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What might bring you more joy than a banquet of beautiful food and free massages? Avoiding requests to be in front of the camera for a marketing video might be your answer. Many shy away from being on camera, feeling self-conscious, and noticing every little imperfection. But here’s the thing: Video is a potent tool for increasing trust and closing more deals. So, how can you get over your video-jitters and become comfortable and most importantly likeable on camera?
In this article, you’re going to learn about 7 tips to become likeable and comfortable on video. By the end of this read, you’ll be ready to jump in front of the camera with less hesitation.
- Tip #1: Tidy Up Yourself (& Your Surroundings)
- Tip #2: Prepare, but Don’t Over-Rehearse
- Tip #3: Push Through Your Mistakes
- Tip #4: Start with a Smile & Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Hands
- Tip #5: Create Video as Much as Possible
- Tip #6: Know Your Audience & “Read the Room”
- But, Which Videos Should I Produce?
Tip #1: Tidy Up Yourself (& Your Surroundings)
One of the quickest ways to feel uncomfortable in any situation is to neglect your appearance. We’ve all had those moments when we felt a bit lazy, didn’t dress up as much as we should have, or realised our hair could use an extra brushing.
And then there’s the dreaded scenario: when you invite someone over, and you find yourself frantically tossing shoes and dog toys aside, or shoving mail off the kitchen counter into a bin as your guests walk in the door.
Now, apply that same concept to video.
Picture yourself preparing to go on camera. Just as you’d want to make a great impression when someone comes over to your home, you should treat your video appearance with the same care.
Here are three essential questions to ask yourself:
- Am I dressed appropriately for the occasion and putting my best foot forward? Dressing appropriately doesn’t always mean wearing formal attire. It’s about choosing an outfit that suits the context and helps you look and feel your best
- Do I feel comfortable in what I’m wearing and how I look? Comfort is key. When you’re comfortable in your attire and appearance, it shows in your confidence on camera
- Is there anything I should clean up or arrange before I turn on the camera? Just as you would tidy up your home before guests arrive, make sure your video surroundings are clean and organised. This could involve doing a quick camera check to see what appears in the frame, ensuring there are no distractions or clutter
Taking these steps not only boosts your confidence in front of the camera but also enhances your overall appearance.
Even in a casual video, addressing these three questions can significantly contribute to your video’s success.
Tip #2: Prepare, but Don’t Over-Rehearse
Video is a powerful medium because it fosters authentic, human-to-human connections. It’s the unscripted moments, the genuine reactions, and the real emotions that make video so compelling. Therefore, the last thing you want is to come across as scripted and insincere.
But does this mean you should simply wing it and hope for the best?
Not quite. Planning is essential, but there’s a fine line between preparation and over-rehearsing.
For example, rather than writing an entire script, you may write down some key points or topics that you’ll be covering in your video. These serve as guideposts, moving you through each stage of the video comfortably.
When you script it too much, it can be difficult to feel comfortable because there’s pressure to conform to the script. Having that flexibility of word choice makes it much more relaxed.
However, at the same time, you want to have a structure for your video. This is where those notes come into play. Having a clear structure, almost like a blog outline, is one of the best ways to plan your video without over-rehearsing.
This works well for shorter videos. For longer videos, you might want to use a teleprompter, so that you can actually follow a script comfortably.
Video works because it fosters authentic, human-to-human connections. So, if you rehearse what you’re going to say too much, you’ll sound scripted and insincere.
That’s not to say, however, that you shouldn’t plan. And that is the crux of this tip – plan the right way.
Tip #3: Push Through Your Mistakes
When you’re having a conversation in every day life and you pronounce a word incorrectly you don’t pause and do an entire re-run. You just keep going.
That’s the key for this tip.
Videos work best when you drop the need to be perfect on camera, and you embrace the authenticity of human error. In fact, doing so can help you form a better connection with your audience, because they’ll be able to relate to you.
Here’s some practical ways you can do this:
- Inject Humour: When you stumble over a word, inject humour. For example, you might acknowledge the hiccup and say “Well, you know what I’m trying to saw here”, followed by a smile and a laugh.
- Restate the word and continue: Simply restate the word and continue without really acknowledging it. This sends the message to your audience that you know you’re not perfect, and it helps you build relatability
Mistakes and stumbles are natural and unavoidable, much like falling down in a game of football. The people watching you, whether they realize it or not, are seeking a genuine connection with a real human being. These moments of authenticity humanize you and make you relatable.
