Video marketing is not only a great way to communicate information, but it’s also an opportunity to speak directly to customers in a way that naturally presents your brand. Putting yourself in front of the camera is a great way to showcase who you are, what you do, and why your business is the best option for potential customers.
Before developing your video marketing strategy, you first have to learn how to be yourself in front of the camera. You may think you need to spend hours memorizing lines or touch up on your acting skills, but the best way to engage your audience through the camera is to be genuine, passionate, and offer a touch of spontaneity. Here are some helpful tips on how to get comfortable on camera in order to look natural and take your video marketing strategy to the next level.
Prepare, But Not Too Much
Preparing the key points you want to hit during your video keeps your thoughts organized when it’s time to be on screen. When you’re anxious, however, it can be easy to fall down the hole of over-preparing. Writing out scripted paragraphs and trying to memorize lines will not only cause you to be more nervous than before but will also cause you to sound stiff, create long unnatural pauses, and prompt “Um’s” and “Uh’s” while you fumble to find the right words. Jotting down the main subjects you want to cover and trusting your own knowledge to deliver the rest is the best way to prepare for your next close-up—and present your business in the best light.
Be Aware of Your Nervous Tics
Everyone has something they do when they get nervous. Whether it’s playing with your hair, tugging on your clothes, or biting your nails, being aware of your nervous tics is the first step in getting rid of them. This will help you reflect more confidence on camera and also in everyday public speaking. Having more confidence in yourself and your business will help your audience to build trust in you. To spot your nervous tics, have someone record you speaking in a public setting or on camera. Once you see what habits you need to fix, you’ll be more conscious of them the next time around.
Take it Slow
It is natural to want to speed yourself up when you’re uncomfortable—but the faster you talk, the harder it will be for you to convey your brand messaging. Slowing your pace and taking some deep breaths will help to calm your nerves and make your voice more clear and confident on camera. This will also give your audience more time to retain what you are saying. With that being said, don’t be afraid of silence either. Take pauses to think, or transition without using filler words to replace the silence.
Feel Free to Move
Gesturing is a natural part of speaking and a great way to release that built-up nervous energy. When you tuck your hands underneath your thighs or behind your back, you resist your natural tendency to gesture, making you look tense. Instead, place your hands on your lap or by your side so your arms and hands are free to move as they please. The more free you are to be yourself, the more personality you add to your business, and the more potential customers can resonate with you.
Work Through Your Mistakes
One of the best parts of video is that you can always reshoot something if you make a mistake. However, relying on this perk by redoing every imperfection will not only take up hours of your time but also won’t help you to improve your ability to speak fluently on camera. If you blank on what to say or fumble on your words, take a moment to try and complete your thought before you stop recording. Your audience prefers transparency. It’s the best way to build a positive reputation. It’s better to make an honest mistake on camera and show your human side than to get it perfect every time.
Practice
Practice makes perfect! The fastest way to get comfortable on camera is to put yourself in front of it as often as you can. The more you’re in front of it the easier it will feel and the more relaxed and natural you’ll look.
With video marketing growing in popularity, it’s smart to build your expertise so you don’t fall behind. Use these 6 tips to build up your confidence on camera, improve your brand image, and start up an effective video marketing strategy.
Video marketing is just one of many marketing must-dos for 2018. Download our free eBook below to see the rest:
