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By Sophie Mei Lan (The Media Consultant at Evoke Media Group, it's Daria who manages the tech side of things!). 

I run the Media Consultancy at Evoke Media Group alongside being a professional Vlogger. My business partner Daria runs the tech side of things and I am still learning! So I thought I'd share my vlogging essentials as I trained as a Broadcast Journalist and now run my own Youtube Channel with 31k subscribers and 11 million views (and whilst I have worked as Journalist for over 10 years, Daria who has worked on million pound budget films has helped me with what to buy). 

Here are how I upped my youtube game (please note, they are affiliate links which means it's the same price for you but I may earn a little commission). 


My tech essentials: 

Cameras: As I did, you'll probably get caught up on buying the ideal vlogging camera. I was fixated on getting a Canon G7X Mark 11  and whilst they are great for vloggers, you pay a premium for the fact they are so well marketed. 

So if you're clumsy like me, you're probably better off with a cheaper model like this: 

Canon Powershot

​That said, we also have a Canon 5d Mark 111 here at Evoke Media Group which I use for sit down vlogs (with Daria controlling the manual settings, although you can do it yourself on automatic). But this is if you've got money to invest and want to be a professional film-maker too. As you'll need a Lens and good tripod. 

For Christmas, I also delved into the world of Go Pros and I have got these: 

Go Pro Hero 5 - This is a nice and solid introduction to Go Pro and I use it to vary my shots on my vlog. It is not an essential however and I don't find the quality that great. But I do like it for adding texture and I like to use it when moving and on the go.
I have let my kids use this one for their vlogs as it's small and nifty and fairly durable (they use on a mini Manfrotto tripod, see below). 

Now my mini vloggers are enjoying their GoPro, I am wanting to get them these accessories to steady and vary the ways they use their water-proof GoPro: 

Go Pro Accessories

Meanwhile, I have been busy using my new toy... a 360 camera, I searched high and low for one and went for a mid-range one and with a brand I am familiar with, so this is my GoPro Fusion which is great for crating 360 footage that I can use when creating Virtual Reality Vlogs (yep, I am going there! I want to make my travel vlogs interactive). 
​
Go Pro Fusion (the great thing about this is the tripod it comes with which allows for good quality footage and you can hold it in a way so the tripod is invisible to viewers of the film). 

(I won't mention that it broke whilst away though!!! But I can recommend Amazon's customer service on the matter!).

I haven't tried this 360 camera but I hear it's more of a phone gadget (but it is more affordable): 

​Samsung 360 Camera 

Tripods: Almost as important as the camera itself is the tripod! I highly recommend Manfrotto. We have a few mini tripods floating around as they are great for compact cameras and gopros and don't cost a lot: 
Manfrotto Mini Tripod 

Next up, I am hoping to replace my larger tripod with this one: 

​Manfrotto Tripod 

Another mini tripod I recommend is Joby's Gorilla Pod: 

Joby Gorilla Pod

And if like me you use your phone for filming a lot (I currently have Huawei P20 but I used a Google Pixel 2 before), I use my Job Gorilla Pod more than anything as you can fix a Go Pro and a light to it (although I need to purchase a smaller light so it doesn't topple over). I actually won this one on a game of Beer Pong at Icelolly's Blog at the Beach event!

Joby Gorilla Pod Mobile rig 

I also have a Joby hand held phone grip which I got from Blog On Conference. 

Next up is a Steady Cam to hold your camera, this one can go on your shoulder... I am yet to try it out but it's great that it doesn't require much set up and you can move around. 

Steady Cam 

Lights: You can get away with a low grade camera or phone if you have good lighting. Whether you're outside and it's bright but cloudy or your inside near a window. Or if like me, you live somewhere where the weather changes a lot or you're wanting to record on a n evening. I invested in a couple of these: 

Neewer Video Light  
Neewer Batteries and Charger for Light 

I have also got for my live vlogs a ring light which holds my phone. I hear lots of beauty vloggers and bloggers use these. 

Ring Light 
​
Sound: Sound is also important because unless you use subtitles people want to hear you and not everyone has a looming voice like me! 

