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I got an email from a very successful online business owner who confessed a fear of online video. This is a super common response. While there are many technical elements that go into video production (all of them learnable/doable) the area I’ve found people fear most is actually BEING ON CAMERA. Here are a couple of tips and tricks from my days in front of the camera that I hope will help some of you overcome fear and take advantage of video marketing opportunities for your business.

1) Intention

The intention is so important that I wrote an entire blog post about it already.

2) Maintain Eye Contact

There are a couple of protocols for on camera work.

For A Vlog-Keep your focus on the camera lens. Please cover your computer screen if you are shooting on a webcam and cannot help looking at yourself. The most painful videos online are of people who can’t stop looking at their monitors. Does looking into the lens make you feel weird? Try imagining your friends or clients inside that lens. You’re no longer talking to an inanimate object or a random unknown audience. You are talking to people you know, like and trust. Does that affect your intention? Eye contact is a form of nonverbal communication and can largely influence a person’s level of trust.  NOTE: Keeping it natural is a must. Non-competitive staring is weird; unless your intention is to join The Stare Contest http://www.mediamojito.com/?page_id=12 don’t stare.

For an Interview-Here’s where we switch the above rule for it’s complete opposite.  As tempted, as you might be to look at the camera don’t. Unless you intend to break out of the interview to do something different (on purpose), and full on address your audience, maintain eye contact with your interviewer.

When YOU are the Interviewer-Observe how the best hosts are able to perfectly balance their gaze between camera and guest.  It is a style you will need to develop according to your show format and script.

3) Play with your camera! 

Try positioning yourself AND your video camera at angles that flatter you. If you are planning to use video as a marketing tool then it will serve you well to make your camera a trusted friend. You will feel more confident creating your videos if YOU, feel your best in them.  Use some of the settings that are built in, don’t go crazy and overdo the filters or you’ll end up with, well… a video that looks like you were just fooling with your camera. I like shooting every thing, from my kid’s events to random trips on the freeway. You never know when you can use extra footage as B-roll. The more you use your camera the more you will figure out its limitations, your likes and dislikes and how to overcome them all.

4) Get In Your “Zone”

Do whatever it takes. Some might need to take a brisk walk before going on camera to get the blood flowing and wake up, others might need to meditate in silence. It’s super important that you acknowledge that the energy in your clip happens before you roll camera. This is a basic acting principal. Most people can’t just hit the record button and expect the magic to flow. The magic is flowing first and THEN hit record because you simply can’t let the moment pass without sharing it. I like music. Music has a way of calling up all kinds of emotions and states of being. On any given shoot day, I may have my ipod in my ears just before I start my lines. Learn how to connect yourself to a place where you can channel energy and communicate.

5) Smile! 

LAUGH if you feel it’s appropriate, this makes you look confident, comfortable and approachable. Lighten up! Don’t take yourself sooo seriously.   If you smile a bit more you will feel happier. People will be a lot more inclined to listen to you if you seem to be a positive person. Remember, feelings work backwards too. I’ve been so nervous that a smile has kept me from nearly fainting. If you watch some of the popular reality shows on television, you can see that smiling is a piece of advice all of the contestants are given. At first, they all seem like they want to run but as the weeks progress, the smiles get more sincere. NOTE: Don’t keep a smile plastered on your face, you’ll obviously seem insincere or look like a crazy person. If I find myself feeling fake or stiff I do facial excercises, or I may even tell myself a joke (which may seem crazy but looks great on camera ;) 

6) Be Aware of Your Posture

Body language is extremely important in communication. Get comfortable in your skin.  Some of you will be tempted to skip this section because you plan to have a talking head vlog. STOP! READ.

Body language is the like the Ying to the Yang of intention. Both have to do with energy. One comes from within us, the other from outward action and they can effect each other for better or worse.  I don’t personally know anyone who can stop the energy flow from their body to their face. I think I saw an Israeli military guy do it on tv once…but for the rest of us, lets just work on it. In body language, what you do might be interpreted in several ways, depending on the setting and whom you are talking to.

7)  Practice Your Timing!

You only have a few minutes to sell your story. Avoid talking too slow in risk of boring your viewers, and too fast at the risk of being misunderstood. If you don’t have a director to keep you on track, practice with a stopwatch. You will eventually develop a sense of timing that is natural and effective.

Use bullet points of a presentation as soundbites or short phrases that are easy to remember and offer great viral potential. Catchy taglines can also work wonderfully on camera. Imagine millions of people uttering phrases that you’ve come up with to communicate your brand?  You can achieve some amazing results if you are willing to put some effort into creating a killer line that is fabulously you. 

8) Watch it!

Trust me, I know this is not the easiest thing. In the movie biz, watching raw, uncensored footage of yourself is called watching “dailies.” Some actors refuse to do this and others find it integral to the role. I find that watching footage allows me to be more in tuned with the whole picture. If you are stringing several clips to show as a package, you’ll need to see if you missed anything. NOTE: Watching yourself is not a license to criticize yourself to death.  Your goal is to be the best you possible and to get your important message out to the world. Remind yourself of this. 

9) Get Feedback

However terrifying it may be to have someone critique and practice with you, it is one of the single greatest ways to grow and change.  You are taking the time to add video to your marketing plan, it may feel nice for someone to say AWESOME! But what you need is someone who can tell you the truth if it’s not. Ask questions of your trusted critic. How can I improve this? How was my delivery? What action does my video inspire you (the viewer) to take? Do I look ok? How’s the sound and compression? Your critic must be sincere, honest and specific. Get input and get it often.

10) Use Props

I cannot believe I am revealing all these little tricks! I’m going to get booted out of the Screen Actors Guild if I tell you any more (LOL!)

Actors often use props as a way to “stay natural” and keep from “acting.” Sometimes a simple prop can be distracting enough to keep you from being too nervous and appearing unnatural. Your props should have an actual purpose, a cup of water, an index card etc. . If you find props that would contribute to your message try experimenting.