While live-streaming videos are all the rage nowadays, creating a great live video show takes more than just clicking a button. It takes a whole lot of practice and patience – not to mention confidence – to get comfortable in front of the camera.
Camera shy? New to streaming? Doing it for a while but still get the jitters when you see that red light on your webcam?
Here’s how to overcome those fears and become more confident in front of the camera:
1. Practice makes perfect!
You might think that video is only for people who are good at speaking or entertaining, but that’s not true. Anyone, including you, can do it – because, just like with any other skill, the more you practice with video, the better you’ll become.
So take some time out of your day to record yourself talking about something you care about, whether it’s your hobbies, interests, or even your favorite TV shows. The more you practice, the easier it will be to get into character and deliver your best performance.
2. Prepare!
As the adage goes: preparation is key.
Before you hit that “record” button, make sure you’ve got everything you need to give a fantastic presentation. Prepare your equipment minutes before going live, and have a good lighting setup ready. Dress up for the occasion, too.
And most importantly, think through what you will say. If you need help recalling ideas, keep your run-of-show notes nearby. You’ll never know what you’ll come up with during your stream, so always be prepared.
3. Don’t worry about being perfect!
When you first begin recording, you may find yourself second-guessing every word you speak – and that’s totally fine!
Everybody gets in that tough spot every once in a while. But remember, nobody cares how well you speak as long as they can hear you clearly and understand you well. So instead of worrying about the imperfections in your video, focus on delivering a clear message to your viewers.
4. Be yourself!
One of the most challenging things about video is how people can quickly tell if you’re being authentic or trying to be somebody else. So how do you show up authentically to engage your audience without coming off as phony?
The answer is simple: be yourself!
If you’re nervous about putting yourself out there and showing your personality, remember that nobody cares about how you speak or look. Your audiences watch your video so they can learn from you, not so they can judge you. So instead of worrying about how you sound, focus on sharing your knowledge and expertise and let your personality shine!
Getting Comfortable in Front of the Camera
So there you have it: 4 tips to get comfortable in front of the camera.
Which tip do you think was the most helpful? Were there any other tips you’ve heard that should be included in this list? Let us know in the comments!
