnails with just one background colour make a really great option. They're really easy to create in Canva and the contrast effect that you can make can be really striking. Single colour backgrounds also mean that your text overlay is really easy to read.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 8: show the end result
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 8: show the end result
As I mentioned above, planning thumbnails for videos that show the before and after of a process is a really great way to produce eye-catching thumbnails.
Showing the end result is also a great way to grab viewers’ attention because they will be intrueged about how you made it happen.
Cooking recipe thumbnails are the most obvious example of this - a close-up shot of a delicious meal will tempt plenty of people to click. But as in the example above for hair braiding, it can work for a whole host of video types.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 9: play with perspective
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 9: play with perspective
Artists have experimented with perspective and distortion for centuries, and that trend continues on YouTube.
Perspective can be used creatively in YouTube thumbnails to distort the normal measurement of objects in order to make them stand out - making them big or small, further away or closer to the screen. This visual illusion can be used to make the thumbnail objects jump out of the screen and become more clickable.
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 10: brand consistency
YouTube Thumbnail design tip 10: brand consistency
Consider branding your thumbnail images with consistent text, images and style - especially those that form part of a single series.
When your subscribers recoginise a video as one from your channel, they are more likely to click and watch it - and consistent branding makes that much more likely.
Most creators customize their YouTube thumbnails with their brand colours, the creator's face, or a specific text overlay style.
Cultaholic makes videos about the world of professional wrestling. Its thumbnail design in format, font, and colour styling make its videos instantly recognisable in people’s feeds.
YouTube Thumbnails Analytics with AnalyticsOnce you've started publishing YouTube videos with enhanced thumbnail design, it's important that you use YouTube's Analytics to track their performance.
YouTube thumbnail analytics and the Reach tabUse YouTube Analytics Reach tab to understand your video's traffic. You'll see the number of times that your video thumbnails were shown on YouTube, and how those thumbnail impressions turned into views (the click-through rate) and watch time.
YouTube thumbnails analytics
To find this data:
1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Click on the Content tab
3. Select the analytics (chart icon) next to the specific video you want to see data about.
YouTube thumbnail analytics
The key metrics card at the top of the Reach tab gives you an overview of your impressions. The card also gives you info on click-through rate, views and unique viewers over time. This data is available within a few hours of publishing your video.
If your click-through rate is high, but your average view duration is low: a lot of people are clicking (good thumbnail!), but they aren't watching the whole video (issue with your content).
If your click-through rate is low, but your average view duration is high: not many people are clicking the thumbnail (thumbnail design issue), but those that do are sticking around to watch your videos (great content).
YouTube thumbnail analytics and watch time
YouTube watch time duration in analytics
If you then switch back to the Overview tab of the video analytics, scroll down to see the Average Percent Viewed chart.
If you notice comparative to the number of impressions and click-through rate, do you have a long average view duration or is it low? This will help you evaluate how your video and its thumbnail is doing.
Within the first 30 seconds of this graph, is there a steep decline in viewership? Retaining around half of viewers at 30 seconds is pretty typical, but if your stats show worse, there could be an issue.
Have a think whether it is your content or thumbnail/title (i.e. what they promise viewers who click) that is the problem.
YouTube thumbnail analytics and trends
Most popular videos in YouTube analytics
You might also be able to identify trends in your channel content and thumbnail performance that you may not be aware of.
Go to the main Analytics page for your whole channel (not video specific as above.
Scroll right to the bottom of the overview tab of your video analytics and click "SEE MORE”.
On the chart page that appears, click “COMPARE TO…” in the top-right and choose “First 24 hours video performance”.
In the drop-down menu above the new chart that appears, select “Impressions click-through rate”.
Look at the thumbnails in this graph and notice what videos are performing well, and their thumbnails. Do you notice a trend in the images used, facial expressions, colours, or fonts?
What YouTube thumbnails get the most clicks?
As we’ve discussed above, there are a wealth of different strategies to help optimise your YouTube thumbnail to encourage more clicks. Which thumbnail ideas work best for you depends on your content and audience, but in general the thumbnails that get the most clicks are those that catch people’s attention and make people think “I HAVE to watch this video.”
Which color thumbnail is best for YouTube?Again, colour choice is subjective based on your content and audience - there is no one best solution. However, we can say that high contrast colour combinations help to make YouTube thumbnails “pop” off the screen and better grab the attention of viewers.
What is the best YouTube thumbnail maker?There are a ton of design tools for YouTube thumbnails, but my recommendation for its wealth of templates, graphics, background remover feature, and ease of use is Canva. Click here to try Canva Pro free for 30 days.
Why do YouTube Thumbnails have red arrows?The use of red arrows in YouTube thumbnails has become extremely popular as a tactic to draw people’s attention to a certain object or action within the thumbnail image. Red arrows do have a bit of a reputation for being related to click-bait-y videos. So if you do use them, make sure you deliver on what the thumbnail promises.
Over to youWhich YouTube thumbnail ideas did you like the best? Are there any strategies for getting more clicks from thumbnails that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
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December 3, 2021
5 Best AI Text to Speech Voice Generator Tools (2022)
Are you looking for the best AI text-to-speech tool for your videos, adverts, or training course?
AI voice generator tools let you instantly create natural voiceovers and turn your scripts into videos at the click of a button.
There are a growing number of AI voice generators on the market, so to help you choose the best one for you, I’ve put them through their paces and given my thoughts below.
I used the same short script to put each tool through its paces, to make comparison easier.
Ready? Let’s go!
Short on time? Overview and my top pickKeep reading for a full breakdown of the AI text generator tools I’ve texted, or check out the table below for a brief overview - click the names to visit each tool.
ToolProsConsFree Trial?Paid PriceBest ForMurf.ai
(TOP PICK)- Combine voiceover with images and video
- Super easy to use editor
- Generous free trial
- Affordable pricingLimited backing music libraryYes. 10 minutes render of
premium offering access.From $13 p/m for Basic to
$83 per month for Enterprise.All-round winner: best for the majority of people.
