How to Be More Comfortable on Camera

How to Be More Comfortable on Camera

Recent studies show that online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic by the end of 2022. In today’s digital world, video is a content must-have. Maybe you’ve thought about creating a video for YouTube or social sharing, but the thought of filming yourself has always stopped you short.

Now is the time to jump into the video content arena! To help, we’ve compiled a list of our best tips for becoming more comfortable on camera.

1. Write a loose script.

In order to be more comfortable on camera, you have to know what you’re going to say before you start filming. You certainly don’t have to write a full script, but even a simple bullet-point list can help you speak more confidently and without hesitation.

How much of a script you decide to write is completely up to you and what you need to be comfortable on camera. If you’re aiming for a loose script, try to focus on coming up with a catchy intro, outlining your main points, and deciding what call-to-action to use in your conclusion (ask viewers to subscribe, follow, comment, click a link, etc.).

2. Imagine you’re speaking to a friend.

When you first start, it can be challenging to come across naturally, simply because you probably don’t feel very natural doing it. But a trick many video creators have used to get ahead of the curve is to simply imagine that they are talking to a close friend. Some have even gone so far as to print off a photo of their best friend and tape it above the camera. Doing this may sound silly, but it could very well help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera and, as a result, speak more confidently.

3. Remember that you can edit.

Whenever you’re trying something new, perfectionism is your biggest enemy. That’s why it’s important to decide right now, at the very beginning, that you’ll allow yourself to stop aiming for perfection and start being ok with “good enough.” You’re not going to be perfect at shooting videos from the get-go. You’re not going to feel like your on-screen energy is perfect the first time. But remember that you can edit anything you film!

On the flip side of that, try to also keep in mind that your audience will appreciate seeing someone who is human. If you make a huge mistake or have an issue that genuinely detracts from the viewing experience, then certainly feel free to edit that out. But if you fumble over one word, you don’t have to edit it out. In short: edit as you see fit, but try not to sweat the small stuff.

4. Design a professional-looking video that you can be proud of.

One of the best ways to feel confident about your video is to know that you’re creating something that looks professional. And a great tool you can use to accomplish that is Zubtitle. When you use Zubtitle to edit your video, you can incorporate attention-grabbing titles to the top border, add automated captions effortlessly, quickly resize for any social media platform, use custom fonts/colors, and more. For more on Zubtitle, click here.

5. Relax and go for it.

The fact is, you can plan out every facet of your video and write full scripts and practice for days (or even months) on end, but there’s only one way that you’ll ever really get more comfortable on camera: be on camera! When you’re nervous about being on camera, it’s easy to settle down in the planning stage indefinitely.

The best way to get started is to realize that your first video will not be your best one, and that’s ok. Everybody begins at square one. If you never start, then you’ll never be able to get better and feel more confident. The only way to get over your nerves (and to become confident in your on-camera skills) is to just relax and start doing it!

Are you ready to start making videos you can feel confident about?

Sign up for a free account today and start creating!