Five Ways to Overcome your Fear of Speaking on Camera
Posted on August 03, 2019 by Margaux J Rathbun, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.
Do you want to become an influencer? Want to start a vlog or YouTube channel? Don't let the fear of speaking on camera hold you back!
In the digital era, it’s incredibly important to keep your followers and clientele engaged with you and your business, both on and offline. Whether you are promoting your products or trying to connect with your followers on social media, there’s nothing quite as personal and effective as a sharing video content. But we understand that no matter how successful, powerful and beautiful you are, you’re only human. And guess what? It is TOTALLY normal for you to feel anxiety about getting on camera. Putting yourself out there on video is a scary thing! While there’s no guaranteed fix to overcoming the fear of being on camera, there are a few simple steps that you can take in order to alleviate your anxiousness. So, without further ado, here are five ways to help you overcome your fear of speaking on camera.
1. Practice, practice, practice – Making high quality, creative, engaging videos is a skill. And just like every other skill, it will require time, effort, and practice. Just like Brian May didn’t pick up a guitar once and automatically become on the most well-known guitar players in the world, you’re not going to set up a camera once and instantly know exactly how to handle lighting, recording, sound, editing, and all the other tiny details that make a video excellent. So, don’t be afraid to make videos whenever you get the chance. Long or short, funny or serious, scripted or unscripted, there’s no better way to boost your confidence than to keep practicing. Give it some time! You’ll figure out what style of video works best for you, and from there, it will get easier and easier. Not to mention, when you start to get a positive response from your audience, you’ll find the inspiration to produce more videos.
2. Know your audience – It may sound like a no-brainer but if you’re going to make a video, make sure you know who you’re making it for. You need to determine how to speak to your target audience so they will be inclined to engage with you and your video. Unfortunately, people may make judgements based on how we talk, so it’s important to make sure that you’re monitoring how your language may come across to others. For example, if your brand is targeted towards the teenage population, it may be valuable to learn how to use modern slang appropriately, as well as make references that your audience would understand. By understanding what your audience wants to hear (and how they want to hear it), you can communicate with them more effectively, and in return, generate more engagement.
3. Don’t record videos when your sick, tired, hungry, etc. – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…the camera doesn’t lie! If you are tired, hungry, irritable or just not feeling 100 percent, all your viewers will know. It’s pretty obvious if you don’t want to be recording, so it’s best to save making videos for days when you’re genuinely invested in doing it. If you seem unenthusiastic about what you’re saying, it’ll translate directly to your audience and sour their video watching experience. Believe it or not, this can reflect negatively on your brand. Also, when you feel bad physically, you’re most likely not going to like the way you appear on camera, which can be a big confidence drainer. So, for your sake, try and make videos when you’re rested, well-fed, hydrated and feel both emotionally and physically ready to make them. Your audience, and your self-esteem, will thank you.
4. Remember it’s not about you- You’re not making these videos because YOU need a glimpse of your day-to-day life or YOU need to be sold on your product. You’re making these videos because you want to connect with your base on a personal, deeper level and change their life in meaningful ways. Your job is to inspire, educate and encourage other people, so don’t get too caught up in yourself. By putting videos into the context of helping others, you may find it easier to speak from your heart and feel more confident, rather than just thinking about your fear. So next time, before you start to film, reflect on what you want your video to do for other people and how you can best provide them with the information you want to get across. Don’t forget, videos are meant to help elevate your social media presence and make it a more positive place for everyone involved.
5. Be yourself – You’re making these videos because you have a fanbase of people who like you, your product, and your brand. The fact that you’ve made it to the point where you’re even considering starting to make videos means that you’ve acquired some sort of stable following, so now’s not the time to shy away from letting the world see the real you. Think of your audience like they’re a good friend. Your friends (along with the majority of the people viewing your video) want to watch you succeed and flourish, so relax. They want to like you. Allow yourself to be conversational and really try to connect with your audience like they’re sitting right in front of you. Don’t be afraid to let your audience see the REAL you.
Whether it’s your first or thousandth time making a video, it’s totally normal to feel anxious. Your anxiety is a good sign that you care about what you’re doing and genuinely want to make quality content. So, before choosing to not make a video because of your fear, try and follow these five steps to see if they make the process any easier. Though I can’t promise that video producing will always be fun, I promise that with practice and patience, you’ll find much more success as you embark into the world of video making. So, what are you waiting for? Set up that tripod, turn on your lights and start recording!
Margaux J Rathbun is a freelance marketing manager that specializes in working with entrepreneurs and influencers. She has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, promotions and content creation. Margaux is also a well-known influencer from the health and wellness industry. She has spoken at events around the world and has been featured in a variety of media outlets including Forbes, PerezHilton.com, Shape Magazine, The Huffington Post and Self Magazine. Margaux now works with business owners from around the world, helping them build their brand through the use of social media. She also serves as a mentor to social media influencers.
