We talked before about how video has become such a popular medium for marketing and social media recently. Smart phones and other technology have made producing video even more accessible than ever. And if you want to take it to the next level, there are so many video professionals out there that have incredible capabilities for producing top of the line video for your marketing purposes. (Ahem, have you checked out our stuff?)
So you may be thinking, “Simple! Let’s get started!” And that’s great! But one little roadblock that stops many people from actually hitting that record button is actually themselves. Yeah, camera shyness is real, and if you want to create some truly impactful and inspiring videos, you’re going to need to learn to get over your fear of being on screen!
I initially wanted to interview Pam about how psyches herself up to be on film, because I thought she was such a natural. To my surprise, it turns out Pam had major anxiety about appearing in her own videos. So this just goes to show, you’re not the only one. So, Pam shared some tips about how she overcame her fear and went on to produce some great video content.
- Know your subject matter. Talk about things you know about, and if you aren’t so sure about your subject, do some major research. Pam said, “I was very sure of what I was explaining. After all, marketing is my passion, and my career. But I still had to brush-up on the bullet points of what I wanted to say. And I always memorized my scripts. I never read from a teleprompter, which always makes it see more natural.”
- Find your own voice. Don’t try to sound a certain way. Sound like who you are, Pam advises. “When I did my very first video blog, I wasn’t happy with myself because I wasn’t being me. So I started changing up my scripts, and I started changing-up my clothes and hairstyle. I just became me and that helped make me much more comfortable and relaxed.” If you try to act like someone you’re not, people will figure you out in a second. When you’re speaking on camera, it’s best to take on a conversational tone, as though you’re talking to someone sitting right next to you. Don’t fake your inflection or toss your hair in a way that’s not natural; just be you!
- Practice makes perfect. Don’t expect to get it perfect in one take. Practice in front of a mirror several times before you even try to film. Or sit down in front of a colleague or friend and practice in front of them. This will help you get over your self-consciousness and also help you remember your lines before going in front of the camera
- Hire a coach. If you want to produce quality content, it may be worth it to invest some money in a coach! “I took one look at the first production I did and I knew something had to change,” Pam said, “I am not an actress; and, in fact, have no desire to ever be on any kind of stage. However, I decided to hire an acting coach. His name is Tyson Sears and he worked with me, gave me new ideas, new ways to try things. It actually became a lot of fun! The value I got from my coaching experience was well worth the investment. Tyson is great at it; I give him all of the credit!”
- Hire the right video team. You can have great delivery and impressive content, but with a terrible video team, your video is going to look cheap and amateurish. You don’t have to blow your budget, but don’t cut corners when it comes to finding a quality videographer. Someone with the right talent and know-how will put together a professional video that will reflect well on you and your company. “My team includes Harry Giglio. While I handle the concepting and writing, he and his crew are true pros at bringing an “art” to the process that I haven’t seen matched anywhere else,” said Pam. “Be sure you work with a team that brings something different and special to the project. And that should begin with the concept and the script.”
- Speak to the videographer, not the camera. Those big hulking cameras, coupled with the big umbrella lights can be intimidating! Pam suggests speaking directly to the videographer, NOT the camera. “When I do my marketing video blogs, I literally had to block-out the cameras and lights and just pretend I was talking directly to Harry in a conversation,” Pam explained. “This made me feel much more at ease and natural. This is one of the best tips I can give to people who are in front of the camera. It’s a tough place to be; but if you apply these tips, it makes the process less stressful and downright enjoyable!”
Do you want to take your promotional videos to the next level? Reach out to CommuniTech for more information!