4 Ways to Get More Comfortable In Front of the Camera

If the thought of being on camera terrifies you, you’re in good company. Talking on camera is essentially another form of public speaking, which is in the top 10 fears among most people! The technical term is Glossophobia, and it’s the source of many nightmares. But you may be surprised to learn that there are some good reasons to address this issue. Did you know that a fear of public speaking can cut your wages by 10%? That’s pretty significant if you ask me! The bright side is, you can overcome your fear. So let’s start, by diving into why you should get more comfortable in front of the camera.

Why You Should Get More Comfortable In Front Of The Camera

Here is an often overlooked reality, you have a brand whether you want one or not. You can either choose to take control of it, or let others fill in the gaps for you. Either way, you are a representation of your business. It’s a good idea to present a confident and unified front. Confidence can go a long way in communication, especially when you are speaking in a public forum. In fact, many studies have found that how you say something is more important than the content itself. I’ve mentioned before the incredible power of adding video content to your marketing efforts. Using video to your advantage is not only a smart idea, it’s a profitable one.

Video marketing is seeing upward mobility every year, and there is no indication that will change any time soon. Just take a look at these statistics:

● By 2021, 82% of all consumer Internet traffic will be coming from videos. 
● 54% of consumers say that they want to see videos from brands they support. 
● Youtube has over one billion users, which is almost one-third of the internet 
● One-third of online activity is spent watching video. 

As a videographer and director myself, I can personally attest to the strength of a well crafted video! In my opinion, it’s the best way to encourage engagement, establish yourself as an authority, and develop a relationship with your audience. What’s more, the day of the micro-influencer is here! Brands are increasingly looking to collaborate with influencers that have higher engagement, not just a bunch of followers. Video is an excellent multifaceted tool. It allows you to generate higher profits while simultaneously connecting you with brands you trust. But making great video content will require you come across personable, so you’ll need to feel comfortable! But how do you get more comfortable in front of the camera? I’ve got some tips I can offer.

4 Ways To Get More Comfortable In Front Of The Camera

Practice

This may seem obvious but it’s an important point to make. You won’t be able to get better if you don’t practice. If seeing the camera in front of you gives you the jitters there are some ways to work around that. If you have a topic in mind that you’d like to film, try talking out loud, pretending as if you are in front of the camera. Go over your points, and then repeat them. Another tip I recommend is recording just your voice, a lot of phones have voice recording apps already installed. Once you are done, listen to it. How do you sound? Do you have a lot of unwanted pauses? Do you have any verbal ticks like um or ugh? Listening to yourself speak can help you to improve quickly. Practicing can help you get more comfortable with the material, which will help with the nerves.

Imagine You Are Talking to a Friend or Family Member

When the camera is on you, try to take your mind to another place. Imagine you are just talking with a friend, someone you trust and are comfortable with. This will help you feel more calm and able to glide through the conversation at ease. If imagining it is difficult, you can try putting a photo of a loved one near the camera. Looking at their photo while you talk can really help!

Prepare Your Talking Notes

Many people think you need a full blown script before you can get in front of a camera. I actually recommend something a little less intrusive. An outline gives the basic talking points you want to cover, without putting you in a box of words. Scripts can come off inauthentic and stuffy, you aren’t an actor! You want your authentic self to come through, and memorizing a script can create the opposite effect. You’re more likely to get in your head too much and it will translate on camera. So try making an outline of your talking points, practice speaking freely about them and hit record!

Focus on Something Other Than The Camera

I had a client that was so afraid of looking at the camera that she couldn’t think. She eventually told me that the actual red record button was freaking her out, that she was prepared but just the sight of it was causing her distress. So, I told her to look just off camera, at me. You may have seen this style done in documentaries, where the person is turned slightly to one side and looking just off camera. For that particular video, this solution worked perfectly. In your case, it may be a different story. But if you too have a fear of the dreaded red button, cover it up! You can use tape or maybe even that photo of your family member from tip 2. Whatever it takes so that you don’t focus on the fact that you are being recorded.

Last Updated on February 27, 2024