If you’ve been putting off social media videos because you feel awkward on camera, you’re not alone, and this post is here to help. Being confident on camera is something you can learn, and just like any new skill, it takes a little practice.
Why does being on camera feel so uncomfortable? There are many reasons putting ourselves in front of a camera can feel awkward. Seeing yourself on screen can bring up all sorts of insecurities about how we look and sound. And it can feel like everyone else showing up on social media is super comfortable and has total confidence. But most people feel uncomfortable at first, they only find that confidence through practice and experience.
How To Feel More Confident On Video Share on XStart Low-Pressure
Allow yourself to practice, get used to the process and talking on camera. Start by recording without the pressure of posting. Find what angles work, the best places to stand so you are happy with the background and lighting. Get used to holding or stabilizing your phone to film.
You don’t have to post it or share it anywhere to begin with. Then try a voice over, either over a pre-recorded clip or whilst just filming your hands. Work towards a short Instagram or TikTok story before trying a Reel, YouTube or full TikTok. If your goal is to go Live, you can use the Practice Mode option on Instagram (if it’s an option on your account) which goes through the motions of a Live, but doesn’t actually broadcast or notify followers.
Easy Topics
Choose topics you could talk about easily in real life; what always comes up when you talk to your followers or customers? What are your favourite subjects? Starting with topics that you feel confident with will help you to feel more comfortable. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with every video. Look at your recent or most popular blog posts or social media posts. What topics did you enjoy covering and resonated with your followers?
Video Notes
Writing out bullet points of the main topics before recording can help to clarify what you want to say. You can have these on sticky notes behind the camera if you are worried about forgetting something (or everything!). And you don’t have to film in one take, you can break it up into sections. That way you just have to say one or two sentences at a time, pause or stop recording, check notes for the next section and record again. Then edit out the break or pause where you stopped. Try to avoid full-on scripts, which can make you sound stiff and adds the stress of having to memorize it all.
Simple Setup
You don’t need a set of lights or a full studio to record video for social media. Use natural light by positioning yourself with a window to the side or in front of you. If that isn’t an option, a basic ringlight, even a small model that clips onto your phone, can work wonders. If you don’t want to hold your phone, find a stable position, which can be a tripod, a phone stand or even using a rubber band to hold your phone to a tin can.
Body Positioning
How you position your body can make all the difference when it comes to feeling less awkward and looking more natural on camera. Not knowing what to do with your hands, body or eyes contributes to feeling uncomfortable on camera.
- Turning on an angle slightly so you aren’t square on to the camera can look and feel more natural. If you can see all or most of your body, try shifting your weight to one foot and bending your knee to look more relaxed.
- Positioning the camera just slightly higher so you are looking upwards can prevent you from hunching, instantly making you look more natural and at ease.
- Try to look at the lens and not yourself. This both improves the eyeline, meaning you are looking directly at the viewer and means you aren’t as self-conscious. Don’t feel like you need to stare at the lens intensely; make sure to blink naturally and even glance away as you would when talking to someone in person (this can also be a great way to glance at your bullet point notes if you need to!)
- Give your hands something to do, be it holding a coffee cup, a pen or picking up an object. And if your hands are normally quite animated when you talk, don’t feel you have to keep them still on a video.
Aim for connection
Social media is about connection and conversation. The more you can speak as you would in a real conversation with a follower or customer, the more natural and relatable your videos will feel. Talk to your audience, rather than talking at them. If you are struggling with this, try putting a photo of a friend or loved one behind the camera and pretend you are talking directly to them. Remember it’s social media, not national broadcasting – you aren’t reading the news! Even if you are talking about something serious, you can still bring your personality and character to your content.
Examples of confidence in videos
Jordan Cox (@CouponKingUK) has mastered the art of movement in his social media videos. From walking into frame, holding items and talking with his hands, Jordan creates motion that looks natural. He also mixes up the view, going from him talking to camera to his own POV, so you feel like you are looking through his eyes and along with him for the trip.
Marilyn (@TrembelingArt) mixes talking to camera, with demos using just her hands and voiceover. This removes some of the pressure of talking direct to camera for a whole video. Her direct to camera sections are natural and her camera is positioned slightly higher than her eyeline so she is looking up. She often glances away, just as you would having a conversation in person, which helps to create the natural feel.
Laura (@DayDreamWriteRepeat) filmed this unboxing video of a tea order. She is chatting to camera just as if she was talking to a friend, looking relaxed and natural. She isn’t sat completely still – her hands are moving as she talks and there is natural movement in her body and head. The video isn’t just Laura talking. There are cuts to video of her opening the teas, brewing and pouring to keep it interesting. The background is just her home, no fancy studio or white background.
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And just to prove that you don’t have to be perfect, Natalie (@Digitalie), compiled her very own blooper reel! Posts like this are not only relatable and entertaining, but show you are human, which in an age of growing AI generated content can be a huge plus.
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Mini Challenges
Don’t know where to start? Here are some gentle challenges for you. Pick and choose which ones feel doable to you right now. There is no pressure to post any of these, or even show anyone, this is just about getting started and hitting that record button.
- 15 second video – Record something you feel super confident talking about. This could be your favourite topic, subject or a question you are asked all the time.
- Voiceover – Record a voiceover for an existing video. The video doesn’t matter, this is just about getting used to recording your voice. This one is particularly helpful if recording visual and audio at the same time feels overwhelming.
- Make it mundane – Film yourself doing something simple and describing it. This could be you making a coffee, tidying your workspace, preparing food or a hobby. Starting with the mundane and everyday lowers the stakes and will make recording yourself feel more familiar.
- Get into the rhythm – Get used to recording as you go. The more you can get into a routine of filming short snippets of your day the easier it will become. These can be anything from sharing your to-do list for the day, sharing an update as you drink your coffee, showing the chaos behind the scenes to sharing new ideas you have.
- Start with stories – When you are feeling ready, try creating a quick good morning or update video on Stories. These are less permanent than a Reel or TikTok, disappearing after 24 hours, so are the ideal, low-stakes way to begin.
- Introduce yourself – If you don’t know what to create a video about, start with introducing yourself, your content or business. Make it short, succinct and let your personality show!
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