Getting on video for your business is great, but you’ll probably find yourself feeling nervous the closer you get to your shoot. Approximately 77% of people suffer from some form of anxiety regarding public speaking, so this is completely normal. We all stutter and make some mistakes here and there, so don’t feel bad. Here are some tips to help you overcome your video stage-fright.
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8 Tips To Feel More Comfortable and Look Better On Camera:
1 – Have a Plan, Not a Prompt
Having a plan, instead of following a teleprompter or winging it, will keep you focused, prevent you from making mistakes and make you sound more genuine. One of the advantages of video is the ability to build genuine connections with the audience. However, if you’re reading from a script or prompt, you will sound robotic – killing the human connection video can build.
Instead of a script, have a plan, like bullet points, of what you want to talk about. A plan will allow you to sound more human because you’ll just be talking, not reading or remembering. However, don’t wing everything.
Without any plan, you’ll quickly find yourself lost and making more mistakes. You will also forget to include all the important points you wanted to cover. So, have a plan.
2 – Film in an Environment You’re Familiar With
Filming in a familiar place will make you feel more comfortable because you won’t be distracted by the stress of an unfamiliar environment. Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed when you go to new places? It can be exciting, but it’s not helpful when you need to stay focused on speaking to a camera.
Where possible, film somewhere you know well. In most cases, this will be your place of business – your office, store, desk, etc. By filming somewhere you’re comfortable, you will feel more relaxed on camera.
3 – Remember… You’re The Expert
You’re an expert in your field, so all you have to do is talk about it. When talking to a camera, pretend you’re talking to a friend. You probably already explain what you do to friends and family, so you’re well practised. And remember, you’re the expert – you already have the answers.
4 – Practise By Talking To Yourself
When you’re not filming, use your spare time to practise talking. It’s easy to get flustered when you’re the only one talking because you’re talking to a camera. By practising speaking out load, you will become used to the sound of your own voice and speaking uninterrupted. Thus, you will be more comfortable speaking on camera.
To practise talking to yourself, select a random topic and spend two-minutes talking about it. You’ll probably talk made-up nonsense, but you’ll get used to speaking out loud. So, talking to yourself is a great way to get more comfortable talking to a camera.
5 – Dress For The Occasion
Dressing in an outfit you like will make you feel more confident in yourself, so you can focus on what you’re going to say. The last thing you need when filming is any self-conscious worries. To reduce these worries, choose clothes that make you feel confident and good about yourself.
Much like the filming environment, it also helps to choose clothes you wear regularly, so you feel comfortable. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s appropriate for the tone of the video and shows up well on camera. Some materials can show up strange on camera, and you don’t want to be dressed like a clown when talking seriously. Dress to impress, so you’ll want to get on camera and knock ’em dead.
6 – Don’t Be Flustered By Pauses Or Making Mistakes
It’s easy to feel like restarting when you make a mistake, but this will only make you more prone to mistakes. We all lose track of our thoughts or trip on our tongues sometimes. However, the more times you run through the same thing, the more you will make other mistakes and will start sounding robotic.
When you do make a mistake, or need to pause, stop, take a breath, think about what you’re going to say next, and start speaking again. Eventually, it will become second nature, and you will look and feel more comfortable in front of a camera. Moreover, it will prepare you for doing live videos where you can’t restart.
7 – Use Effective Body Language
Using effective body language, such as smiling, not staring at the camera, and using your hands to speak, will help you be more engaging and likeable.
Firstly, start smiling before you’re recording. If you start smiling just as the filming starts, people will see you put on your “fake” smile. It can make people uncomfortable and like you less. You don’t have to smile through the entire video, but make sure you’re smiling at the start, and wherever relevant, so you can make a good connection.
Secondly, don’t stare at the camera 100% of the time. It’s normal to want to look at the camera, but looking at it the whole time feels unnatural. When you’re talking to a friend, you don’t stare at them the whole time. You look away here and there and re-make eye contact every so often. Do the same thing with the camera. It will look more normal and keep the audience comfortable.
Finally, use your hands to tell your story. Moving your hands to emphasise the story will keep the audience interested in the movement, make your audience feel more welcome and will make you feel less stiff. So, it helps audience engagement and your comfort. Therefore, remember to consider your body language when making a video.
8 – Practise By Making Videos Wherever Possible
This tip is simple – practice makes perfect. If you get in front of the camera wherever you can, you will feel more comfortable and better at it. Plus, you will end up with plenty of video content for your business. So, keep practising with your videos.
Still Nervous?
Even with all these tips, it’s still easy to be nervous on camera. In this case, you made need some help. We know being on camera can be nerve-wracking. However, it doesn’t have to be. At SBIM, our in-house video expert will take your through our fun process to ensure you look amazing, so you don’t have to worry about it. Call SBIM on 07 3325 0505, or email webmaster@sbim.com.au, to start creating fantastic video marketing content.
