You want to create engaging and impactful video content, but you are worried about looking awkward or sounding unnatural. Whether you are recording for your YouTube channel or need to be confident on a Zoom call, here are tips to build confidence for the camera.
Practicing daily, analyzing footage, and remaining natural will help you become comfortable speaking on camera.
1. Practice
Whether you’re preparing for your next on-camera interview or just want to feel more confident when creating video content, there are plenty of helpful tips and tricks you can implement. The key to feeling confident on camera is practice. Whether it’s recording yourself in the car, in the shower, or just impromptu at home, practicing on your own can help you feel more comfortable and confident when it comes time to record for the real thing.
One of the biggest reasons people struggle on camera is they don’t know what they’re going to say, which can lead to filler words like “um” and “uh.” By jotting down notes or scripting your piece ahead of time, you can be more prepared for when it’s time to record and will reduce the amount of time you spend using these distracting phrases.
Speaking confidently on camera also requires you to be able to connect your thoughts and ideas into a cohesive timeline. Practicing daily for 30 days without using cards or a teleprompter can help you be more prepared for when it’s time for your next video and can train your brain to speak naturally.
Another important aspect of being confident on camera is knowing that the audience will be able to relate to and engage with your message. Being able to talk about your passion and show enthusiasm will help you look and sound more confident. Practicing in front of friends and family can also help you determine what you’re doing right, as well as what you can improve on. This can be a great way to get constructive feedback that will allow you to improve and feel more confident when it’s time for your next video!
2. Be Prepared
You’re in front of the camera, recording a video that will impact your audience. You have a purpose and a message to share, and you need to convey all of that in a way that is engaging and authentic. Yet, you start to mumble your way through your sentences and stumble over your words as your confidence begins to fade. You look down at your notes and struggle to maintain eye contact with your viewers.
Whether you’re creating a YouTube video, a live streaming webinar, or a podcast episode, you need to be prepared for anything that comes your way. You never know when equipment will fail, someone won’t show up, or something else will go wrong.
Being prepared for any situation can help you exude confidence on camera. This means knowing your topic inside and out, practicing your content, and even having a script or cue cards to use as a reference. Having a script or notes can also give you a chance to practice your voice and pronunciation to ensure you aren’t mumbling or overpronouncing your words. It can also give you a chance to practice pauses, inflection, and body language before the actual shoot.
Being prepared also includes knowing what type of content you will record, the goals for the video, and having a backup plan in case things don’t go according to plan. For example, if you’re planning on creating a fitness video, it helps to have a workout routine planned or even a series of different types of workouts that your workout enthusiast audience would enjoy. This will give you a purpose and focus for the video so that when you’re in front of the camera, you have a sense of urgency to create the best video you can.
3. Look Your Best
You’ll feel more confident in front of the camera when you look your best. So make sure you’re wearing clothes that suit your style & are comfortable to move in. Choose colors that flatter your skin tone, & don’t forget to do your hair & makeup so you look polished. A bright lipstick or a bold eyeshadow may help you appear more vibrant on camera, but keep in mind that too much makeup can look unnatural or overdone.
Having a clear understanding of your content will also give you confidence when speaking on camera. Take the time to organize your ideas & write them down in an outline or script. This will ensure that you don’t fumble over your words & won’t be stuck on an awkward phrase while recording. It will also help you maintain a steady tempo & flow of speech, which will prevent your voice from becoming shaky or monotonous. If you’re nervous about remembering your script, consider using a teleprompter to eliminate the risk of forgetting your lines or sounding robotic.
When delivering your video, it’s important to maintain eye contact with the camera lens. This will help you connect with your audience on a personal level, making them feel like you’re talking directly to them. If maintaining eye contact is challenging for you, try to think of the camera as being the eyes of your good friend.
When you know that the video you’re recording will provide value to your audience, you’ll be more confident in delivering it. For example, fitness influencers such as Kayla Itsines have a strong sense of confidence while on camera because she knows that her workout enthusiast followers will appreciate seeing videos of her recording various types of workouts.
4. Maintain Eye Contact
Eye contact is the best way to convey confidence and presence in a situation. It can help you network better, land a job interview, and even intimidate your enemies (well, maybe not). When you make eye contact with someone it gives them the impression that you are confident and assertive, which makes it more likely that they will believe what you have to say. Eye contact also slows down your rate of speech, making it appear more calm and confident.
However, if you’re naturally shy or nervous, maintaining eye contact may be difficult. It’s important to practice with friends and family before attempting it in a real-life setting. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but with time it will become natural to you. If you are struggling to keep eye contact, try a few of these techniques:
When talking with people, look them in the eyes for 3-5 seconds before looking away. Don’t dart your eyes around or glare sideways at them, as these signals shyness and nervousness. Looking down can also seem uneasy and defensive. Instead, slowly glance from side to side. This technique can feel more comfortable and it doesn’t give off the same uneasy signals.
While eye contact is a powerful tool, it’s not for everyone. Avoiding eye contact can be a sign of mental health conditions like social anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. It can also be a result of low self-esteem or a lack of confidence. If you are avoiding eye contact because of an underlying issue, it’s important to address that before trying to improve your eye-contact skills. You can start by slowly increasing your eye-contact tolerance over time, and using strategies such as the 50/70 rule and the triangle method.
5. Be Yourself
Be yourself, even when you’re nervous or on camera. This is the only way to show up in a true, genuine, and authentic way. When you’re yourself, people can see that you care about them, and they want to be around you. They may not always agree with you or like your ideas, but they will respect and trust you for who you are.
Think of someone who is unapologetically themselves – they may dress weird, have quirky mannerisms, or talk fast. While they may occasionally get in trouble or attract judging glares from nearby strangers, they are 100% themselves and they’re always confident in who they are. Being yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort.
When you’re on camera, remember that your audience is watching and listening to you, and it’s important to show up as yourself. The best videos are natural and relatable, and your audience will only engage with you if they believe that you’re being yourself.
When you’re on camera, be yourself, even when you’re nervous or you don’t feel like you have anything valuable to say. Focus on the fact that your viewers will benefit from your video and it will make you feel more confident. Also, try to make eye contact with the camera lens instead of looking at the screen, which can be distracting. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but it will help you appear more confident. It will also help you avoid looking at your hands if they’re in the frame. This is something that you can practice in advance by rehearsing your content before recording it. You can also use cue cards or a teleprompter to help you stay on track during your shoot.
