Increase your confidence on camera with these 10 tips
You've set up your lighting and clicked [rec] on the camera you prefer, and... you could not be more anxious. If you're filming something on your own, freezing up, fumbling on your own words or simply feeling uneasy on camera is incredibly common.
However, gaining confidence with your camera is key to making an impact on our video-forward society, on and off screen. "Being confident on camera is an ability which can be a factor in every area of your life," according to the entrepreneur and expert in productivity Ali Abdaal. "I've certainly noticed that having put in the reps to talk to the camera has helped me increase my confidence and self-confidence in the real world and also in my work."
10 ways that have been tested and proven to help you feel (and appear) more confident in front of the camera
It's completely normal to be nervous about directly addressing a camera. There are, however, plenty of strategies and techniques that could break down those barriers and lessen your nerves. Ahead of your next onscreen performance, make sure to read our tips on how to nail your on-camera presence at every stage of production.
Prior to your shooting
1. Set the mood
If you're lacking other people's energy to tap into you can feel to be a bit sluggish. The sound of your favorite music that pumps you up gives your mood a little nudge, which can naturally increase your mood as you settle down to record. It's a bonus if you can perform a song - it'll serve double duty, helping to loosen up and get warm in your voicebox.
While you're at it take the time to clear your environment of distractions. It's amazing what an errant Slack or phone call could do to take you off your level. Locate a quiet spot at home or in the office to set your technology to not disturb you in order to ensure that your focus is completely while recording.
2. Make it look nice
Set your background put in place. Check your backdrop to determine the lighting, colors, and general aesthetics. Choose a place in your home or office which is visually appealing, yet not distractions. We love finding a nook near a bookcase or other cozy backdrop to provide your video with texture without distracting from your real focus, which is you!
Wear something comfortable, but basic. In general, strong colors work best on cameras, however you should choose outfits make you feel most comfortable. You won't be twitching about with your collar, or bouncing around in your chair.
3. Make a list of what you'll say
It's likely that your mileage will vary in terms of what kind of prep you'll want to accomplish prior to sitting down to record. For some, a full script is the only way to feel confident when recording. For others, a simple logline will keep you in the right direction.
Each person works in a different way, but we suggest creating an outline in bullets of your presentation to permit you to speak naturally without wandering off or burying your key points.
"A number of users prefer to script out their videos according to a specific format," says YouTuber Vanessa Lau. "Over time, what I've discovered is the most effective technique is to use a bullet point method. This way, I know at a minimum a handful of distinct focus points, and because I'm able to easily identify them on my paper this makes it much harder for me to drift off."
4. You can practice without the camera on.
For many, the mere act of turning the camera on can result in high heart rates and sweaty palms. For a less uncomfortable experience make sure you run your outline in front of the camera prior to hitting record. Not only will this allow you to feel more comfortable in the action of recording but it will also help you identify any problems with your outline so that you're able to solve those problems before you roll tape.
During your shooting
5. You can talk to one individual
Anyone who is a speechwriter or public speaker worth their salt will know that prior to speaking to any type of group of people is crucial to understand exactly who you're speaking to. If you're making an update video for your colleagues or capturing video content to upload to TikTok, having a strong sense of who will be watching - and how you'd talk to them can give you the highest possibility of getting their attention.
If you're aware of who your audience is and you know who your audience is, be more specific Confidence coach Chalene Johnson suggests speaking to just one personwhen filming your video. "Whenever I'm making a video it, I do not think of everyone that will be watching it and I only think about one individual," she says. "It's simply so much more easy to connect and express yourself."
6. Use an teleprompter
Even if you're a professional, speaking without any kind of cueing can be incredibly challenging. But using cards or staring at your laptop's display could disrupt your connection to the camera, which can cause distractions to both you and your audience. Teleprompters are a fantastic option to ensure that your recording is secure and not require card shuffling or recall. It will help you keep your bullet points top of mind whether you're giving a flawless speech or simply a team update.
7. Make fear into exuberance
No matter how well you prepare, there will be a bit of nervousness during recording is completely normal. In order to harness that energy it is suggested to frame those physical symptoms of nervousness as excitement. As those feelings - like an higher heart rate, tension in the chest, and throat - are associated with both emotions, attempt to tell your brain and body the sensations you're feeling occur because you're exuberant to speak and not scared. (You may be amazed at how well it works.)
8. Be aware of your body language, and your eyeline
As in real situations, body language can be crucial to convey confidence. We suggest keeping tabs on these three things when filming the next clip.
Watch the line of your eyes. Talking to a camera is quite strange. Your eyes are likely to dart around the room, or look down at your fingers. Make sure, however you must maintain eye contact with the camera, so that you keep your viewer(s) at the forefront of your attention.
Use the hands. When filming in a seated position to increase your screen presence by moving your hands around the middle of your body when you speak. This will help add some dynamism to your final product and prevent you from appearing rigid.
Make sure you smile when speaking. A great way to take your energy on camera up a gear is to increase your lips' corners while delivering your message. This doesn't need to be a full smile, but just having a smile while speaking your message could be a big help. "It appears fake at first," says Ali Abdaal. "But it genuinely seems more confident."
9. Reduce it
It's totally normal to want to finish your film with as soon as possible. But that impulse could lead to you rushing through your story or looking stressed when you're on the your camera. Be sure to take a breath (even taking a breath exercise before hitting record can be helpful!) and try to speak in a slow pace so you don't rush through the message.
Following your shooting
10. Do yourself a favor and give yourself a non-critical assessment
Like any skill, building confidence in your camera takes repetition, practice, and more practicing. Similar to an athlete looking over the game footage, we suggest watching back your content to see what you might want to alter as well as what you like regarding your recent video. Take a moment to clock any mannerisms or verbal ticks that could distract future viewers - but do not forget to be nice towards yourself. This is an opportunity to improve your abilities, do not be a sham!
A final note on on-camera confidence
While following the tips above will get you towards confident camera shots, don't worry about not being perfect. Everyone has a unique screen appearance - figuring out what yours is (and accept that it is there!) is among the most effective methods to boost your confidence to come back. So, go out and make your next video a success!