From Anxious to Natural: 2 Mind Shifts and 2 Helpful Tools for Video Recording

One of the most common reasons people avoid creating podcast or video content for their business is not a good reason.

"I'm not good on camera (or on microphone)."

Again. Not a good reason.

I once saw Marcus Sheridan say that you can speak on camera if you know how to talk to people.

I agree.

But I'll take that a step further and share some advice to help you take your first steps toward becoming an engaging on-air video personality or podcaster.

Don't View Yourself as a Broadcaster

I recently worked with a client who wanted to start producing video and podcast content. As I learned more about him and his goals, he listed several big-name media personalities he wanted to "be like."

This is a common mistake, and it doesn't always have to be the big names in broadcasting.

Podcasters sometimes try to "sound" like other podcasters they've heard.

? Don't make this mistake.

The whole point of this exercise is to show your audience who YOU are.

I told this client that while those were some great names, there were things he would bring to the table that they did not have.

If he had focused on trying to be like them, people would have never seen what was unique about him.

Here's the other thing:

Don't "Broadcast." Talk to One Person.

Do this in front of the camera or behind the microphone. That's how you develop connections and relationships with your consumer.

They only hear you - not everyone else in watching or listening in the world. So talk to them.

Too many people open their videos with "HEY GUYS!"

It's so...impersonal.

Don't Obsess Over What People Will Think

Speaking of those "guys," don't obsess over what all of them are going to think of you. You'd be amazed at how empowering and helpful it is to drop that stress out of your mind.

I once heard a new author talk about her first speaking engagements following the release of her book. She talked about how those first couple of presentations were nerve-racking because her mind obsessed over a series of questions as she spoke.

Questions like:

• Do they like me?
• Do they think I'm good at this?
• Do I sound good to them?
• Is this good advice for everyone?

Then, she said she became a "better" speaker after she stopped obsessing over these things.

She said, inevitably, these concerns were also selfish. It put too much stock in what was good for her and not the audience.

This can apply to your approach to video.

Video Content Superman Atiba de Souza says it's best to start small, practice and focus on value. Then, get feedback from trusted colleagues.

Apply this to subscriber growth.

Growing listeners and subscribers takes time. Seeing low numbers in the first few months can sometimes be jarring to new podcasters or video personalities.

It's critical to change your thinking when it comes to those numbers. Instead of looking at them and thinking:

?? "Those are really low numbers.'

Instead, think of it this way:

?? "I'm off to a good start. And if those people find my content to be valuable - that means there are others like them. I just have to reach them."

Improving over time is part of everyone's approach. Some of the biggest names in podcasting and YouTube will tell you their content today looks and sounds different from their first productions - and that's okay.

As for people who don't like your content - you aren't producing it for most of them anyway.

Read, But Don't Look or Sound Like You're Reading

This is critical.

It's also why it's important to focus on your unique style. Most people sound "the same" when they read something.

Odds are, you talk with a different pace or tone when you read, so try to make your words sound more like talking.

• Add YOUR natural pauses.
• Add a word here or there that isn't on the script that sounds more natural (yes - even the occasional "uh" or "um"
• Add a thought or two that isn't on the script to break up what may sound like reading
• Practice extemporaneous speaking and make your script more of an outline versus something that has every word written out for you.

Then fine-tune a few things in post-production, but remember - you don't have to sound "perfect." Audiences aren't fond of content that features someone who sounds too polished.

Think of your script as more than words just you're reading. As LaQuita Cleare of Clear Communication Academy says - it's vital to make your content about the audience, not just memorizing scripts, and being yourself to create an authentic connection with viewers

Use Prompter Tools

If you want to use a prompter, you don't have to go out and find the same ones they use in the big studios. Here are two options I recommend:

SPEAKFLOW - I've used Speakflow in the past. I would write the script on my computer and then open the script up using the Speakflow App on my tablet. It all syncs together.

So, I can control the speed of the prompter while it scrolls on my tablet (which sits behind the webcam).

DESCRIPT AI - Did you know that Descript has a feature that will make it look like you're looking at the camera EVEN THOUGH your eyes are really reading a script on your computer monitor - which is BELOW the camera?

They do!

Descript has an AI feature that will take a video of you reading with your eyes down (or looking left, eight, etc.) on the screen and magically move them up to the camera level.

So, there are plenty of ways to hone your on-air style without the need to read something (and sound like you're reading), copy someone else or prevent yourself from creating humanized content like podcasts or videos.

Today's audiences say even with all the video and podcast content out there - there is plenty of room for unique perspectives, deeper insights and something different.

You have something to offer.