If you're tech savvy and want to do podcasts too or professional shoots this external mic is good: 
Zoom H5 for sound recording 

But for me as it takes syncing, I only use the above on pro shoots. Whereas I have these for my cameras: 

Rode Mic - External Microphone for your camera 

Rycote Classic Softie Microphone


 
Extras: Also I purchased these before Christmas... 

Master plug Open cable reel: to use on shoots where there are lots of cables. I am also setting up a home studio to do collaborations. 

Sideboard to store: I have so much stuff and gadgets, I am trying to get my home office in order with nice furniture so it feels and looks good! 


So all in all, here are many things I have acquired recently as well as some more lights (which I have in almost every room of my house), but don't be put off by all the equipment. Some of my most popular and viral vlogs were taken candidly on my mobile phone with no studio lighting or external mic. I look back and cringe at these especially as millions of people have seen them. But at the end of the day, content and personality is king. So be yourself. Invest in what makes you feel good and proud of your work. This year I am hoping to take vlogging to the next level which is why I am going pro with items for my home studio. 

My main piece of advice is just to get started! Even if that is balancing a phone on some books! 

More than half of marketers are planning to increase their Influencer Marketing Budget in the next 12 months.
And at least 309 million people are using ad-blockers on their devices*, which proves how important authentic influencers, PR and brand ambassadors can be to your business, instead of traditional adverts. 
As a result of this growing trend of Influencer Marketing, Evoke Media Group (which is co-owned by professional journalist and vlogger Sophie Mei Lan) set up Blog Up North network to connect the best businesses, brands and influencers outside of London. 
Part of our work through Blog Up North is offering Digital Skills and helping businesses and influencers work together effectively, as well as providing dynamic marketing solutions. 
We are running an invite-only Blog Up North Day which is for professional influencers but as it will be useful for exciting brands and businesses, we decided to offer one free place to a business or brand up north. 

​WIN A PLACE ON OUR EXCLUSIVE INVITE-ONLY Blog Up North DAY! 

Are you a business owner? Wanting to find out more about how to Make it in the Media? Do you need Influencer Marketing tips? And learn how to pitch and improve your Public Speaking? Plus find out how to get a book published! 

As well as networking with top influencers/bloggers/vloggers/instagrammers... 

On Tuesday December 11th BlogUpNorth.co.uk are hosting an event with Leeds Beckett Enterprise Centre in Wakefield from 10am-2pm. 

TO WIN A PLACE, EMAIL SOPHIE@EVOKEMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK WITH YOUR CONTACT DETAILS. BY DOING SO YOU AGREE TO BE SIGNED UP TO EVOKE AND BLOG UP NORTH'S MAILING LIST. GIVEAWAY CLOSES FRIDAY DECEMBER 7TH AT 5pm.

* Statistics according to Influencer 2.0 Research on Influencer Marketing. 

