Looking confident on camera when you hate being on film!

Are you camera shy? If you have a deep-rooted dislike of having your photograph taken then the chances are the thought of appearing in front of the camera for marketing purposes probably fills you with dread.

Unless you have an unfulfilled desire to become an actor, then starring in a business video for social media might be something you have put firmly to the back of your to-do list.

You might know the potential benefits of featuring yourself in video content for your business, particularly on social media.

Showing the people behind a business is proven to build trust far more than using actors. Authenticity counts when it comes to engaging with your customers, and you, or the people who work for you, will portray that in a video best, leading others to trust your brand.

You don’t have to take our word for it, this is scientifically proven! Our brains are wired to respond to human faces, and this is something we adopt from the moment we are born. Therefore, our understanding of social cues comes from facial expressions.

However, our fear of performing in front of the camera is also natural, and something many people will find uncomfortable.

So, if you need some persuasion, a little courage, and tips on how to avoid looking amateurish, then read on.

Feel comfortable with the script

If you’re familiar with what you want to say, you will feel more confident when you say it. Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat the night before you’re due to give a presentation having dreamt you forgot the words? The fear we feel of messing up when making a video is the same. Unless you are super brave and are going live, then you have the advantage of being able to do numerous re-takes with pre-recorded content until you get it right.

However, learning a script and making sure you are comfortable with the wording and tone will give you the confidence to deliver it naturally and authentically, along with saving time when it comes to filming. Just as you might practice a presentation – read the script out loud, or in front of someone you trust. If there are any points where you stumble, try rewording. Ensure you set the right pace so you are not too slow or too fast and ask for feedback on where to improve.

Scripting your video will also ensure you get across exactly what you want to say. Viewers will soon scroll on if you are bumbling and rambling on with no point to make.

Be yourself

When making your video you want to come across as natural. Viewers will soon spot fake, over-acting or a lack of enthusiasm. You want to aim for engaging but natural, which is not easy to master.

It might sound cringe but practising in front of a mirror could really help. Alternatively, do a few recordings for yourself on your phone beforehand to see how you come across. You might think your face is animated and engaging but discover you look bored. Or worse, you could be over-animated and look like a children’s TV presenter!

Your aim is to be natural and not take yourself too seriously.

Consider your outfit choice

Most of us feel more confident when we are comfortable and look good. However, putting on your best party frock for the occasion might not be appropriate! You need to consider how you want to present yourself and your brand. If, for example, you are a fitness instructor, wearing a smart suit, even if you feel good in it, clearly would not be right.

Remember, your goal is to engage with your audience so your outfit should help you achieve that rather than being too distracting. Solid colours usually work best. Avoid big logos, wrinkled clothes, or intricate patterns which can be distracting for your audience.

Don’t forget to make sure jewellery or accessories don’t get in the way or make a noise, such as chunky metal bracelets which might jingle.

With regards to make-up, wear whatever you would normally. Try using make-up which you don’t notice, this is often best for the camera. You will feel uncomfortable with heavy make-up on your skin if this is not your usual look. This will come across on screen and make it difficult to appear genuine.

Camera position

Be honest, in the last year you’ve probably sniggered to yourself at someone’s unfortunate camera angle on a Zoom call. Whether it’s looking right up their nostrils or down their top, the position of your camera is crucial to avoiding looking amateurish.

If you’re a successful selfie taker then you probably already know a bit about where to best place the camera. The same applies to shooting a video. Ideally, the camera wants to be just above your eyeline which is a much more flattering angle than viewing upwards and giving yourself a double chin. Instead, angle the camera down towards your face.

If someone else is recording for you, a step could come in handy so they don’t have to strain holding the camera up high.

Hopefully, these tips will give you a bit more confidence to feature in your own video. Give it a go and you might surprise yourself with the results. You never know, you could become the next social media influencer!

Recommended Posts
Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt