Are you camera shy? According to a 2013 study by Dove, 77% of women experience camera anxiety or scopophobia. Scopophobia is a fear of being seen or stared at.
There are many tips about how to create a good video but many people are still uncomfortable in front of a camera. It’s not uncommon to hear “I don’t like how I look.” or “I’m not photogenic.”
Why People Are Camera Shy
If you’re a person with little experience delivering video presentations, it’s natural to feel nervous. You may wonder where you should look or if you’re talking too fast.
Just like the fear of public speaking, people can feel self-conscious about how they appear on camera. It’s easy to critique your appearance, your movements, and especially your voice when you’re watching yourself on video.
It’s another form of performance anxiety. Nobody wants to be judged and the presenter may feel that their mistakes will be amplified when on video.
For a perfectionist, a video camera can be alarming. The goal is connection, not perfection.
There’s added pressure because you’re talking to a camera, not a person. There is a lack of in-the-moment feedback and that can be jarring.
And when working with a videographer, there may be a feeling of losing control over how you’re presented or portrayed.
Consequences:
People who are camera shy may avoid speaking in front of a camera resulting in negative consequences. Avoiding photos and videos can cause you to be invisible in an organization or on social media. You’ll appear less trustworthy because people want to hear your voice and see you in action. People are reluctant to do business on LinkedIn if there is no profile photo. And if there’s a video in the Features Section you can provide an added message. Video is the beginning of a relationship.
How to Get Your Shine On
You don’t have to be a ham to succeed at speaking on video. Even if you don’t like the spotlight you can increase your confidence with these simple tips.
Start with Positive Self Talk. Ask yourself why you feel anxious. Affirm your desired state out loud. Ex. “I feel confident” “I’ve got this.” “I’m energized.” Success begins in the mind.
Make it Bigger Than Yourself. Create an outcome that will benefit somebody. Focus on your WHY and not on yourself.
Write Out a Script. Don’t wing it. Think through your message. By writing it out the message will become clear.
Convert the Script to Bullet Points. Don’t memorize the script. By rewriting it as bullets you’ll sound more conversational and it will be easier to remember.
Rehearse it Out Loud Several Times. The more you practice the more confident you’ll feel. This will give you a sense of flow and timing.
Visualize a Real Person. Imagine you’re talking to someone you know. Or paste a picture of a friend or your pet near the camera and talk to them. You’ll forget you’re talking to a camera.
Begin your Video with a Smile. It’s engaging to the viewers and you will feel and appear more relaxed.
Pause. By pausing between sentences, you’ll speak more slowly, you’ll be able to catch your breath and collect your thoughts.
Set up the Camera with a Flattering Angle. Don’t position the camera where it looks up at you. Position the angle at eye level or slightly above.
Celebrate. Watch your video and acknowledge one thing you liked or did well. You can always do a retake if you’re not satisfied with the final result. And that’s the beauty of video.
There are no do-overs in real life.
Use these tips to "Unleash Your Inner Star: Conquer Camera Shyness, and Radiate On-Camera Confidence!"
To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked on the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.
To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.
To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.