You know that it is becoming increasingly important to get in front of the camera and make your own video. You would like to show what contribution you can make to making the world a little better with your product.
But you don’t do it. Your subconscious is rebelling. There’s this unconscious aversion. The wall in your head seems insurmountable, even if you can easily speak live in front of a large audience.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you overcome your insecurity in front of the camera. Whether you’re giving a video interview or taking part in a video conference, you’ll finally feel more confident speaking in front of an audience through a video camera.
How to overcome insecurity when appearing in front of the camera
In most cases, there are three reasons for your aversion to the video camera:
- You are not used to talking to an inanimate object that shows no movement whatsoever. Because you learned to understand facial expressions and to look for and evaluate reactions from your counterpart as a small child, you have no experience of talking to an “inanimate” camera that does not react to your words.
- You know the situation when the photographer says “…and now everyone please smile”. The photographer may have been your father or uncle. He takes the photo of you with the intention of making your aunt happy. A cheerful mood at the touch of a button. You feel uncomfortable in front of the camera because you are supposed to fulfill the photographer’s expectations, even though you don’t feel like it and can’t understand what this photo is supposed to be good for.
- When you look at the photo afterwards, you don’t like yourself. You might even find it embarrassing that your blouse is peeking out of your trousers and your look looks strange. You’ve never seen yourself like this before, not even in the mirror. You’re absolutely right – you look at yourself in the mirror the wrong way round!
Step 1: Accept what is now
The first step is to accept the situation as it is. You are now aware that you are not lacking in intelligence or talent. You just lack practice! Making a video with yourself in the lead role is just as unfamiliar at first as learning to ride a bike or speak a new language. When you were a little kid, you really wanted to learn to walk! You often fell on your nose, but you still managed it. Remember back then!
Step 2: Visualize a good friend behind the camera
Imagine that you are talking to a good friend instead of a camera. This will help you to reduce the pressure and make the situation more relaxed. You can also stick a big smiley face next to the camera! You look at it while you practise speaking. It always reminds you that you are receiving goodwill from your virtual counterpart.
It is easier and technically less complicated if you first take part in Zoom meetings and use the webcam on your laptop. You can record video conferences and watch them later to sharpen your perception. The best thing about this is that you have a real conversation and a real topic.
Practising standing up and speaking freely at the same time is more challenging because you also have to coordinate your hands and your posture plays an even more important role. Let everything happen at the pace that suits you best!
Step 3: Overwrite experiences from the past
When you heard your voice for the first time, you were quite startled: What, I talk like that? That sounds totally squeaky! You think you come across as anything but relaxed in the video.
That’s your point of view. For everyone else, your voice is completely normal and they appreciate you for who you are. Your voice, your speaking speed or your nose are completely normal for others. The people you surround yourself with often even see your supposed weaknesses as endearing!
Always speak and behave the way you behave in everyday life, because the audience perceives and appreciates this as authentic! So you have to press the inner reset button in order to have new, positive experiences.
Step 4: Start with small improvements
Always take time to practise in front of the camera. Once you have become more confident in video conferencing, start with short videos – perhaps just one minute – in which you now speak without an interlocutor.
It is easier to concentrate on short sections when speaking. You can then gradually improve as you gain more confidence and therefore more security.
After you have practiced on your laptop for a while, you can also speak into your cell phone, which is mounted on a small tripod or a self-made stand made from books. The smartphone is perfectly adequate; you don’t need any additional technology such as a microphone or complex lighting to practise.
Step 5: Find a topic that you like to talk about
A topic that you enjoy talking about makes it easier for you to speak freely. This takes away your fear and gives you security. The more often you talk about what you like to talk about, the more confident you will feel. If you have a clear message that you want to convey, everything is much easier.
If you have already gained some experience, it is time for you to be interviewed. You can ask a friend to ask you a few questions about a joint project. You can also give them a video testimonial. He will certainly be happy about that. They will be happy to record the interview on camera. If there is anything to improve, simply repeat the recordings. The important thing is not to be perfect, but to have done it. This helps you to build up your self-confidence.
Don’t compare yourself with others! Yes, there are people who can do it better than you. They have been doing it for many years and perhaps have special talents. But why are you comparing yourself to them? Use yourself as a benchmark instead! Was your second video better than your first? If so, then you’re on the right track. A slip of the tongue is not a drama, it’s human. You’ll definitely do a bit better in your next video. I promise!
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