Play.ht- Intuitive text editor and UI
- Ready-made templates
- Tons of voice optionsNo image or video optionsYes. Up to 500 free words.From $14.25 p/m for Personal
to $149.25 for Business.Customisation: Play with tons of sound, pitch,
pronounciation, etc. options. Lovo.ai- Discord community and support
- Generous free plan
- Janky UI
- AI voices quite robotic
Yes. Unlimted conversion,
sharing and listening for
12 months.$17.49 p/m for Personal or
$49.99 for FreelancerHard to recommend: Both Murf.ai and Play.ht
offer better for a similar price.Synthesia.io- Amazing AI avatars
- Extensive voice library
- Text and image editor
- Not cheap for those on a budgetNo.$30 p/m for Personal or
custom Enterprise pricing.Professionals: Fantastic video results, but
it comes at a price.Spik.ai- Free text-to-speech AI voiceovers
- Quck and easy to use
- Limited to 1,000 characters
- Results are poorFree forever.3-day trial then:
- 1 month: $14.99
- 12 months: $59.99Quick and dirty results: Kind of get
what you expect for nothing!
Realistic-sounding artificial-intelligence voice generators are super useful in a variety of situations:
When you're short of time and need to produce voiceovers quickly.
If you don't have the confidence or tools to record quality voiceover audio.
They're also a good alternative to hiring a human voice actor to produce a voiceover for you, which can take a lot of time and money.
AI voice generators remove the middle man from working with voice actors as well - no more back and forth for revisions.
Whether you use AI voiceovers for ads, podcasts, online courses, or something else, they're great for producing content that keeps your audience engaged.
MIT Technology Review says that AI voiceovers are more realistic than ever and that "AI voices have grown particularly popular among brands looking to maintain a consistent sound in millions of interactions with customers."
And the global text-to-speech market is projected to increase from $1.94 billion in 2020 to $5.61 billion by 2028.
Best text-to-voice AI generator #1: Murf.aiMurf.ai's tagline promises to let you "Make studio-quality voice overs in minutes" for podcasts, videos, and all your professional presentations.
What makes Murf stand out is that it allows you to place your voiceover on top of images or video, which you can upload, making for a more engaging final result. You can upload the images and video, or even import videos from YouTube and Vimeo.
Murf.ai text editor
Murf.ai key features:
A vast library of voices - with the option to choose from over 110 voices in 15+ languages.
A voice maker that allows you to upload video, music, or images and sync it with the voice of your choice.
The ability to tinker with pitch, punctuations and emphasis to adjust the tone of the AI voices to your pleasing.
Murf.ai supports both audio and text based inputs, so you can add your text or audio file to instantly convert them into the voice of your choice.
An integrated grammar assistant to write and edit impressive scripts, and turn them into powerful voiceovers.
Murf.ai voice library
Does Murf.ai have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Murf.ai has a free plan. Just sign in to the Studio and create a project, where you'll get 10 minutes of voice-over render time free in your account to test voices and other features in the Studio. You’ll be able to share a link to the audio/video output, but you won’t be able to download it.
What are Murf.ai’s pricing options?
Murf.ai pricing
Murf has three paid plans, costing from $13 per month for individual users up to $83 per month for teams. These prices are for the yearly plan, on which you save 33% over paying monthly.
The Basic plan for a single user gets you:
24 hours of voice generation per year
Access to 60 voices in 10 languages
Commercial usage rights
Chat and e-mail support
Opt for the Professional plan and you'll get
96 hours of voice generation per year
48 hours of transcription per year
Access to 120+ voices in 19 languages
Recorded voice editing
Voice changer
Up to 3 users
Priority support
The Enterprise plan ($83+ per month) offers all of the above, but with custom voice generation and transcription time, collaboration time, an account manager, and more.
Note: Murf.ai also offers a one-off $9 plan, which gets you 30 minutes of voice over time to play with, until you’re ready to upgrade.
Murf.ai AI voice generator example Try murf.ai - click here Murf.ai pros and consFor the price point, Murf really impressed me with its offering. The voices sound great, it’s super easy to use, and there are tons of options to customise your voiceover.
What I like about Murf.ai
Lets you easily place your voiceovers along with images and videos
Realistic and natural-sounding AI avatars
Generous free trial
Easy-to-use studio with drag and drop timeline, and tons of voices to choose from
What I don’t like about Murf.ai
No in-built video tools (adding text/images natively)
Backing music gallery a little limited at present
Best text-to-voice AI generator #2: Play.htPlay.ht promises to generate realistic Text to Speech (TTS) audio with its AI Voice Generator and the best synthetic voices from Google, Amazon, IBM & Microsoft. You can instantly convert text into natural-sounding speech and download the results as MP3 and WAV audio files.
Play.ht text editor
Play.ht key features:
A library of 570+ natural-sounding voices with human-like intonation in 60+ languages and accents.
Type, paste or import text and instantly turn it into audio with its online Text to Speech editor. Enhance the audio with speech styles, pronunciations and SSML tags.
Create conversation-like voiceovers by using different voices for sentences in the same audio file.
Play.ht project options
Does Play.ht have a free trial or free plan?Yes, you can experience the full version of Play.ht with a free trial. You get 100 free words to try initially, then up to 500 when you verify your e-mail address.
You won't be able to download any audio as part of a free trial, but you can share/embed it as I have below.
What are Play.ht's pricing options?
Play.ht pricing
Play.ht has four paid plans, costing from $14.25 per month for individual users up to $149.25 per month for business. These prices are for the yearly plan, on which you save 25% over paying monthly.
The Personal plan costs $14.25 / month (great for learning, proof-reading, school projects, etc.). For that, you get 240,000 words, standard Voices, unlimited previews, and unlimited downloads.
Upgrade to the Professional plan for $29.25 / month, and your word limit increases to 600,000. You'll also get access to premium voices, commercial rights, podcast hosting, and customizable audio players.
This plan is best for content creators, bloggers and freelancers with commercial intent.
The Growth plan for $74.25 / month has a 2,400,000 word limit. You'll get everything in the Professional plan, plus automated audio creation, a pronounciations library, white-lablelled audio players, and team access.
This plan is best for teams and small companies looking to grow with audio.
