Quick Ways To Relax On Camera
Putting yourself out there can be scary, overwhelming, or even just obnoxious when you’re trying to do the things you really need to do for managing the rest of your life, but you’re stuck having to make content for social media.
There are some fun video styles you can do which sort of are a bit meta about the whole “I’m making content about how I have to make content.” But that only gets you so far, and really only gets you content. It doesn’t really share who you are or what you do or why people should connect with you.
When setting up to film yourself, keep a few things in mind:
You don’t have to style yourself to the nines, unless that is your brand.
Now, full disclosure, the literal reason I started a podcast and not a vlog back when our Filmmaking (actually) podcast was first started was because getting all dolled up, setting up lights, making space, doing video editing - that’s a lot of work! A podcast still has editing required, but I didn’t have to do anything other than pull out our mic and plug it in and record the podcast. And it is way easier to edit an audio file than it is to edit audio and video.
For social media (or any of your content creation), you can decide how you want to look when you’re online. And part of that is why I suggest doing shoots once per month or something like that so you can get it all over and done with and you’re just finished with that part.
Obviously you don’t want to put a negative image of yourself out there. But you don’t have to go professionally get hair and makeup done and rent wardrobe and all of that (again, unless that is your brand). You can just be yourself. That’s really the point.
Talk to a person, not your camera.
When you’re filming yourself, there is a camera in your face, which can be annoying. But remember that on the other side of that camera is a person who is listening to what you’re saying. Don’t talk to the camera, talk to them. Just imagine you’re having a conversation to a single person and talk to that person. It could be that you imagine you’re talking to a friend or parent or co-worker or whatever works. You can also just imagine you’re talking to a random person. But it can help to relax and be more natural if you’re talking to someone and not just the air, or the camera in your face.
Relax!
Easier said than done, I know. But if you’re constantly pulling on your shirt or tucking your hair behind your ear, or fidgeting with your fingers, or bursting out laughing because you made a mistake, or constantly tapping your foot, it does show up on camera and it can make your filming take longer.
Before starting to film, plan what you’re going to say, take a deep breath, and just chill for a second. You’re making a social media video, you’re not going in as a neonatal brain surgeon with an actual life in your hands. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake. You’re just recording a video which can be edited. If you mess up, just do it again. Don’t overthink it, don’t worry about every single hair and fleck of dust. Just make sure you’re representing yourself and/or your brand the way you want to be, and then just make your video!
I know, so much easier said than done! But you also just need to practice. The more you do, the easier it will get. Keep your first videos simple. Send them to a friend or family member to check out before you post it online if you need some reassurance.
But also, believe in yourself! You got this!