7 Quick Tips For On Camera Confidence

Everyone I speak to right now is trying to?use video to grow their business online?but so many people say they just need some tips to get them started in front of the camera. What they need is on camera confidence.

I totally understand the pain.

I’ve worked in TV and video for over 30 years as a producer, director, presenter and celebrity stylist so?I KNOW all the insider tricks?when it comes to presenting content?like a pro. I’m very experienced when it comes to getting clients started with smartphone video success the easy way.

If you are just starting out with video then here are my Top 7 Tips for on camera confidence to help you get it done.

1: Stand Up

I always advise clients who are new to presenting videos to stand up! If you are sitting in a chair on on your sofa it is SO easy to slouch or for your clothing to bunch up. You immediately look a mess.

Sitting means you can look too casual and you really don’t want to lean back and come across as over confident! Standing up to present your chat when you first start means it is easier to take a few good deep breaths before you speak and make yourself appear calmer and confident.

SO, stand up, look straight and let’s get going. . .

2: Eyeline Matters

Make sure that you are looking down the lens when you speak on camera. This is a huge help connecting with your viewers so you want to make sure that you engage them straight away.

If you are reading your chat from a teleprompter app don’t forget to move that copy right next to the lens on your smartphone. You would be AMAZED at how many people starting out look at the screen and not down the lens.

This is such an easy win so make sure you look in the right place right away.

3: Say It Like You Mean It

When you are presenting to camera the trick is to imagine you are talking to just one person. This could be your best friend, your business partner or an imaginary new client. Try to imagine yourself speaking to just this one helpful person.

This means you’re more focused on what you are saying to them, rather than trying to engage with everyone and it makes your chat more personal and relaxed.

Smiling can make your video stand out big time. If you look like you’re relaxed and engaged it encourages your audience to feel relaxed along with you. Viewers equate smiling with confidence so don’t worry how silly or cheesy you feel, just get smiling.

4: Do Some Voice Warm Ups

Humming and lip trills are an easy way to get your facial muscles ready for your record.

These improve your vocal tone quality and are basically the noise you used to make as a child imitating the sound of a car or aeroplane.

You can do your voice warm ups in the shower! Professional voice over artists and broadcasters often do as the humidity helps your throat, vocal folds and more. Try to do five of these before you press record.

Do this exercise five times

1 . Close your mouth

2. Support the corners of your mouth with your fingertips

3. Relax your lips

4. Start with a little buzz when you exhale

5.. If you cant get going concentrate on relaxing your lips

Next pick a tongue twister or run through them all:

1 .?What time does the wristwatch strap shop shut?

2.?No need to light a nightlight on a light night like tonight

3.?Four furious friends fought for the first phone fiercely

4.?Any noise annoys an oyster, but a noisy noise annoys an oyster most

5.?Someone said something simple, a simple something said to me. Simply simple someone said, a simple something said to me

5: Move Your Hands

Don’t think you have to stand rigid when you are doing your chat. If you are person that uses your hands when you speak, then carry on doing just that!!

Using your hands can help you look relaxed and natural, just make sure you don’t wave them around in front of your face. That definitely does not look good!

Using your hands for emphasis can help get your message across and inject a bit of your natural personality into your videos.

6: Know What To Say

If you are starting out presenting video, don’t try and say too much!! It is much better to have a series of short 15 to 30 second good quality videos than a rambling minute where you are not confident about what you are saying.

Make sure you start with a “good clear strong in”

“Hi, I am X and today in this video I am going to tell you about X”

Then have 3 or 5 points you want to share prepared

Use bullet points if you don’t want to use a teleprompter but don’t try and memorise.

Finish with a good “out” – this is usually your call to action

Whatever your end statement, make sure you say it with energy and a smile. So many people make a classic mistake of start off strong and then the video just tail offs as they lose focus and energy. Don’t let this happen to you.

7: Frame Up Tricks

Having the right place to shoot your video can really help your confidence.

Ideally you want a neutral professional background but if your background is not perfect or you are shooting from home then use the blur to disguise your space.

If you are on an iphone check out the?Focos Live app. It costs ￡12 ($17) and is currently the best app out there for creating a quick bokeh look background on your iPhone.

The Samsung Live focus video button allows you to blur out your background in real time and Samsung have added a live focus button to their Galaxy S21 series, S20, S20+ S20 Ultra and Z Flip models.

If you are on an android device, you can try shooting with your inbuilt telephoto lens,or if your device does not have one, you can get a?clip on lens?from around ￡14 ($20). The key is to shoot yourself close to the camera and in a space that has a good depth of field. You can’t get the blur if you are sat right up against a wall or in a tight spot.

When you frame up, think about filling your screen with your top half it is a common common way people choose to look more confident. Make sure you leave a bit of head room but do use a full frame style, it makes viewers immediately think of you as a commanding expert!

If you want to know more about camera confidence and how to get started with smartphone video success then just?click here.

You can do this!