The Business plan is best for companies and agencies looking to create audio at scale. You'll get everything in the Growth plan, along with a 6,000,000 word limit. You'll also receive bulk audio creatoin, multiple teams/website access, multiple podcast hosting, the ability to re-brand and re-sell, and priority tech support.
Play.ht AI voice generator examplePlay.ht pros and consPlay.ht has a simple and straightforward interface, making it really easy to use. Quick options within the editor like changing the voice style, speed, and word pronounciations are a very handy addition.
Other nice features include the ability to instantly add audio to Medium posts, and the option to distribute audio recordings direct to major podcasting platforms like iTunes and Spotify.
What I like about Murf.ai
Sleek and modern AI voice generation tool
UI makes it easy to change voice options on the fly
Generous free trial
Easy-to-use studio with drag and drop timeline, and tons of voices to choose from
What I don’t like about Murf.ai
Text-heavy UI might be a bit hard-going for some
No option to pair voiceover with image or video
try play.ht - click here Best text-to-voice AI generator #3: Lovo.aiLovo calls itself a next-generation AI voiceover and text to speech platform with human-like voices, perfect for animations, e-learning, audio ads, audiobooks, and games.
Its userbase boasts over 80,000 creators in 40+ countries, with over 7 million voiceovers created at the time of writing.
Lovo.ai text editor
Lovo.ai key features:
180+ voice skins in 33 languages, each with unique traits to perfectly fit your content.
Create voiceovers in 3 simple steps using Lovo studio.
Change tempo, add emphases to words, and play around with pauses to make the voices even livelier and more natural.
Lovo.ai voice library
Does Lovo.ai have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Lovo.ai does offer a free trial. For the first 12 months of use, it includes:
Unlimited Conversion, Listening & Sharing
3 Downloads per month
3-day Access to Premium Voices
Personal use only - and you’ll also have to credit Lovo every time you share the result - no commercial rights allowed.
What are Lovo.ai's pricing options?
Lovo.ai pricing
Lovi'.ai offers two paid plans, which are best for businesses looking to monetize voiceovers:
The Personal plan costs $17.49 per month paid anually, and features:
Unlimited conversion, listening and sharing
The ability to add background music
Unlimted access to all voices
The ability to converty up to 15,000 characters per download
Commercial rights
Up to 30 downloads per month
The Freelancer plan features everything in the Personal plan, but offers up to 100 downloads per month. This will cost you $49.99 per month if paid anually.
Lovo.ai AI voice generator exampleLovo.ai pros and consThe most attractive feature of Lovo is its generous free plan option, but if you’re a professional or business looking for a AI text-to-speech solution, it’s more difficult to recommend it above the likes of Murf.ai and Play.ht, amongst others.
Mostly this is because Lovo’s interface is a little bit janky, and the quality of voices isn’t as natural or realistic as its competitors.
What I like about Lovo.ai
Generous free plan with unlimted conversion, listening and sharing (minus commercial rights)
Discord channel to find updates, events, give feedback, report bugs, and find sneak peaks on new features and voices.
What I don’t like about Lovo.ai
Audio conversion can be slow and UI isn't as sleek as other tools.
Quality of AI voices not as realistic as competitors.
try lovo.ai - click here Best text-to-voice AI generator #4: Synthesia.ioSynthesia.io is the most comprehensive tool for creating professional AI videos on this list, and the pricing reflects that.
Rather than just audio or a video player with images, it allows you to generate videos with realistic AI human avatars from text in 50+ languages.
It counts some huge companies amongst its 4,500+ clients, including Nike, Google, and the BBC.
Synthesia.io text and video editor
Synthesia key features:
Choose from 40+ video avatars or create your own custom avatar. No actors or cameras needed.
Videos can be up to 30 minutes long and you can upload custom image or video backgrounds.
You can use the synthetic voices that are provided or upload your own audio clips.
Add additional text, image or shape elements to your videos directly in Synthesia - no need to switch between different tools.
Does Synthesia.io have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Synthesia.io does offer a brief free trial of its product. You can create a 200-character long sample video, which it will produce using one of its human avatars.
What are Synthesia’s pricing options?
Synthesia pricing
Synthesia has two paid options, one for Personal and one for Corporate use.
The Personal plan costs $30 per month (no annual discount available) and includes:
10 video credits / month (1 video credit = 1 minute of video; videos can be up to 10 minutes long).
50+ languages, 40+ avatars and 15+ templates
Custom backgrounds and background music
MP4 downloads and video sharing pages
Up to 6 slides per video
... and more.
There is an added fee for a custom avatar of $1000.00.
You'll need to chat to Synthesia about setting up a Corporate plan, which gets you everything in the Personal plan, plus:
Up to 50 slides per video
Priority support
Audio uploads and custom fonts
Premium built-in avatars
… and more!
Synthesia avatars
Synthesia AI voice generator exampleSynthesia pros and consAs I mentioned in the introduction to Synthesia above, its head and shoulders above the competition in terms of video offering, while its voices are on par with Murf.ai and Play.ht.
You don’t have to use its video options if you don’t like - you can do image or audio-only too, but if you need a realistic on-screen avatar for your videos, than Synthesia is a very solid option.
And while the monthly pricing is more than double of some of the other options on this list, you probably already know if the investment is going to be worth it for you.
What I like about Synthesia.ai
Simple and intuitive video and editor with text and image tools
Realistic and natural-sounding AI avatars
Shareable video pages with custom call-to-action button
Easy to create custom templates and slides
What I don’t like about Synthesia.ai
Can't change volume of background music
Not the cheapest AI text to voice generator our there (but you get what you pay for!)
try synthesia - click here Best free text-to-voice AI generator: Spik.aiIf you’re looking for a completely free, no-frills option to convert text into AI speech, there’s plenty of tools out there - including Spik.ai.
Your options are limited - 300 characters per recording, rising to 1,000 characters if you sign up (free) - and a choice of only 6 English voices.
The results aren’t amazing either, if I’m honest, but not bad for nothing. You can then download the result to do with as you please.
All of the tools above will give you much better AI text-to-speech options, but for comparison’s sake, I think Spik is worth including.