A Channel 4 News investigation has uncovered serious allegations of homophobia and untrained staff at a government funded charity which deals with victims of trafficking and abuse. 
Dozens of people who were referred to the City Hearts Charity in Sheffield have been speaking out about the homophobic attitudes of some senior staff, controlling behaviour from management and receiving counselling from people without training. 
The charity is run by the Hope City Church and receives government-funding via the Salvation Army as part of the UK’s human trafficking contract (the Adult Human Trafficking Victim Care and Co-ordination Contract to offer specialist support services to adult victims of Human Trafficking in England and Wales), which it was awarded in 2011. 
Channel 4 News’ exclusive report features two former residents of the City Hearts charity in Sheffield. One of those interviewed is Ameila – which is not her real name. She was trafficked to the UK from Eastern Europe but having escaped she ended up in one of the charity’s safe houses. She says that as a gay woman she was subjected to homophobia by some senior staff; “One of the staff said like you have the devil in you and you have to change that. They would ban any physical contact for me with people in the congregation well women. I found it quite humiliating as I’m not doing anything I’m not spreading disease. I’m not going to infect them. I’m not going to make them be gay”.  She felt like she was in “some sort of weird cult”. 
Another of the women is Holly.  She’d previously been abused and controlled before being rescued by the police and taken to the City Hearts charity during 2011 to receive help. But instead Holly says that she was “completely controlled,” and claims: 
“Although I’ve been abused by abusers in my past, this touches a different spot and is more painful.” 
"Within the refuge you’ve got no control they completely control you from your finances to what you eat to your decisions and your communication with the outside world. If you did watch TV it’s monitored but any mail coming in they would open your mail and if they didn’t want you to receive it then it would be discarded"
The investigation has also heard from several former employees who talk about being untrained for their roles. One who features in the programme is Kat, a former lead pastor of Hope City Church and project manager of City Hearts charity. She explains how aged 20 she was put in charge of a safe house caring for vulnerable people, with no training or guidance other than prayer and worship. 
She says: “As a shift leader, the person in charge of the whole shift, I remember I once walked into a room and one of the clients had self-harmed so horrifically. 
you’re walking into a situation where someone’s lying on the floor and you don’t know if they’re alive or not.” 
“There is blood everywhere and you also have a group of ten other women you’re also trying to look after, with one other volunteer.”
"I had to do one to one sessions with them give them advice give them pointers put plans together for them for their progression but with absolutely no training with absolutely no professional kind of guidance in that sense. It was just always thrown on and put in a way of like we'll pray use god or use a bible scripture or something like that." When asked for comment David Gilpin – the senior pastor at Hope City Church - declined to be interviewed but said he's sorry to hear about the allegations and that the charity is investigating. In a statement the charity said:    "We seek to uphold the highest standards of excellence and diversity, and have been very disappointed to hear the allegations.” “We are of course investigating these matters and in the meantime it would be inappropriate for us to comment publicly.” “We will in any event review our policies and procedures."
 
A Charity Commission spokesperson said:   “These are deeply distressing allegations which raise serious regulatory concerns and may point to failings on the part of the trustees of the charities in question.” “We are assessing Channel 4’s findings as a matter of urgency and require the trustees to respond to our questions. We will also be engaging with the charity’s funder, the Salvation Army, to ensure it is carrying out appropriate due diligence checks on the partners it works with.” 
 
A Home Office spokesperson said:
 
“We are deeply concerned by the allegations and are working with the Salvation Army to urgently look into what happened at City Hearts. This includes seeking immediate assurances from the Salvation Army that all those receiving support as victims of modern day slavery are receiving the right standard of care”. 
 
A Salvation Army spokesperson said:
 
“The support provided to the individuals identified to us by Channel 4 was given outside the specialist support subcontracted to City Hearts by the Salvation Army. However, in light of these allegations we are looking into this situation including bringing forward a regular safeguarding inspection of City Hearts.”

TX: Tuesday 14th March 2018 at 7pm on Channel 4 News. 

​Watch the news piece here: https://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-investigation-uncovers-alleged-homophobia-and-untrained-staff-at-government-funded-charity​

Bloggers, vloggers and social media influencers were taken on an independent brewery tour of Leeds and surrounding areas.

Online influencer network Blog Up North (owned by us at Evoke Media Group) collaborated with Brewtown Tours to put on the event.

Founder of Blog Up North, Sophie Mei Lan, said: “There is so much online talent in the north of England who aren’t being utilised fully as most of the opportunities are down south and, we want to change that.

“So we were thrilled to host our first networking event for influencers in our team to meet one another and to sample some of the finest beers and ales Leeds has to offer.

​“Obviously they made a lot of noise about the breweries and Brewtown tours on social media too!”
Brewtown Tours took the influencers to Yorkshire Heart, Quirky Ales and then their final stop for food and drink was at Northern Monk Brewery. ​

A MasterChef quarter-finalist is set to pop up a fine-dining restaurant at a city centre cafe.

Chris Hale who wowed the judges on last year's BBC MasterChef is preparing to treat the paying public to a Europe-themed supper club at Mrs Atha's. Mr Hale said: "I'm really excited to invite Yorkshire food-lovers to 'A Taste of Europe'.

"You'll be treated to a drink on arrival followed by a sumptuous 7-course meal, taking you on a culinary tour around Europe in the wonderful surrounds of one of Leeds' best cafes!" 

Mr Hale, who has launched his own restaurant business Pop Up North since starring in the popular TV cooking show is expecting a sell-out with only 30 tickets available for the fine dining experience. 
​
A Taste of Europe takes place on Saturday June 17th at 7.30pm.
Tickets are just £45 per person which includes a drink on arrival & 7 courses. Tickets are available in advance from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-taste-of-europe-mrs-athas-tickets-34521024313?ref=estw

Any queries please email: chrishale99@hotmail.co.uk
Or call: 07899767279
The event is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/306581163112853/?ti=icl

FULL MENU

• Turkey

Turkish Mezze Platter

• Italy

Mozzarella & Beef Arancini with Tomato and Almond Pesto

• Spain

Fried Squid with Tomato and Pepper Compôte, Tomato Salsa & Dipping Sauce

• Norway

Salmon Gravlax with Horseradish Cream, G&T Jelly, Dill Aioli & Pickled Cucumber

• England

Beer Braised Ox Cheek, Brisket Bon Bon, Malted Onion, Pomme Puree & Leek Ash

• Germany

Kirsch Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Sponge, Cherry Sorbet & Chocolate Soil

• France

Strawberry & Vanilla Crème

--- Ends ---

For press interviews, call Chris Hale directly on 07899767279 or email chrishale99@hotmail.co.uk

An online parenting community and business network has been launched in the city "to take the stress out of family life."

Wakefield Mumbler aims to support families by providing relevant local information for free. At its core Mumbler is about supporting local families and bringing together parents and carers from across the district.

And as part of that they want to support parent and child related businesses by offering free and paid for online business listings as well as monthly networking events. 
Owner of Wakefield Mumbler Heather Sweeney said: "To join our network your business needs to be listed on Wakefield Mumbler, your business should be based in Wakefield or you live in Wakefield. Mumbler businesses centre around parenting and child related products and services, or a local craft business owned by a parent,. You can also be listed in our trusted trades if our Mumblers recommend you. Full details of how to get your free basic listing or enquire about paid listing can be found on wakefield.mumbler.co.uk.
"We are a small and friendly network and we welcome speakers from any business to come to our networking events to give a speech on a suitable topic for our SMEs." 
Previously Wakefield Mumbler's business network has heard from Practical Business Training about blogging and Evoke Media Group has spoken about PR.
Mrs Sweeney said: "We would love to hear from experts in marketing, SEO, IT and anything you think would be of value to our members."

Mumbler is a franchise which was started by mum Sally Haslewood in Harrogate originally as a Facebook group to meet other parents. 

But the group quickly grew into also being a website and hosting events. 
The hope with Mumbler is to create a sense of community for families in each area with hyper local support and listings. 

Wakefield Mumbler’s Mrs Sweeney said: “I launched the Mumbler website and community in Wakefield earlier this year and we have already run events across the district as well as attracting hundreds of parents and businesses to our Facebook groups.
"As a mum myself I understand the daily challenges that parents face. 
So I created the business network to help support other parents like me who are running businesses whilst contending with childcare and everything else! 
"Although most of our business network members are mums to young children this is not a requirement. We run our meetings on an evening after our children are in bed but this is also to suit people who work in the day too."

Mrs Sweeney hopes Wakefield Mumbler will be a place where families can easily access the local information they need and to find a welcoming platform where they are free to ask for recommendations for groups, services, advice for family problems, ideas for days out and everything else in between.

"I hope Mumbler will take the stress out of family life for others in Wakefield, as Harrogate Mumbler did for me when I was a new mum in Harrogate.” 
The social media savvy pregnant mum-of-one also works part-time as a teacher as well as running her new business as a franchisee. 
​
For more information visit wakefield.mumbler.co.uk.
Or email: wakefield@mumbler.co.uk
Or attend an event: Either of their family fun days to find out more on July 2 at The Ruddy Duck and a big family fun day in September. ​