Get camera confident: overcoming barriers to video

Camera confidence doesn’t always come naturally. Yes, some people are born confident, but the others need to practice a bit more to get camera confident and impress everyone with their video communication.

Today we’re going to teach you how to feel more comfortable on camera, establish strong on-screen confidence, and obtain practical tips for speaking on camera. Before we get started, it’s important to note that we’ll be giving our best tips for recording and sending personalized videos using a video email platform like Covideo. However, most of these tips should help you get confident on camera regardless of the purpose!

We've compiled our top 7 tips for overcoming barriers to appearing on video and shining as your best self.

1. Bullet points for being bulletproof

If you know what you’re going to talk about in your video, you've already significantly downsized the possibility of camera anxiety. Compose yourself before hitting that record button. Draft out some main bullet points or a small script with the most relevant topics you want to say in your video. It doesn’t have to be a massive, fancy scenario: a couple of small post-its with a few bullets will help you a lot. Just summarize all the things you want to emphasize, determine your primary message, and scribble it down on a piece of paper. You will instantly feel more comfortable and appear more confident in front of the camera.

2. The great pretender

No, we’re not suggesting you should listen to that great Freddie Mercury song before filming a video. (But if it might help, go for it!) One of the most excellent tips for speaking on camera is pretending that you’re talking to your friend. That’s right – pretend like you’re having a conversation with a person who you feel comfortable with. It might even work better if you imagine that person is behind the lens, recording you. Your imagination will help you to relax and create a more natural environment, even though you’ll most likely be on your own. You will speak more fluently and conversationally, and your body language on camera will be more natural, clear, and positive. Not the worst way to build camera confidence, right?

3. Practice makes confident

Even though it sounds cliche, the all-known “practice makes perfect” routine will help you best when it comes to trying to master any skill. Getting camera confident isn’t much different. The more you practice, the more confident you will become. Sit every day in front of the camera; say what you’re about to say and repeat it. Record, delete, record again. You can do it as many times as you want. Talking in front of the mirror can also be as useful.

With time, your camera confidence will grow. You’ll get rid that annoying, nervous feeling, and it will become natural for you to talk to your camera as genuinely as if you’re talking to a real person. Don’t strive for perfection, though. No video is perfect, and no video should be. The authenticity is what makes video communication so ideal!

4. Get your energy up

Let’s be clear – if you’re not inspired or moved in any way while recording that video, how do you expect for others to feel that way? To keep your videos exciting, engaging, and inspiring, you need to get your energy on the right level. It’s a fact that the camera can “drain” your energy a bit, so make sure to increase your power a few times. People don’t want to listen to a robotic-like creature that dictates text, and they certainly don’t want to watch it, too. Deliver your video message exactly as you would in person.

This might challenge you to get outside of your comfort zone – be more animated, talk louder (but don’t yell) and amplify the gesticulation. Get rid of that stiff, unnatural body and loosen up, talk with arms. If you’re sitting, sit up straight, but in a casual and comfortable position. If you’re standing, make sure your camera is at eye level, relax your shoulders, and lose that formal, uptight position. Remember to breathe, don’t be afraid to blink, and of course, smile! A warm smile at the beginning and the end will automatically make YOU feel more comfortable and it will also appear that way to the viewer as well.

5. Don’t afraid to be an introvert

Remember those born-confident people we mentioned in the beginning? Those people might not be as camera confident as you expect. Sometimes people who are a natural attention-grabbers in a room are the same ones who freeze in front of the camera.

Extroverts, who usually lead the conversation in groups of people, get their energy from others. To be confident, they may need to have a real audience, listening, nodding their heads, exclaiming, and smiling. When it’s just them and their lens, it can become a struggle.

On the other hand, if you are on the introverted side and don’t feel comfortable on camera in front of a large group of coworkers, find a quiet space and record your videos in there. This will take away another anxious barrier and allow you to be yourself and focus on your message without worrying about your surroundings.

6. Let there be light!

Alright, we’re covered some of the body language, tone, and verbal components, so now let’s take care of some technical issues. First up, lighting. Take advantage of the natural light by recording yourself in front of a window or go outside (but make sure it’s not a loud environment which will dampen your video and muffle your message). You can also invest in some affordable but useful gear, such as professional flash stands, ring lights, or a simple selfie-light online. You’ll be surprised how balanced and professional your video will come out. However, these are definitely not necessary to create your videos!

7. Plan your content

If you plan what you’re going to record next week, you’ll also get more mentally prepared for what is coming. Let’s say you have a thank you video, a partnership proposal video, and one check in video with a client. If you plan their scripts, timelines, and deadlines for sending at the very beginning of the week, there won’t be much space for that camera anxiety. Create a powerful intro and flesh out a conclusion. Add a simple call at the very end, and let your recipients know how to reach you.

Next steps for camera confience

So there you have it – seven simple ways to get confidence on camera. It isn’t always easy to be camera confident, and not everyone can feel like it all the time. The most important part is to find your style, determine what suits you best, and detect what resonates best with your audience.

All of this is possible only if you give it a try – multiple times! Create your content, share it with people that matter, and enjoy their feedback. Cherish all your efforts and celebrate all the small victories. What matters the most when trying to get that camera confidence is being consistent and believing in yourself along the way.

If you want to remove plain-text email barriers and make your message finally heard, start using video in your daily communication. Start a free trial of Covideo to try it out!