Free text-to-voice AI generator exampleAI voice generator FAQsStill confused about AI text-to-speech generators and tools? Here are some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Are AI text-to-speech tools realistic?AI voice generators have come a long way in recent years. Rather than sounding like a robot, many tools can produce narration that is free-flowing and natural, and available in a variety of accents.
Unless you're listening super closely, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a modern AI voice and a real human.
Are AI voiceovers as good as a human?While AI voice generators are, in many cases, almost indistinguishable from a human voice, they aren't perfect.
For instance, they're unlikely to deliver the performance of a human voice actor if your script demands strong emotions like anger or sadness, which require a specific tone of voice to deliver the message.
Also, many businesses build their brands on the back of a recognizable voice - something immediately recognizable by the audience. An AI voice generator won't give you this, since you'll be sharing a "stock" voice, which is also being used by hundreds of other companies.
Must-have features in an AI text-to-voice toolMore AI voice generator tools are coming to market all the time - some better than others. However, at a minimum, you should expect to find a tool that is easy to use, offers a plethora of high-quality voices in a variety of accents.
Other things to consider include AI voiceover tools with an option to customize and enhance the recording, easy sharing options (downloads and links), plus - if it's important to you - one that offers voices in a variety of languages.
Over to youWhich AI voiceover text-to-speech tool did you like the best? Which do you use for your business? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6
Follow Me:
http://www.facebook.com/500socialmediatips/
http://www.pinterest.com/andrewmacarthy
http://www.twitter.com/andrewmacarthy
5 Best AI Text to Speech Voice Generator Tools Reviewed (2022)
Are you looking for the best AI text-to-speech tool for your videos, adverts, or training course?
AI voice generator tools let you instantly create natural voiceovers and turn your scripts into videos at the click of a button.
There are a growing number of AI voice generators on the market, so to help you choose the best one for you, I’ve put them through their paces and given my thoughts below.
I used the same short script to put each tool through its paces, to make comparison easier.
Ready? Let’s go!
Short on time? Overview and my top pickKeep reading for a full breakdown of the AI text generator tools I’ve texted, or check out the table below for a brief overview - click the names to visit each tool.
ToolProsConsFree Trial?Paid PriceBest ForMurf.ai
(TOP PICK)- Combine voiceover with images and video
- Super easy to use editor
- Generous free trial
- Affordable pricingLimited backing music libraryYes. 10 minutes render of
premium offering access.From $13 p/m for Basic to
$83 per month for Enterprise.All-round winner: best for the majority of people.
Play.ht- Intuitive text editor and UI
- Ready-made templates
- Tons of voice optionsNo image or video optionsYes. Up to 500 free words.From $14.25 p/m for Personal
to $149.25 for Business.Customisation: Play with tons of sound, pitch,
pronounciation, etc. options. Lovo.ai- Discord community and support
- Generous free plan
- Janky UI
- AI voices quite robotic
Yes. Unlimted conversion,
sharing and listening for
12 months.$17.49 p/m for Personal or
$49.99 for FreelancerHard to recommend: Both Murf.ai and Play.ht
offer better for a similar price.Synthesia.io- Amazing AI avatars
- Extensive voice library
- Text and image editor
- Not cheap for those on a budgetNo.$30 p/m for Personal or
custom Enterprise pricing.Professionals: Fantastic video results, but
it comes at a price.Spik.ai- Free text-to-speech AI voiceovers
- Quck and easy to use
- Limited to 1,000 characters
- Results are poorFree forever.3-day trial then:
- 1 month: $14.99
- 12 months: $59.99Quick and dirty results: Kind of get
what you expect for nothing!
Realistic-sounding artificial-intelligence voice generators are super useful in a variety of situations:
When you're short of time and need to produce voiceovers quickly.
If you don't have the confidence or tools to record quality voiceover audio.
They're also a good alternative to hiring a human voice actor to produce a voiceover for you, which can take a lot of time and money.
AI voice generators remove the middle man from working with voice actors as well - no more back and forth for revisions.
Whether you use AI voiceovers for ads, podcasts, online courses, or something else, they're great for producing content that keeps your audience engaged.
MIT Technology Review says that AI voiceovers are more realistic than ever and that "AI voices have grown particularly popular among brands looking to maintain a consistent sound in millions of interactions with customers."
And the global text-to-speech market is projected to increase from $1.94 billion in 2020 to $5.61 billion by 2028.
Best text-to-voice AI generator #1: Murf.aiMurf.ai's tagline promises to let you "Make studio-quality voice overs in minutes" for podcasts, videos, and all your professional presentations.
What makes Murf stand out is that it allows you to place your voiceover on top of images or video, which you can upload, making for a more engaging final result. You can upload the images and video, or even import videos from YouTube and Vimeo.
Murf.ai text editor
Murf.ai key features:
A vast library of voices - with the option to choose from over 110 voices in 15+ languages.
A voice maker that allows you to upload video, music, or images and sync it with the voice of your choice.
The ability to tinker with pitch, punctuations and emphasis to adjust the tone of the AI voices to your pleasing.
Murf.ai supports both audio and text based inputs, so you can add your text or audio file to instantly convert them into the voice of your choice.
An integrated grammar assistant to write and edit impressive scripts, and turn them into powerful voiceovers.
Murf.ai voice library
Does Murf.ai have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Murf.ai has a free plan. Just sign in to the Studio and create a project, where you'll get 10 minutes of voice-over render time free in your account to test voices and other features in the Studio. You’ll be able to share a link to the audio/video output, but you won’t be able to download it.
What are Murf.ai’s pricing options?
Murf.ai pricing
Murf has three paid plans, costing from $13 per month for individual users up to $83 per month for teams. These prices are for the yearly plan, on which you save 33% over paying monthly.
The Basic plan for a single user gets you:
24 hours of voice generation per year
Access to 60 voices in 10 languages
Commercial usage rights
Chat and e-mail support
Opt for the Professional plan and you'll get
96 hours of voice generation per year
48 hours of transcription per year
Access to 120+ voices in 19 languages
Recorded voice editing
Voice changer
Up to 3 users
Priority support
The Enterprise plan ($83+ per month) offers all of the above, but with custom voice generation and transcription time, collaboration time, an account manager, and more.
