9 Tips for being on Camera
Needing to deliver a message on camera but don’t know where to start? Have no fear! We’ve compiled 9 easy tips to make the most out of your on-camera experience.
1. Know Your Topic
This kind of goes without saying, but it’s probably a good thing to have an idea or two of what you’ll be discussing. If you are being interviewed, ask that you have access to the interview questions beforehand so you can plan and rehearse your responses. If you are delivering a message straight to camera, write down and familiarize yourself with keys bullet points. Bullet points are great because it’s a guaranteed way to hit all of the important parts of your message without sounding too scripted. Delivering a message in an authentic and conversational way will more likely keep your audience engaged. If you’re afraid you might forget parts of your topic, practice your teleprompter skills and have one handy during your next video.
2. Body Language Speaks Volumes
Body language, there are hundreds upon hundreds of books written on this kind of stuff. Body language is not only important in social settings, it’s also important on camera. Do you tend to cross your arms when someone is asking you a question? Fidget in the chair? These are all very important gestures to be aware of because the type of body language you are presenting can either aid your message or hurt it. Do you talk with your hands? Do you blink a lot? Shift your eyes? These are all normal responses we do when we’re nervous and can easily be changed with practice. Practice speaking in front of a mirror. Or better yet, record yourself. Being able to see yourself will give you a better insight into your natural body language and what you can improve on. Which brings me to my next point—
3. Practice Good Posture
Like body language, posture is equally important, if not, more. We should all try to practice good posture on a daily basis. According to DMC Healthcare, benefits include confidence boost, back relief, optimal digestion, improved mood and overall concentration. Posture on camera is important because bad posture tends to stick out to a viewer. Plus, you’ll feel pretty uncomfortable after awhile. Having good posture will set you up for success, giving you space to breathe and be more confident.
4. Take It Easy, Talk Slow
Take. It. Easy. Talk. Slow. Okay, not that slow. But do talk in a concise way, enunciating each word and pausing after a complete thought to let the moment sink in (and to give space for the editor to cut when needed). Sometimes (especially when we get nervous) it’s easy to talk quickly and skim over words. But that’s the thing. What you are saying is important and the viewer needs to hear it in a clear and consistent way. If you mess up, that’s okay. Just pause, take a breath and start again or start where you left off. If your content is being edited, those kinds of mess ups can be fixed.
5. Smile, Always
Did you know, smiling can boost your overall mood? Well, it does! It also relieves stress which is often needed when delivering a message on camera. As the universal sign for happiness, not only is it good for you, it also offers the viewer a sense of friendliness. Best tip of advice? Always smile with the eyes! Don’t know how to do that? Check out the video below to learn how to show your authentic smile on camera.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
Hydration. It’s great for the skin. It’s great for the body. But most importantly, it’s great for the mind! It’s important to drink plenty of water the day before you plan to be on camera and the day of. A combination of being nervous and talking can often times lead to a dry throat or mouth. We recommend having access to water during your interview to help keep vocal cords moist.
7. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Wearing clothing that makes you feel confident AND comfortable, is a game changer. When you have so much on your mind, the last thing you want to do is think about your clothing. It’s an unnecessary distraction. If you’re unsure about what to wear, play around with it. Get dressed up and see how it feels to sit in your outfit over dinner. Have a friend, family member or coworker record you in your outfit to see what it looks like on camera. What matters most is how you feel when you’re wearing your outfit and if it’s going to be a distraction for you. Best rule of thumb, always wear something that makes you happy when you put it on.
8. Don’t Be Afraid of The Camera
At the end of the day, the camera is an inanimate object. It’s not going to bite you, judge you or talk back to you. Imagine the camera is a long lost friend, someone you’ve always cherished, someone you’d be happy to see. When you talk to the camera, imagine you’re talking to that person. The camera is essentially all of your viewers and the energy you give to the camera is the same kind of energy the viewers will receive. Don’t be afraid. Embrace it.
9. Don’t Forget to Breathe
Right now, take a big breath, the biggest breath you’ve taken all day. Doesn’t that feel nice? The same principle applies to being on camera. It’s so easy to get distracted by the moment— the interview questions, the camera, the sound person. The one thing you will have control of at all times is your breath. In your every day life, take some time to practice breathing. When rehearsing your message, find moments to breathe. It will help so much when the time comes to deliver your message on camera.
BONUS TIP… it’s okay to mess up!
It’s completely human to mess up and the wonderful thing about video is that it can be edited! If you feel like you mess up during filming, just smile, laugh and move past it. Your editor will fix the mistakes. Just make sure to pause before speaking so the editor can look for parts to cut. And in some cases, the “mess ups” are actually great ice breakers in a video. Who doesn’t love an authentic laugh?
