How to Talk and Feel Confident on Camera to a Camera: Beginner Tips | Ep. 29
How to feel confident on camera?
Struggling with how to talk to a camera without feeling awkward? Don’t worry, many seasoned creators have been there, too!
They’ve just mastered a few tricks that anybody can learn. In this video, I break down simple, practical tips that will help you become confident talking to the camera.
VIDEO: How to Talk to a Camera: Beginner Tips | Ep. 29
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Why Do We Feel Awkward on Camera?
How to feel confident on camera? Recording a video can feel intimidating, especially when we’re talking to a lens instead of an actual person. Watching a video where the speaker appears uncomfortable can be equally disconcerting for viewers. This unease, however, isn’t permanent. It’s often due to the brain adjusting to this new experience of “speaking to no one,” but a few practical tips can make it feel like second nature.
I keep sharing this tip! Our brains naturally recognize that if we are standing and talking, we must be saying something important, something that people care about, and we must be someone people want to listen to. Think about any speech you’ve ever seen: the person doing the speaking is the one standing, while everyone else is sitting. I think it’s natural. But it’s a really easy way to trick your brain into being more confident and exuding more energy and confidence in what you’re saying.
Related: Overcome Camera Shyness: Boost Your Confidence on YouTube
Reframe the Camera as Your Audience
A common piece of advice is to “pretend you’re talking to a person” instead of a camera. While useful, it can still feel strange. Here’s how to make this tip work for you:
- Visualize a Real Audience Member: Imagine a specific follower, client, or person who’s asked you a question on this topic. Pretending that your audience is waiting for a response makes speaking more natural.
- Answer a Question: When you’re recording, envision that you’re answering a question posed by this individual. This approach infuses purpose into your response and makes it feel like a genuine conversation.
This technique helps you appear more approachable, creating a connection with viewers even if you’re recording alone.
Stand Up to Increase Energy and Feel Confident on Camera
If you want to feel confident on camera, standing up might not seem practical if you’ve set up your recording space for seated videos, but it can transform your energy and confidence.
- Why It Works: Standing increases your physical energy and gives your brain a subconscious cue that what you’re saying is important. Think about it—public speakers typically stand to address a crowd, and this posture can help convey authority and engagement.
- Try It for the First Few Videos: If you’re starting, standing can trick your brain into feeling more confident. Once you gain experience, sitting will feel less intimidating as your confidence naturally builds.
If you’ve watched any of my videos in the last couple of years, you’ll notice I hardly ever stand. Now that I have the experience to know what it takes to have that kind of energy and feel confident talking to the camera, I don’t need to trick my brain into it. I already feel the energy and confidence on camera even when I’m sitting down.
One of the biggest keys to talking to a camera, feeling comfortable, and being viewed as someone who is confident on camera is being fully prepared with the content you’re delivering. I’m not talking about writing a script, memorizing lines, or reading word-for-word, though. I think that as content creators, our brains work differently when we’re focused on the words coming out of our mouths versus just thinking about the topics we already know about.
Related: How to be Confident on Camera for YouTube
Use Music to Boost Your Mood and feel confident on Camera Before Recording
Sometimes, even if you want to feel confident on camera, energy levels fluctuate, especially if you’re recording multiple videos or having a long day. In these moments, try using music to elevate your mood.
- Play Music While Getting Ready: Choose music that energizes you while you set up, do your hair, or even while reviewing your notes.
- Use Music to Set the Tone: Creating an upbeat environment before you start recording helps ensure that your on-camera energy remains high, and your content feels engaging.
Music is a simple but effective mood enhancer, making a big difference in your video presentation.
Speak About Topics You Know Well
Knowing your content inside-out is essential for confident delivery. Familiarity with a subject allows your brain to focus more on articulation than formulating information on the spot.
- Avoid Memorization: Instead of writing a script, consider using an outline to keep yourself on track. Speak naturally and flexibly around each point.
- Practice Out Loud: Talking about your topic aloud before you hit record primes your brain for speaking comfortably. Practicing on your commute, while getting ready, or even during household tasks can reinforce your comfort with the subject.
This approach trains your brain to retrieve information fluidly, helping you sound confident and knowledgeable on camera.