Note: Murf.ai also offers a one-off $9 plan, which gets you 30 minutes of voice over time to play with, until you’re ready to upgrade.
Murf.ai AI voice generator example Try murf.ai - click here Murf.ai pros and consFor the price point, Murf really impressed me with its offering. The voices sound great, it’s super easy to use, and there are tons of options to customise your voiceover.
What I like about Murf.ai
Lets you easily place your voiceovers along with images and videos
Realistic and natural-sounding AI avatars
Generous free trial
Easy-to-use studio with drag and drop timeline, and tons of voices to choose from
What I don’t like about Murf.ai
No in-built video tools (adding text/images natively)
Backing music gallery a little limited at present
Best text-to-voice AI generator #2: Play.htPlay.ht promises to generate realistic Text to Speech (TTS) audio with its AI Voice Generator and the best synthetic voices from Google, Amazon, IBM & Microsoft. You can instantly convert text into natural-sounding speech and download the results as MP3 and WAV audio files.
Play.ht text editor
Play.ht key features:
A library of 570+ natural-sounding voices with human-like intonation in 60+ languages and accents.
Type, paste or import text and instantly turn it into audio with its online Text to Speech editor. Enhance the audio with speech styles, pronunciations and SSML tags.
Create conversation-like voiceovers by using different voices for sentences in the same audio file.
Play.ht project options
Does Play.ht have a free trial or free plan?Yes, you can experience the full version of Play.ht with a free trial. You get 100 free words to try initially, then up to 500 when you verify your e-mail address.
You won't be able to download any audio as part of a free trial, but you can share/embed it as I have below.
What are Play.ht's pricing options?
Play.ht pricing
Play.ht has four paid plans, costing from $14.25 per month for individual users up to $149.25 per month for business. These prices are for the yearly plan, on which you save 25% over paying monthly.
The Personal plan costs $14.25 / month (great for learning, proof-reading, school projects, etc.). For that, you get 240,000 words, standard Voices, unlimited previews, and unlimited downloads.
Upgrade to the Professional plan for $29.25 / month, and your word limit increases to 600,000. You'll also get access to premium voices, commercial rights, podcast hosting, and customizable audio players.
This plan is best for content creators, bloggers and freelancers with commercial intent.
The Growth plan for $74.25 / month has a 2,400,000 word limit. You'll get everything in the Professional plan, plus automated audio creation, a pronounciations library, white-lablelled audio players, and team access.
This plan is best for teams and small companies looking to grow with audio.
The Business plan is best for companies and agencies looking to create audio at scale. You'll get everything in the Growth plan, along with a 6,000,000 word limit. You'll also receive bulk audio creatoin, multiple teams/website access, multiple podcast hosting, the ability to re-brand and re-sell, and priority tech support.
Play.ht AI voice generator examplePlay.ht pros and consPlay.ht has a simple and straightforward interface, making it really easy to use. Quick options within the editor like changing the voice style, speed, and word pronounciations are a very handy addition.
Other nice features include the ability to instantly add audio to Medium posts, and the option to distribute audio recordings direct to major podcasting platforms like iTunes and Spotify.
What I like about Murf.ai
Sleek and modern AI voice generation tool
UI makes it easy to change voice options on the fly
Generous free trial
Easy-to-use studio with drag and drop timeline, and tons of voices to choose from
What I don’t like about Murf.ai
Text-heavy UI might be a bit hard-going for some
No option to pair voiceover with image or video
try play.ht - click here Best text-to-voice AI generator #3: Lovo.aiLovo calls itself a next-generation AI voiceover and text to speech platform with human-like voices, perfect for animations, e-learning, audio ads, audiobooks, and games.
Its userbase boasts over 80,000 creators in 40+ countries, with over 7 million voiceovers created at the time of writing.
Lovo.ai text editor
Lovo.ai key features:
180+ voice skins in 33 languages, each with unique traits to perfectly fit your content.
Create voiceovers in 3 simple steps using Lovo studio.
Change tempo, add emphases to words, and play around with pauses to make the voices even livelier and more natural.
Lovo.ai voice library
Does Lovo.ai have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Lovo.ai does offer a free trial. For the first 12 months of use, it includes:
Unlimited Conversion, Listening & Sharing
3 Downloads per month
3-day Access to Premium Voices
Personal use only - and you’ll also have to credit Lovo every time you share the result - no commercial rights allowed.
What are Lovo.ai's pricing options? [image error]Lovo.ai pricing
Lovi'.ai offers two paid plans, which are best for businesses looking to monetize voiceovers:
The Personal plan costs $17.49 per month paid anually, and features:
Unlimited conversion, listening and sharing
The ability to add background music
Unlimted access to all voices
The ability to converty up to 15,000 characters per download
Commercial rights
Up to 30 downloads per month
The Freelancer plan features everything in the Personal plan, but offers up to 100 downloads per month. This will cost you $49.99 per month if paid anually.
Lovo.ai AI voice generator exampleLovo.ai pros and consThe most attractive feature of Lovo is its generous free plan option, but if you’re a professional or business looking for a AI text-to-speech solution, it’s more difficult to recommend it above the likes of Murf.ai and Play.ht, amongst others.
Mostly this is because Lovo’s interface is a little bit janky, and the quality of voices isn’t as natural or realistic as its competitors.
What I like about Lovo.ai
Generous free plan with unlimted conversion, listening and sharing (minus commercial rights)
Discord channel to find updates, events, give feedback, report bugs, and find sneak peaks on new features and voices.
What I don’t like about Lovo.ai
Audio conversion can be slow and UI isn't as sleek as other tools.
Quality of AI voices not as realistic as competitors.
try lovo.ai - click here Best text-to-voice AI generator #4: Synthesia.ioSynthesia.io is the most comprehensive tool for creating professional AI videos on this list, and the pricing reflects that.
Rather than just audio or a video player with images, it allows you to generate videos with realistic AI human avatars from text in 50+ languages.
It counts some huge companies amongst its 4,500+ clients, including Nike, Google, and the BBC.
Synthesia.io text and video editor
Synthesia key features:
Choose from 40+ video avatars or create your own custom avatar. No actors or cameras needed.
