What stops you from pressing record?

I recently received a message form an old colleague asking:

"I have a question for you Mr Video…given every companies most important assets are people and everyone emphasises next gen talent and growth, why do so few using video content vs written content, particularly on Linked In?

It’s not a flippant comment, I’m interested if there are solid reasons why not?

Thankyou Nick Gain

So my question to everyone reading this article is: Why don't you?

My first perception is as humans generally we are very self conscious and shy of our appearance and what people think about us, when you put a camera in front of anyone whether it be a webcam on a Teams or Zoom video call or a recording camera a wave of fear overwhelms them.

Its very easy to hide behind text (you don't see trolls posting video responses!)

Consider to yourself that you don't have a mirror when you walk into that sit down meeting so why should a virtual one be different? I had an HR manager that used to call the VC camera "the evil eye" I find it funny when we used to spec dual screen video conferencing systems the 2nd screen use to basically be a massive digital mirror showing the room! My recommendation turn off your self view you don't have one in real life so why should your digital life ??

When it comes to video calling the excuse used to be that cameras were an add on accessory however nowadays you cant buy a laptop that doesn't have a camera built in, don't be a blank square turn your camera on.

More excuses I hear why you don't just hit record:

• "My gear is not good enough" (I need a better cameras, better microphone etc).

Gear doesn't matter you have a great camera in your laptop or the phone in your back pocket. It's about the message and story you deliver you can buy better gear as you master your craft.

• "I'm going to fluff my words and people will judge me."

Yes you will fluff your words and say "err" and "umm" but we do in real life in presentations too, leave them in there it shows you are human and not an actor! Authenticity will always win over perfection.

• "People are going to leave bad comments."

Unfortunately there are people out there that love to hate or boost their ego's by putting you down. by being brave enough to put yourself out there you have already beaten the haters hiding behind their keyboards.

• "Editing video is complicated and expensive still."

There are so many great free tools for creating and editing video these days go check out CapCut, OBS Studio and Descript then go watch a 20 min tutorial on youtube

• Add yours in the comments below ??

My advice to anyone who has thought about doing it "just start now!" hit record the first 1, 10 and 50 videos will be terrible! but the more you do it the more you will hone your craft and style, you will get better and you will become and more comfortable when you hit record.

The more you do of something the better you become, I was once asked "do you record everything you do!" thanks Solveig Busler ??

Here are 5 tips to get you make a great video:

1 - Do a stupid laugh out loud right before you say your first words, it will make your face smile and your eyes will light up.

ha ha ha hey everyone welcome to my video on....

2 - Don't over analyse your recording, the 1st take will always be the best an most natural ignore the ums and ers, unless you really said something wrong leave it. if you try and do it again it will never be as good.

Perfection is the enemy of creation.

3 - Get a bright piece of coloured paper and cut out arrows and stick them toward the lens of your camera. hide any video preview, look at the arrows not at your screen.

That black circle is the eyes of each of your viewers.

4 - Don't get hung up on views, likes and comments (though I do all the time) as humans we long for gratification but as the great Gary Vaynerchuk says 1 view is greater than 0 and that 1 view could be your ideal prospect or customer.

1>0

5- Start now! you will always come up with reasons to put it off but you cant improve if you don't have something to improve upon, every video will be a little better than the last.

Just press record.

As a personal admission to help you conquer your fears of creating content, I'm not very good at the written word (my English gets corrected by a German) this is my first ever LinkedIn article (and possibly last) so thanks you Lindsay Slegers for pushing me outside my comfort zone and challenging myself to try this

If this article spurs you on to press record share it to your network and tag me in it and I will champion your bravery ??