If you’re not used to being on camera, it might take you a while to warm up to the idea. The thought that there’s this thing recording every move you make is enough to give plenty of people panic attacks. We’re here to give you the tips you need to put your best foot forward and start feeling comfortable in front of the camera.
Remember You Can Edit
Editing is your friend. Now that most of us have digital cameras, you don’t have to worry about wasting film. Anything you don’t like, you can just delete and it won’t cost you anything, which brings us to our second tip:
Practice Makes Perfect
Whether you practice in front of the camera, in front of a mirror, or just in the shower, the more you practice what it is you’re going to say and the gestures you’re going use, the more easily it will come to you when it comes time to record.
If it’s the camera itself that makes you nervous, you can desensitize yourself by spending more time in front of the camera, even if the camera is turned off. Get used to talking into the lens so you won’t have to worry about freezing up when it’s time to record.
Act Like You’re Talking to One Person
When talking to the camera, imagine you’re talking to one person, not an auditorium full of people. It doesn’t matter if your video gets thousands of views because, from each person’s perspective, they’re the only one you’re talking to.
Think of someone clicking on your video as an invitation into their home (or office, depending on where they end up watching the video). What would you want to say to them in a one-on-one conversation? That’s what you should be saying in your video.
This also means you should avoid using phrases like, “Hey, everyone thanks for tuning in!” Instead, you want to say things like, “Hi, today I want to talk to you about…” It’s usually a good idea to use the word “you” a lot because it makes your viewers feel like you’re speaking directly to them, and that makes them feel special (which makes them like you more).
The more people get jaded by online spambots, the more strongly they respond to a personal touch. If they feel like you’re talking to them, specifically, rather than the internet at large, they’ll be more receptive to what you have to say.
The idea of getting up in front of a camera and talking to complete strangers on the internet can be intimidating for a lot of people, but it doesn’t have to be. Whatever your small business is doing, it has value and there are people out there who need to know about it. A digital camera (even if it’s just the camera on your smartphone) will help you get that message in front of the people who need it most.