Videos can be up to 30 minutes long and you can upload custom image or video backgrounds.
You can use the synthetic voices that are provided or upload your own audio clips.
Add additional text, image or shape elements to your videos directly in Synthesia - no need to switch between different tools.
Does Synthesia.io have a free trial or free plan?Yes, Synthesia.io does offer a brief free trial of its product. You can create a 200-character long sample video, which it will produce using one of its human avatars.
What are Synthesia’s pricing options?
Synthesia pricing
Synthesia has two paid options, one for Personal and one for Corporate use.
The Personal plan costs $30 per month (no annual discount available) and includes:
10 video credits / month (1 video credit = 1 minute of video; videos can be up to 10 minutes long).
50+ languages, 40+ avatars and 15+ templates
Custom backgrounds and background music
MP4 downloads and video sharing pages
Up to 6 slides per video
... and more.
There is an added fee for a custom avatar of $1000.00.
You'll need to chat to Synthesia about setting up a Corporate plan, which gets you everything in the Personal plan, plus:
Up to 50 slides per video
Priority support
Audio uploads and custom fonts
Premium built-in avatars
… and more!
Synthesia avatars
Synthesia AI voice generator exampleSynthesia pros and consAs I mentioned in the introduction to Synthesia above, its head and shoulders above the competition in terms of video offering, while its voices are on par with Murf.ai and Play.ht.
You don’t have to use its video options if you don’t like - you can do image or audio-only too, but if you need a realistic on-screen avatar for your videos, than Synthesia is a very solid option.
And while the monthly pricing is more than double of some of the other options on this list, you probably already know if the investment is going to be worth it for you.
What I like about Synthesia.ai
Simple and intuitive video and editor with text and image tools
Realistic and natural-sounding AI avatars
Shareable video pages with custom call-to-action button
Easy to create custom templates and slides
What I don’t like about Synthesia.ai
Can't change volume of background music
Not the cheapest AI text to voice generator our there (but you get what you pay for!)
try synthesia - click here Best free text-to-voice AI generator: Spik.aiIf you’re looking for a completely free, no-frills option to convert text into AI speech, there’s plenty of tools out there - including Spik.ai.
Your options are limited - 300 characters per recording, rising to 1,000 characters if you sign up (free) - and a choice of only 6 English voices.
The results aren’t amazing either, if I’m honest, but not bad for nothing. You can then download the result to do with as you please.
All of the tools above will give you much better AI text-to-speech options, but for comparison’s sake, I think Spik is worth including.
Free text-to-voice AI generator exampleAI voice generator FAQsStill confused about AI text-to-speech generators and tools? Here are some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Are AI text-to-speech tools realistic?AI voice generators have come a long way in recent years. Rather than sounding like a robot, many tools can produce narration that is free-flowing and natural, and available in a variety of accents.
Unless you're listening super closely, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a modern AI voice and a real human.
Are AI voiceovers as good as a human?While AI voice generators are, in many cases, almost indistinguishable from a human voice, they aren't perfect.
For instance, they're unlikely to deliver the performance of a human voice actor if your script demands strong emotions like anger or sadness, which require a specific tone of voice to deliver the message.
Also, many businesses build their brands on the back of a recognizable voice - something immediately recognizable by the audience. An AI voice generator won't give you this, since you'll be sharing a "stock" voice, which is also being used by hundreds of other companies.
Must-have features in an AI text-to-voice toolMore AI voice generator tools are coming to market all the time - some better than others. However, at a minimum, you should expect to find a tool that is easy to use, offers a plethora of high-quality voices in a variety of accents.
Other things to consider include AI voiceover tools with an option to customize and enhance the recording, easy sharing options (downloads and links), plus - if it's important to you - one that offers voices in a variety of languages.
Over to youWhich AI voiceover text-to-speech tool did you like the best? Which do you use for your business? Let me know in the comments below!
Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.
Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6
Follow Me:
http://www.facebook.com/500socialmediatips/
http://www.pinterest.com/andrewmacarthy
http://www.twitter.com/andrewmacarthy
November 1, 2021
20+ Ideal Gift Ideas for Every Entrepreneur - Essential Items for Small Business Owners
Are you looking for the best gift for the small business owner or entrepreneur in your life?
The Christmas holiday season is just around the corner at the time I write this, so I've put together a list of ideal gifts for small business owners.
Whether you’re looking for something to reward them for their achievements this year or for an item to help them succeed in the next, I’ve got you covered.
Gift inspiration for small business ownersStarting a business from scratch is one of the toughest and bravest things an individual can do, so entrepreneurs will appreciate any support they can get - whether that's a word of advice, a helping hand in getting set up, or - in this case - a gift to help them succeed on their journey.
Giving a gift to a small business owner is a small way of showing them that they aren't alone on their journey; that you have their back every step of the way. And with 20% of all new businesses sadly failing in their first year, they need all the help they can get!
The right gift can inspire an entrepreneur to accomplish anything they want to, while also strengthening the bond between you, whether a family member or a friend.
Choosing The Best Gift For An EntrepreneurThe best gifts for a small or new business owner is something that will make their job easier.
Ideally, you want to strike the right balance between something that is both thoughtful, but will also be useful as they embark on their new career path.
For example, if the recipient has recently started a dog grooming business, consider gifting them something to help keep track of their busy schedule like a productivity planner or a sturdy notebook.
Also think about the specific type of business the recipient is running as this can help you find the right gift. For example, people who work on the road may prefer something different to someone working in an office.
Lastly, don't forget to consider their personal interests. Do they enjoy learning new skills? Get them a book on business strategy or a subscription to online classes. Do they enjoy exercise or fitness? Something to take their passion to the next level would be a great idea.
Best Office Gifts for EntrepreneursLet’s start with some office essentials for every small business owner and entrepreneur. I’m of the belief that buying quality items for work makes the job easier and more pleasurable. So while my picks aren’t the cheapest, they are made to last.
Moleskine notebook - $23.50
Moleskine is the gold standard with it comes to notebooks for entrepreneurs, whether for meetings, ideation, or a daily diary.
Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and their thick, ivory paper pages
Moleskine's thick, ivory paper pages are perfectly textured for writing with a ballpoint pen, fountain pen, or pencil. An array of color options and styles means you'll find a perfect fit for any recipient.
Sharpie pens
Another gift to file under "practical, not trendy" is a set of markers or pens - specifically Sharpies - and paired with a Moleskine notebook, as recommended above.
In spite of tech, small business owners inevitably do a lot of writing, so owning a set of quality and durable pens to hand is an essential day-to-day tool.
Which type of Sharpie you choose will depend on what your small business owner recipient will use it for. Thick markers are great for scribbling notes on any surface, while its multi-point pens deliver the same bold, smooth, high-quality writing experience of that doesn't bleed through paper.
Magnetic whiteboard and markers
It might not be the trendiest of items, but for practicality and functionality, a whiteboard and markers could be a really appropriate gift for your favorite small business owner.
Whiteboards come in all shapes and sizes (can you imagine the perfect wall space for it in your giftee's office?), and the best are magnetic (great for pinning up notes) and easy to mount.
With a head full of ideas and to-do lists as long as their arm, a whiteboard and some quality-grade markers would be most welcome.
Lucrin leather mouse pad
What do you give the entrepreneur who has everything?
With a touch of leather, even the newest of technology can be given an elegant, classy appearance. Enter the humble Lucrin leather mouse pad, hand-made from high quality leather.
The rectangular mouse pad by Lucrin is an elegant office accessory that protects your desk's surface while providing a soft support to your mouse movements.
Best tech gifts for entrepreneursThe right piece of tech can change the working life of a small business. The gift suggestions below will ensure your favourite entrepreneur is always ready to go, comfortable, and stylish.
Apple Airpods bluetooth headphones
The popularity of wireless bluetooth headphones has sky-rocketed in recent years, and they’re the kind of tech that, once you own, you wonder how you did without.
Whether it’s listening to audiobooks or podcasts during some downtime or, for entrepreneurs, taking hands-free calls while you multi-task on something else, they are pocket-sized beauties!
The bluetooth headphones market is flooded with otions, with options for every budget. I can’t vouch for the cheaper options, but owning Apple Airpod Pros, I can say they excel in both sound quality, build, battery, and comfort.
You’ll always pay a premium for Apple products, but in this case, I really do think you get what you pay for.
Blue Yeti USB microphone
If you or an entrepreneur in your life needs to record audio for interviews, a podcast, or other things they want to create, this Blue Yeti microphone is a crazy-popular option, and for good reason. It’s the best microphone to start with if you want great audio for an affordable price.
Mophie Powerstation power bank
When you're an entrepreneur whose on the go all day, out of the office in meetings or on long flights, a portable charge is a lifesaver when your phone or headphone batteries are running low and you need some instant juice.
There are tons of portable chargers on the market, but the best will support a variety of outputs (lightning cable and USB C included), and pack enough punch to charge up multiple devices, several times each.
Medium power banks (7,500-14,999mAh) are usually enough to charge a smartphone twice.
I can highly recommend the Mophie Powerstation PD XL, which features fast charge technology to speed up charging of devices, and pass-through charging - which means you can charge both the power bank at the mains, as well as devices plugged into it, simultaneously.
Anker phone charging cable (6ft long)
Here's one that any small business owner who's away from home a lot would really appreciate, since tons of hotel rooms still don't have power outlets beside the bed!
A long (6ft) charging cable is ideal in this situation, whether your entrepreneur gift-receiver is strategizing first thing in the morning or swiping through TikTok at 3am after a stressful day.
These 1.8m charging cables are also perfect if you have a friend who likes to "walk and talk" when they're on the phone.
Charging cables are notoriously prone to damage (even more so when squished into backpacks and suitcases for travel), so it pays to go with a durable option from a trusted brand.
I can personally vouch for Anker charging cables, whose products go through rigorous testing and come with a lifetime warranty.
Tile Mate key finder [image error]Is the entrepreneur in your life always losing their keys, phone, wallet, or other important item?
As an absent-minded person myself, the Tile Mate has eliminated so much stress from my life! Attach it to everyday things like keys and bags and use the free app to find them. It's just like a keyring, measuring less than 1.5in square.
The Tile Mate app will ring your Tile when it's within range of Bluetooth (up to 250ft), or show you its most recent location on the companion app's map when it isn't.
And if you lose your phone, double-pressing the logo on your Tile will make your phone ring - even if it's on silent!
Matein Electronics Travel Organizer - $16
Dongles, USB cords, pens, clips, etc create clutter and are a pain to keep organized.
Memory cards, chargers, dongles, cables, and more can clutter up desks and drawers and be a nightmare to find when you need them.
This compact and waterproof electronics organizer from Matein is a lifesaver, with tons of pockets and zips to keep all kinds of tech accessories safe, and right on hand when you need them.
Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker
The Amazon Echo is almost ubiquitous at this point, and the Echo Dot with clock is its most popular smart speaker with Alexa.
Perfect for a desk top or nightstand, it can used to set alarms, check the weather, control lights and thermostats, lock doors, play music, and more - all through your voice.
Reasonably priced and lovely to look at too, it's the perfect pocket-sized gift.
Square Reader for card payments anywhere
If your entrepreneur gift recipient sells products at the likes of farmer's markets and fayres, then the ability to offer card payments wherever they are is essential in a post-pandemic world.
The Square Reader for magstripe allows you to do just that, simply and easily. Download the Square app, plug the Reader into your phone's headphone jack, and start swiping cards anywhere.
And with Square Reader for contactless and chip, you can connect wirelessly to your device to accept contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
It's surprisingly good value too. Pay just 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, with no monthly fees and no long-term commitments.
With Offline Mode, Square payments will even work when there's no internet connection available.
Best health and wellness gifts for entrepreneursMOBOT 2-in-1 water bottle
Everyone knows the importance is keeping hydrated for health and performance, which is especially important for entrepreneurs who are on the go all day. How's this for a unique two-in-one gift idea? A water bottle that's also a pocket-sized foam roller.
The MOBOT water bottle is single-walled to maximize water volume, which you can fill with cold water for an icy roller or fill with warm water for a heated roller.