Use an Outline as a Guide
When recording a video, some preparation goes a long way. An outline not only helps keep your content organized, but also reduces the stress of wondering what to say next.
- Outline Key Points: You don’t need a word-for-word script, but having your main points listed in order will prevent those “blank moments” when you’re unsure of what comes next.
- Practice with Interview-Style Prompts: Treat each main point in your outline as if it were a question being asked by an interviewer. Answering these “questions” aloud in your own words makes your content flow naturally and feel more authentic.
Outlining your content ensures you stay on track, feel prepared, and come across as confident without rigid scripting.
Record Your Intro Last
Recording your video intro last might sound counterintuitive, but it can make a remarkable difference.
- Capture Your High-Energy Moments: By the end of your video, you’ll typically be in a more comfortable, engaged state. Recording your intro at this stage brings that energy and confidence to the very start of the video, drawing in viewers from the first seconds.
- Edit to Rearrange: After recording, edit the video to place your intro at the beginning. This trick ensures your video has a high-energy start, improving engagement and viewer retention.
Recording the intro last lets you present the best version of yourself to viewers and makes your video’s opening feel dynamic.
One tip that can completely transform the first 30 to 60 seconds of your video and how your viewers experience it is to record your intro after you’ve recorded the rest of your video. Why? Because those first 30 seconds are crucial for viewer engagement and the long-term growth of your channel. Start recording with the main content first, and then, once you’re in the flow and at your highest energy, record the intro. This version of you—confident and energized—is what you want viewers to see right off the bat.
Practice Speaking Out Loud
Confidence in front of the camera comes with practice. Speaking out loud in various scenarios helps you get used to delivering information clearly and smoothly.
- Voice Memos or Self-Talk: Record yourself speaking about your topic casually, perhaps while getting ready or driving. Listen back to understand which parts of your delivery feel natural and where you can improve.
- Brainstorm Out Loud: As you speak, jot down new ideas and refine your thoughts. With practice, it becomes easier to phrase your thoughts concisely, eliminating the need for multiple takes.
Speaking practice trains your brain to transition ideas into spoken words fluidly, an essential skill for successful video content creation.
I often record a voice memo or speak directly into Otter.ai to riff on ideas or thoughts, even if they aren’t fully formed sentences. Brainstorming out loud allows me to get my ideas from my brain out through my mouth, and recording them helps me organize exactly how I want to structure a video or share tips, like “Five Tips for Talking to a Camera as a Beginner.” I can then transcribe this recording with Otter to have an outline. I don’t necessarily turn it into a word-for-word script, but having my thoughts organized helps.
Otter.ai has a built-in chatbot, so you can even ask questions like, “What’s the most interesting part of this brainstorm?” or “What questions might my audience have from this?” to add more depth to your content. You can even ask for an outline, ensuring that the content you’ve created feels natural, and is something you’re already familiar with.
Related: My Video Podcast Script Outline | Ep. 16
Wrapping Up: Becoming Comfortable and How to Feel Confident on Camera
I once had a conversation with a client who said, “When I try to record a video, my mind just goes blank. I can’t get the words out.” He explained that on a Zoom call with a client, he’d feel comfortable riffing for hours. This made me realize that when I’m brainstorming or recording a voice memo, I’m often pretending I’m having a conversation or being interviewed. In Episode 16 of the Video Branded Fusion podcast, I shared my podcast script outline, where each section is essentially a question. So, when I’m brainstorming a topic out loud, I follow the outline as if someone were interviewing me.
This method might not become your permanent workflow, but if you struggle with feeling comfortable on camera, this exercise could really help. I don’t do this for every video, but sometimes, if I feel more confident and energized toward the end, I’ll re-record the hook and replace the original. It often comes out better, even if I’m saying the exact same words.
Building on-camera confidence is an attainable goal for every video creator. From embracing awkwardness to practicing out loud and following an outline, you can cultivate a relaxed, engaging video presence. Remember, every seasoned video creator started as a beginner, learning what worked best for them over time.
As you implement these strategies, keep in mind that your viewers are here for your unique voice and expertise. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your authentic style—over time, what once felt awkward will feel effortless. So grab your camera, start recording, and watch your confidence shine.
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