Confidence on Camera

What if you could be confident on camera every time you hit record and started to film a video?

Well, this is absolutely possible, even if you’re afraid to be on camera, and in this Newsletter Section, I’m going to show you how.

Actually, feeling and appearing confident on camera isn’t as hard as you think, even if you have stage fright, insecurity about yourself, or a bit of social anxiety.

I know a lot of people who worry about getting on camera because of what they think people will see, or how audiences will judge them.

I want to help you get past those feelings so that, when you’re ready to pick up your phone or camera and hit “record,” you’ll be able to speak boldly and confidently. 

Here’s a little secret: you’re already confident on video, you just don’t know it yet. Don’t believe me? Consider how much of your life you’ve already spent on video. You’ve used FaceTime to talk to people, haven’t you? You’ve hopped on Zoom calls. You’ve probably created videos for friends or family members. And when you do any of these things, don’t you already feel at least somewhat confident and comfortable?

So, people are already seeing you, hearing you, and interacting with you on video.

It may only be your family, friends, and possibly coworkers at this point, but what if you could tap into that same comfort and confidence and transfer it to a wider audience? What if you could feel just as confident talking to a target audience out there in the world as you do when you FaceTime with a good friend?

As it turns out, there are only two things you need to remember.

First, because you’re creating the video, no one needs to see it. Just keep that in mind. As you’re creating the video, remind yourself that you have no obligation to show it to anyone, so if it doesn’t turn out great, you have nothing to fear! 

Second, the best way to show up as an authentic authority is to just talk to the camera. Don’t think about the possible thousands of people who might view it later. You’re not talking to them. Talk to the camera as if it were a good friend of yours.

You already talk to your friends with confidence, especially when you’re sharing something that you’re passionate about. Channel that same confidence as you talk to the camera, and if necessary, pretend like you’re only going to send the video to that one friend when you’re done.

And, as I said, you don’t have to share this video with anyone, if you don’t want to. There’s no pressure at all! After you create the video, you will have a chance to watch it and decide if this is truly something you want to use as an ad.

You are in total control of whether or not anyone else will ever see the video, and knowing that should help you feel more confident on camera. 

Share Your Passion

The next time you pick up the camera to record, I want you to step a bit outside of your regular energy and tone. Embrace the passion that you have inside of you for whetever it is you do!

The camera tends to take away a bit of your excitement and energy, so you want to show up full of enthusiasm as if you’re talking to a friend about something you care deeply about.

Think about the passion you have when you’re talking about something that you really love.

If you’re an expert in some subject, then you’re probably already quite passionate about it. All you need to do now is tap into that feeling. 

Often, people think they have to become a character or pretend to be someone else on camera in order to win over an audience.

That simply isn’t true. You don’t need to be anybody other than yourself, but you need to be the most passionate version of yourself. Let your own energy and excitement flow!

That’s why I recommend speaking to the camera as if you were talking to a good friend, because with a friend, you’re less likely to hold back.

Just before you hit record, play a little mind game with yourself. Imagine you’re talking on FaceTime or Zoom one-on-one with a good friend about your favorite subject.

Tap into that energy and just be yourself. Unleash your true excitement and passion about the topic. And remind yourself that you don’t have to send the video to anyone if it doesn’t turn out amazing. Then hit record.

You’ll come across far better than if you record it with the intention of sharing it with thousands of strangers on YouTube. Now, I’m speaking from personal experience.

If you’ve seen any of my videos, you might assume I’m always confident on camera, full of energy and excitement, but that has not always been the case. As I said in a previous newsletter, I felt bad about my own appearance in my first video ad, and because of my insecurity about my weight, I struggled with the decision to upload it.

Due to its eventual success, I realized I could feel confident about the way I appeared, and even if some people judged me, it didn’t matter.

It just didn’t matter how I looked. All that mattered was that I pushed through my own anxiety and shared what I had to share. And in the end, many people reached out to me because of that video and said they loved my authenticity.

I wasn’t playing a character, putting on a facade, or trying to be who I thought my audience wanted me to be. I was just being myself.

Honestly, I credit much of my early success to being my true self in those early videos. I decided not to be afraid of who I am, and I encourage you to do the same.

After all, that’s what makes you unique. That’s what separates you from everyone else. Only you are you!

A Confident Mindset

As I said, you already have confidence in video, even if you don’t realize it yet. The secret is in how you approach it.

So, the next time you’re about to hit record, take a few seconds to adjust your mindset.

Tell yourself you’re just speaking to a good friend on FaceTime or Zoom. You don’t have to publish the video if it doesn’t turn out just right.

Channel all of the natural excitement you feel when talking about something you really care about with a friend.

Then your natural, confident, authentic self will come across. Embrace who you are, what you look like, and how you sound.

Be you, not anyone else!

When you adopt these Principles you’ll have everything you need to be Confident on Camera!

Confidence on Camera by Aleric Heck