Boost Your On-Camera Confidence with These 6 Practical Tips

How Being Camera Shy Can Destroy Your Brand?

Let’s discuss a few important points on how being fearful on camera kills numerous opportunities for you-

Unable to Build Your Personal Brand

95% of people admit that videos have helped them increase brand awareness. Today people want to connect with authentic individuals or brands which they can relate with. 

If you’re camera shy, you’ll fall short of highlighting your personality, talent, and expertise through videos. And ultimately it hinders your ability to create a strong personal brand that can bring your audience closer to you. 

Miss On-Demand Opportunities

Camera shyness can hold you back from public speaking events, webinars, video conferences, or virtual meetings. These platforms provide mind-blowing opportunities to show your knowledge and connect with both local and wider audiences.

49% of brands prefer webinars and 78% prefer YouTube as the most effective video marketing channel. Isn’t it a great opportunity for you too?

When you’re camera shy, you miss out on these chances for growth and recognition. 

Lack of Overall Confidence

Apart from professional opportunities, being comfortable in front of the camera improves your self-confidence and allows you to enjoy your content creation journey. On the contrary, if you fear facing the camera, you miss the joy of engaging with your audience and sharing your passion.

How to Face The Camera Fearlessly- 5 Practical Tips on Building On-Camera Confidence

#1 Learn to Make Eye Contact With The Camera

Maintaining direct eye contact with your camera demonstrates your willingness to connect to the audience on a personal level. It makes a genuine connection with your audience and makes you feel confident like you’re directly speaking to them. 

Now you might wonder, "How do I maintain eye contact while delivering a flawless script", especially if you’re camera shy.

This is where a teleprompter comes to the rescue. It helps you speak without memorizing your lines or script and allows you to focus on the camera.

A teleprompter displays your script right below the camera lens, making it appear like you're looking directly at your viewers. Especially with the BIGVU teleprompter, you can control the speed at which the script scrolls. It makes sure you maintain a consistent pace without rushing or stumbling over your words.

BIGVU teleprompter provides you with flexibility in customizing your reading comfort. For example, you can adjust the font size, scrolling speed of text based on how many words you speak in a minute, and even the background color to suit your preferences. At BIGVU, we ensure that your reading experience is comfortable and sound natural.

Speak slowly, and take necessary pauses to sound more confident and less camera shy.

#2 Use Hand Gestures to Engage Your Viewers

Using hand gestures in videos helps you in two ways- it boosts your confidence and secondly, visually supplements your words. But to sound natural, you should not overuse it. 

To make it easier, keep your hand gestures descriptive and purposeful. How can you do that?

Keep these examples in mind-

• Use your fingers to show numbers less than 5. 
• While discussing the advantages or disadvantages, start by pointing left and then right or vice-versa.
• Use hands to indicate the level of something, such as growth or change. 

Here are a few things to avoid while using hand gestures-

• Avoid joining the fingertips of both hands, which can make you appear tense and awkward.
• Don't hold objects like pens or folded sheets during your video, as it can divert attention from your message.

Make sure to follow these tips while using hand gestures while recording a video, giving a public speech, or a presentation. 

#3 Use a Script Writer to Give Your Confidence A Boost

A well-structured script is like your guiding star while recording a video. It’s the roadmap that not only keeps you on track but also boosts your confidence in front of the camera. 

Let’s see how…

Imagine knocking in front of the camera without a script- you start fumbling, forget key points, and sound doubtful. This lack of preparation exacerbates camera shyness. 

A video script, on the other hand, is your anchor. It gives you clarity and confidence by laying out your content. It ensures you don’t miss out on essential details and get diverted from your path. 

Especially, with BIGVU AI Magic Writer, the process is as simple. Choose your script template depending on your video content, describe yourself or your video in a few lines, and let the magic writer do its magic. 

The AI Magic writer writes each video script according to the type of video you are making. There are templates for the perfect business pitch, sales proposal, news update, or industry tips video. Even if you want to rewrite an existing script in a different tone, the Magic AI Writer has you covered.

To make things easy, you can upload the same script on BIGVU teleprompter and start recording instantly—no need to juggle between hundreds of apps. 

For your convenience, we’ve also compared the top AI script generators in the market.

#4 Record Video in A Comfortable Setting

Recording a video is a breeze when you’re in your sweet spot. But how can you create that ease and confidence in your home? 

Let’s find out…

Imagine you’re about to record a video but your anxiety is holding you back. What will you do in that case?

Simply, make small changes in your routine.

For example, if you feel refreshed and confident after a nap, you can schedule your recording right after it. On the other hand, if caffeine intake makes you jittery and fumbling, save your coffee for after your video session. 

Things work best when you create an environment that aligns with your comfort. 

If you’re starting your video marketing journey, your home can be the most comfortable recording studio for you. Yes, there is no need to spend thousands of dollars on building a professional studio. 

All you need is your smartphone. It’s convenient, accessible, and perfect.

Here are a few tips on setting up a comfortable recording space in your home that can help you overcome camera shyness-

• Choose a quiet place- Find a quiet, well-lit area in your home to minimize distractions and ensure clear audio.
• Clear the clutter- Remove any clutter or distractions from the background. A clean, uncluttered setting keeps the focus on you and your message.
• Good lighting- For every video, natural light works wonders. You can also position yourself near a window to make the most use of soft, even lighting.
• Use props wisely- Use props in between that support your message. However, don’t overuse it.

Recording your video in a comfortable setting is a doorway to boost camera confidence. Your home, smartphone, and a few smart setup choices can make all the difference. 

#5 Use Professional Tools to Build Confidence

A professional-looking video instills confidence in both you, the presenter, and your audience. 

Imagine watching two videos: one with poor lighting, shaky camera work, and unclear audio, and another with crisp visuals, smooth transitions, and captivating background music. 

Which one captures your attention and trust more? The second one, right? A professional-looking video not only grabs your audience's interest but also makes you, the presenter, feel confident. 

Here’s how you can achieve it-

• Use of Background Music- Carefully selected background music can set the mood and keep your viewers engaged. 
• Subtitles and Captions- Captions drive 37% more viewers to watch your videos. BIGVU's automatic captions feature creates elegant auto-captions for videos on Instagram and any other social platform. It shows captions with multiple colors and character styles as seen on popular Instagram or TikTok videos.

• Add Business Cards- Use professional-looking business cards or graphics with your contact information in your videos. It creates authenticity and helps viewers connect with you beyond the screen.

The aim is to strike a balance between professionalism and authenticity. These elements should enhance your video, not overshadow your message.

#6 Practice Until You’re Confident to Face Camera Fearlessly

Confidence is not something you inherit at birth; it's a skill you develop over time. It's the same with facing a camera. As you record and review your videos, you'll notice yourself becoming more at ease, speaking more fluently, and feeling less camera-shy.

Share those recordings with your closest friends or family and ask for feedback. Their insights can be incredibly valuable, and help you identify what looks and sounds great and what might need improvement. Constructive feedback is the best feedback to build confidence.

To make your practice even more effective, BIGVU offers a valuable tool: the "read" button on the teleprompter. Use it to rehearse your lines before hitting the record button. It allows you to familiarize yourself with your script, improve your delivery, and build your confidence step by step.

Remember, it's all about progress, not perfection.

Your Turn Now!

Now, it’s your turn! 

Take what you’ve learned and put it into action. 

As you move ahead in your video recording journey, keep in mind that you’re not alone. Camera shyness is a challenge many of us face, but it’s a challenge you can conquer. 

With each video you create, you’ll find your voice, your style, and your confidence.