How to Appear More Confident on Video

A dark-skinned man sits at a table filming himself on a camera attached to a tripod. He wears headphones and speaks into a microphone attached to a metal arm, while he adjusts the knobs of an audio device on the table.

There’s no denying that video is all the rage these days in the world of social media. With the popularity of TikTok’s short-form videos and even Instagram pushing video content, now is the time to get on board if you haven’t already. However, that’s easier said than done for many because creating video content can sometimes feel intimidating for several reasons.

In this article, you’ll learn some tips that will help you increase your camera confidence so you can appear more comfortable on video. Before you know it, you’ll be a master at creating captivating videos for your brand’s social media presence.

How to Appear More Confident on Video

Being on camera doesn’t come naturally for everyone and that’s okay! Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to get more comfortable with creating video content for social media. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

1. Remember That Everyone Gets Nervous

Sometimes it helps to remember that you aren’t alone in how you feel. So, if you’re feeling nervous about creating video content, many others have been in the same position.

Do you know those creators whose videos you love to watch? Well, they were once nervous about filming videos too. And now, look where they are! You’re drawn to them because of their confidence and how effortless they appear on camera. But if you went back and looked at their first few videos, you’d probably find it was the opposite. They now appear more confident on video because of the years of practice they put in.

2. Create Notes or a Script to Work From

Do you feel like your mind goes blank whenever you try to film a video? You’re not alone! Sometimes that pressure of getting it exactly right when filming can leave you feeling nervous to the point where you forget what you wanted to say. Or it can cause you to stumble over your words or ramble on for too long. And because our audience has a short attention span, we want to avoid this. It’s better to get to the point as quickly as possible.

To keep yourself on track and focused, either jot down some notes or a full script beforehand. Notes are great if you’re able to wing it. However, if you’re more comfortable, you can script the entire video and read that instead. Just don’t come off too robotic. Have fun with it so it’s not obvious that you’re reading a script.

For some of my videos, I’ll use an app called BIGVU that acts as a teleprompter on my iPhone. That way, I can easily read a script and not worry about fumbling. It’s also available for Android and the web. See my video tweet below. I bet you can’t tell I was reading a script!

3. Practice Speaking Out Loud

The more you practice, the easier it’ll be to appear more confident on video. So, why not have a practice session or two before you begin filming? Stand in front of the mirror with your notes or script in hand and run through the entirety of your content with authority. Doing this will help you feel more comfortable with your content, as you’ll get used to each word and sentence that comes next. This will help you remember what you want to say, creating a nice flow.

4. Switch Into a Positive Mindset Before Recording

Now that you have your notes and you’ve done a practice round or two, why not take things a step further to amplify your mood? If you can get yourself into a high-vibe state before you hit the record button, it’ll completely change how you come across in the video.

One way to do this is by putting on an upbeat playlist and having a little dance party. It’ll ease your nerves and put a smile on your face at the same time. And when you feel good, the pressure will be off so you can just allow yourself to relax and share your content with ease.

5. Be Persistent

And finally, the best way to appear more confident on video is simply to practice, practice, practice. The odds of nailing something new your first go at it are pretty slim. Instead, you need to be persistent and make it a point to create video content regularly. The more videos you create, the better you’ll get at it. And the better you get, the more comfortable you’ll become, thus increasing your camera confidence.

If you want to get serious about video content, make it part of your content strategy for your social media platforms. Ask yourself how many high-quality videos you can commit to each week. Then, aim to stick with that. Just one or two videos a week is a great goal to have. Before you know it, it’ll be easier than ever for you to film a great video.

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