It's made from 100% recycled stainless steel, is BPA free and the foam is high-density EVA, which is non-toxic. The roller can be used whether the bottle is full or empty, and has been tested up to 350lb.
Apple Watch Series 7 or Fitbit Inspire 2
Small business owners often find themselves working long hours at a desk, often without a break.
If you want to gift something that will remind them to get up and move, and inspire them to take care of their overall health, a wearable like the Apple Watch or Fitbit Inspire HR are both great picks.
Adjustable laptop stand
I think we've all been guilty at one time of another of crouching over our laptops in incredibly comfortable positions.
It's not something you want to make a habit of for innummerable health reasons, which is where adjustable laptop desks come in.
They can be used standing or sitting, and also fold flat for easy transportation.
Best productivity gifts for enrtrepreneursLooking for a gift for a small business owner whose easily distracted or needs some help with their schedule? Check out these productivity picks.
Gravity hourglass for time management
With so many distractions in our day-to-day lives, it can sometimes be difficult to sit and focus on one task.
Setting a timer on your phone isn't bad, but there's something more "concrete" about using a physical hourglass to help build healthy time management habits - something any entrepreneur will appreciate.
This set from OrgaNice comes with two hourglasses - one for 5 minutes (play time) and one for 30 minutes (work time).
Philips Smart Wake Up Light
If you are looking for a gift for someone who struggles to sleep at night or wake up during dark winter mornings, then the Philips Wake Up Light is ideal.
Unlike a traditional alarm clock, it is designed to wake you in a more natural way, using a unique combination of light and sound.
Its sunset simulations prepare your body to fall asleep by gradually decreasing light and helping you to wind down. And in the morning, it brightens slowly to simulate a natural sunrise to leave you ready for the day ahead.
Smart features include FM radio, tap snooze, a choice of 5 natural wake-up sounds and an automatic dimmable display.
A desktop calendar
Even with an online planner, it’s always nice to have a calendar that’s quick and easy to reference. What better place to have a calendar than right on your desktop? These are cheap and extremely handy for any small business.
A YETI Rambler insulated coffee mug
I don't think you'll find too many coffee-drinking small business owners who wouldn't appreciate this one.
After all, is there anything worse than brewing a coffee, only to get distracted and come back to find it cold?
Enter the YETI Rambler, a double-wall vacuum insulated mug that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Perfect for entrepreneurs who are running errands or juggling multiple tasks. It's dishwasher safe too, so a breeze to clean.
Give the gift of a guaranteed, comforting warm beverage that will for years to come.
Best stocking stuffers for entrepreneursPopSockets Phone Grip
We all know that one person who fumbles their smartphone and ends up with dings, dents, and scratches. This little smartphone accessory does it all: props your phone up, able to mount itself on car mounts, and more importantly keep your phone secure while in use.
Burt's Bees Lip Balm
Keep lips hydrated and smooth with beeswax and fruit extracts packed into every tube of Burt's Bees Lip balm.
This stocking stuffer pack comes with four different flavours, including Strawberry and Vanilla Bean.
Best Business Books for EntrepreneursThere are a whole ton of books from so-called business gurus out there, promising riches and how to level up your business. But for some of the fundamentals for success, you can’t go wrong with these:
Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill, which teaches readers that they can achieve anything they conceive and believe when they put their mind to it.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, which teaches the difference between an asset and a liability and how to leverage the income of assets to grow your wealth.
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, by Al Ries and Jack Trout, including the lesson that in today's competitive landscape, creating a new category and getting into a prospect's mind first, is key to success.
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, which advises that you should avoid trying to beat competitors. Make them irrelevant by creating a leap in value for buyers and your company.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, which encourages entrepreneurs to “Embrace your weirdness, your background, your instinct."; that ultimately there is no one-size-fits all solution for business.
Gifts for Entrepreneurs - Over to youThink I’ve missed an essential gift for small business owners and entrepreneurs? Let me know in the comments below!
August 19, 2021
Social Media Planner 2022 Book | Diary to Plan Your Social Media Posting Schedule and Content Weekly for the Business Year
Always posting content at the last minute? Wish you could be more organized with your social media schedule?
Stop panicking, save time, and create more effective content with a Social Media Planner for 2022! Yes, an actual real book!
Introducing my Social Media Planner for 2022As much as I rely on my phone and PC to keep track of pretty much everything to do with my business, nothing beats a physical book to make notes and jot down ideas throughout the day.
I’ve owned plenty of diaries and lined journals, but nothing specifically for social media marketing.
That’s why I’ve custom-designed a social media planner for 2022 - containing everything you need to build manage your social media content plan and schedule for the whole year.
Whether you keep it as a companion on your desk at home or whisk it away with you in your bag - it’s perfect for scribbling ideas in when the moment strikes.
Use your social media planner to create a full social media content plan across one or multiple channels - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
What’s included in the Social Media Planner for 2022? 
I’ve designed this planner to be something that I (and I think many business owners) would enjoy writing in every day.
The Social Media Planner for 2022 lets you:
Set your social media goals for every month
Brainstorm post ideas for every week (including stories and Reels)
Plot and schedule posts for 52 weeks of the year - all major UK and US holidays included.
Track audience growth and engagement across the year
Make to-do lists and jot down notes for your everyday business (no need to carry two diaries around!)
Plan out your ideal customer to target content to them effectively
Why use a social media planner in 2022?A social media planner allows you plan and arrange your content well in advance so that you can focus your attention on other important tasks to help your business grow.
Having everything in one physical book means you always know where to look when you want to add to or check up on your social media schedule. Grab it and check in seconds, rather than fussing with apps or other software.
A social media planner gives you a place offline to keep all of your ideas; and a way to encourage you to be consistent with your posting schedule.
What other features are included in the Social Media Planner for 2022?The Social Media Planner for 2022 features:
135 pages just begging to be scribbled in!
Chunky 10 x 7 inch size - plenty of room for note-making.
Available in hardback and paperback (coming soon)
Beautiful cover design
Buy my Social Media Planner for 2022Ready to start your social media marketing strategy off with a bang in 2022? Whether it’s for yourself or as a beautiful gift for a friend, click below to buy your copy at Amazon:
Buy at amazon
