03/09/2026
Controversial opinion… am I being mean or do you agree with this logic?
The logic AKA My no nonsense guide to using mics when talking on camera:
Do you need a mic? Whilst it will give you slightly better audio, it’s not really necessary if you’re indoors away from background noise.
If, like me, you want content to be as easy as possible, my honest opinion is it’s just one more thing to sort before recording. Removing barriers to showing up is more important, in my opinion, than improving audio quality.
To clip or not to clip? If you do use a mic, just clip it on to your clothes!
People hold them for one of two reasons.: 1. They’re worried about the rustling on their clothes (you can hear from the clip at the end of this video the sound is fine when it’s clipped on). 2. To act as a visual hook.
I believed most people are doing it because they’ve seen others do it or told it works as a hook. (I’m honestly not buying that it’s easier to hold clipped onto a variety of ridiculous household objects).
As an expert in visibility and showing up on video, let me tell you that the first time you do it, there’s a curiosity hook, but once your audience has seen it, my opinion is it’s just a gimmicky distraction.
This has bugged me since this became a trend a couple of years ago, but I’ve kept quiet. I didn’t want to come across as critical, after all it is a subjective opinion (albeit with some sound camera knowledge behind it).
I’m raising it now because more clients are asking me if they need to do it, and I think it’s just one more visibility hurdle.
That, and it’s getting increasingly ridiculous and I couldn’t keep it in anymore.
So am I being mean by calling this out? If you do it, I’d love to know your reasons (maybe I’m wrong).
