Feeling comfortable in front of the camera is something that everyone has to overcome. You are not alone in your fear. Some people never get over it. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review being watched triggers our flight-or-fight response. This reaction dates back to prehistoric times when we perceived humans watching us as an existential threat.
“Even if you can’t quite kick the butterflies before your next on-camera performance, there are some things you can do to make you feel more comfortable.”
I am always amazed to hear of popstars who openly admit that even after years of performing they still get nervous right before going on stage.
You may have to accept that you will always be nervous in front of the camera, too. If you read my blog posts about why an explainer video is important, why you need a video script, and why anyone can shoot a video then you will know how important video marketing is to your business.
Here are some quick facts about video marketing: 92% of marketers use video in their marketing strategies, 87% say videos have increased traffic to their site, 96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product. So, yes you need video marketing.
With the capabilities of cellphones and inexpensive equipment purchased from Amazon and other retailers, it is now easy to produce your own videos.
Even if you can’t quite kick the butterflies before your next on-camera performance, there are some things you can do to make you feel more comfortable.
- PRACTICE!
This is particularly important. Practice what you are going to say. Make sure you are speaking naturally and that you are not speaking too quickly. Notice your mannerisms and placement of hands as you talk through the script.
The best suggestion I can give is to make yourself familiar with the script and record yourself saying it several times. Play it back and see how you did. Did you talk too fast? Were you waving your hands around too much? Did you keep touching your face or swaying from side to side? There is a lot you can learn about yourself when you critique your own video.
- Have a Good Script
Make sure you know what you are going to be saying, that you have practiced it and that you are comfortable with how it is written. You need to be confident in the script. If you are not, then you need to make changes well before shooting day.
Even though you have a script, know that it is ok to improvise. Just don’t go rogue and ramble on. It is hard to fix those types of mistakes in editing.
- Accept Your Mistakes
Look, you aren’t a professional. Accept that you are going to make mistakes no matter how much you have practiced. That’s the beauty of video and editing. You can always start the line over. Don’t worry that you messed up. It is bound to happen.
- Give Yourself Time
Make sure you allow plenty of time to shoot the video. Don’t think that you will shoot your first video on your lunch break. It takes time to perfect the process of video shooting. Knowing that you have time to make mistakes, fix equipment, reshoot, and do a couple of takes will make you feel more comfortable.
- Be Prepared
Come with everything that you will need to be your best. Bring snacks, water (nervousness can cause dry mouth), powder makeup (for shininess), and anything else that will get you through the shoot.
- Dress Comfortably and Appropriately
Make sure you look professional and that you represent your brand well. However, don’t wear 4-inch heels and expect to walk around in your video and have it look natural when all you ever wear is flats. Don’t wear ill-fitting clothes that you will be tugging on all through the video. Be careful of light colors and undergarments. The bright lights on the set may be exposing more than you expect. If you are shooting in front of a green screen, then don’t wear green!!
I probably shouldn’t have to say this but definitely no clothes with stains or wrinkles.
- Turn Off Your Phone
Nothing worse than getting to the end of a take and someone’s cell phone rings. Ugh! An unnecessary retake! Make sure everyone on your crew has their phone turned off, including you.
- Eat Something
I know those butterflies in your stomach will make you feel like not eating, but please make sure you eat prior to the shoot. It will keep you grounded and prevent you from becoming hangry and having any lightheadedness. Food in your belly will also keep you focused and able to think on your feet.
- Fear is Normal
Don’t beat yourself up over feeling scared about being on camera. It is natural and happens to a lot of people. Have some compassion for yourself.
- Calm Yourself
Take deep breaths, turn on a meditation app, do jumping jacks, call your mother, or do whatever it is you need to do to calm yourself prior to the take. Know that it is normal to be nervous and that you will overcome it once the camera starts rolling and you dive right into the script.
- Limit Distractions
We know the cellphones need to be turned off but try to think of anything else that might distract you or your crew. Maybe you are shooting your video inside your house and you have no “crew.” Pick a time of day when there is less noise outside. Or if you have children, make the video during their nap time or while they are at school. Anything that will limit distractions the better.
Realize that some things may be unavoidable, like getting an unexpected delivery and having your dogs go bark crazy!
- Know Where You’re Going
If you plan on moving around in your video, make sure you know ahead of time where you are going and how the camera is going to follow you through those movements. If you need to put tape on the floor so you know exactly where to stop.
- Choose a Good Time
Shooting your video after a long day of work when you look tired and worn out is probably not a good idea. Be sure to pick a time when you are awake, vibrant, and fresh. If you’re not a morning person, don’t schedule the video for 8:00 am! Think about what time would work best for you.
- Have a Designated Monitor
Pick someone, a close friend, your coworker, whoever, and ask them to monitor you during the shoot. They are monitoring you for body language, fidgeting, speaking too quickly or slowly, fake smiles, swaying side to side, leg shakes, facial twitches, and other weird nervous mannerisms you may do in front of the camera.
They also need to tell you about your appearance. Is your hair messed up? Suit jacket not buttoned. Something in your teeth. All those little things about you that you may not notice.
- Look into the Camera
Look into the camera and speak. There is nothing worse than watching a video where the person is not quite looking at you. It even irritates me when the newscaster makes a mistake and chooses the wrong camera to look into.
If staring directly at the camera makes you even more nervous then look ever so slightly above it. You can always put something right on top of the camera that makes you feel relaxed like your child’s favorite stuffed animal or action hero.
- Know How to Use Your Equipment
If you are not hiring a professional crew, and you definitely do not need to, then make sure you know how to use the equipment that you are going to use on the day of the shoot. The day of the shoot is not the time to be figuring out how to use the lights, camera, or microphones.
- Set the Equipment Up Prior to the Shoot
Sounds obvious enough, but trust me, plenty of people try to figure it all out on the day of the shoot and make themselves even more nervous when things start to go downhill because they can’t get something to work properly.
Make sure the lighting is done prior and you know how you are going to be properly lit. Test out camera angles. Know where you are going to be standing in relation to the camera. Know how you are moving in the frame. Make sure all the batteries are charged. Have extra batteries. Make sure the backdrop is ironed and the backdrop frame is set to the correct height.
Bottom line: Make sure you have tested, setup, and know exactly what is happening on shoot day!
- Try Your Best
At the end of the day, all you can do is try your best. Make sure you have done everything possible to ensure that you have a fantastic shoot with little hiccups. This will also make you feel more comfortable in front of the camera because you won’t be worrying about other things.
Finally, know that you aren’t a professional and it may not be perfect. That’s ok! I’m sure it will turn out looking great and be an awesome video to add to your marketing strategy.
I wish you the best of luck with your newfound confidence in being able to create your own marketing videos. If you need more encouragement, advice, and information that check out these blog posts about explainer videos, writing scripts, and shooting videos.
Comment below and let me know if you have tried making your own video and how it turned out!