Remember, scripted robots may sound perfect, but they often lack the genuine quality that makes a real connection.
So, the key takeaway here is simple: Don’t yell “Cut!” because of a confused word or a stutter. Embrace your humanity, smile, push through, and keep going. And if you genuinely need a couple of takes, avoid doing them consecutively. Take a break, regroup, and return to it when it feels fresh, like the first time all over again.
Tip #4: Start with a Smile & Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Hands
When you’re recording a video, you want to create an inviting atmosphere. And the best way to do that is to start with a smile and use your hands.
Before hitting the record button, or even during the 3-2-1 countdown if you’re using a software like Loom, begin with a smile.
This simple act helps you avoid that awkward moment when your initial expression doesn’t match the enthusiasm required for your video.
On top of that, smiling naturally enhances the friendliness and approachability of your voice, as though you’re inviting a friend to join you for a conversation. It makes it more engaging and creates that relatability and connection that your audience is seeking.
Using your hands is another effective method to create an inviting atmosphere. Imagine being told that you have to stand in front of the camera and keep your hands by your side without moving them. How uncomfortable would that make you?
And yet, when many people get in front of their camera, their arms drop by their sides and they become stiff. This not only makes you, the person on camera, uncomfortable, but also creates a sense of rigidity and insincerity. Your own energy transfers to the camera, and the viewer takes that in. If you feel uncomfortable, chances are, so will your audience, and they probably won’t be able to trust your words when that happens.
Now imagine being free to move your hands around to communicate with your audience as you speak, just as you might see in everyday conversations. What do you think changes?
For starters, you’ll feel naturally more comfortable. You’ll be able to get your message across more effectively, and you’ll feel more free in your communication style.
And just like before, that energy will transfer through the camera and your audience will feel confident with what you’re saying. You’ll build trust, and you’ll become likeable.
So, remember, starting with a smile and embracing natural body language, including gestures and hand movements, can significantly enhance your on-camera presence and make your videos more engaging and relatable.
Tip #5: Create Video as Much as Possible
This might seem simple, but it’s powerful.
The more you place yourself in front of a camera, the easier video creation becomes. To put it simply, the more you embrace video, the less likely you are to break into a cold sweat whenever someone whips out a camera.
If you’re not recording videos often, one way you can do this is by using video to send messages, as opposed to lengthy emails. Download a software like Loom and create video messages for your colleagues whenever you get the opportunity.
By challenging yourself to leverage video as frequently as you can, you may notice that each time you fire up your trusty webcam, the words flow more naturally, and best practices become second nature.
Moreover, fully embracing video will teach you to think on your feet, allowing you to riff on topics without being tethered to scripts or heavily edited content.
So, as you embark on your video journey, remember that consistent practice is your ally. The more you create video content, the more comfortable and proficient you’ll become.
Tip #6: Know Your Audience & “Read the Room”
This is more of a mindset than a tip.
Think about the last serious conversation you had with someone. Did you go into the conversation with lots of energy? Or did you have a more serious tone?
The answer is probably that you had a more serious tone. You changed your disposition to match the energy of the conversation and what was needed.
The same goes with video. You don’t want to jump in with any particular type of energy without first thinking about what energy your audience requires.
Think about your audience’s identity, their expectations from your message, and the desired emotional impact of your video. From there, then you can think about how you want to come across on video, and that will give you your answer on exactly what sort of energy to bring to the table.
Beginning with a focus on your audience sets the stage for success. So, as you embark on your video endeavours, remember that prioritising your audience’s perspective is your ultimate pathway to triumph.
But What Videos Should I Produce?
As you continue your video journey, keep these principles in mind.
Remember, your audience seeks a genuine connection, and your authenticity is your greatest asset. So, whether you’re delivering marketing content, collaborating with colleagues, or connecting with friends and family, approach the camera with confidence, warmth, and a willingness to engage.
Now that you know how to be likeable and comfortable on video, you’re probably wondering, which videos should you focus on producing?
We’ve pinpointed 7 videos that help close more deals than any other type of video. Start with these seven.
🔎 Read: 7 Types of Videos That Help Sales Reps Close More Deals
