Bloggers and entrepreneurs alike will all eventually be presented with the opportunity to be on camera in one way or another.
Maybe this is for an interview or review, maybe it’s you deciding to expand into the area of vlogging or creating video content for your youtube channel or even creating a webinar to educate your following about something.
Whatever the case, being in front of a camera can be intimidating at first, but think of all of the amazing content we would be missing out on if no one had ever overcome this fear!
We want to provide you with some ways to challenge these fearful thoughts when they arise so you can get back to creating incredible content!
How To Overcome The Fear Of Being On Camera
1. Remember Your Purpose
While fear can be crippling, you have to remind yourself of the purpose you have for doing what you’re doing.
You obviously have a reason for creating or being a part of some sort of video content and I want to challenge you to meditate on that reason.
- It could be that you want to provide your audience with a new format of content.
- Or maybe you’re being interviewed on a friend’s channel as a way to help grow her audience and yours at the same time.
- Maybe you are looking to be more transparent in the way you deliver your content.
Whatever it is, it is important to your brand. And for that reason alone, it is essential that you share it with the world.
This is much easier said than done, but I promise that if you’re focusing on the deeper meaning of being on camera rather than your fear of it, you will become more comfortable with the idea.
2. Perfection Is Crippling
Something I’ve learned in my time with creating content (any form of content) is that when you’re aiming for perfection – you will never find it!
Meaning, when you are so focused on filming and editing and saying the right thing and making sure to always look perfect and not mess up your words and and and… you’re going to lose sight of what you’re actually trying to accomplish.
Most people, and I’m gonna bite the bullet and say that most of your loyal followers, are not your fans because they think you’re perfect. In fact, most people prefer influencers and role models and coaches that aren’t “perfect”.
People crave realism and authenticity. And when entering an area that is new to you (such as video content) people are going to expect that you are going make more mistakes than someone that has been doing this for years – everyone takes time to grow.
My advice to you when struggling with perfection would be to only allow yourself to “correct yourself” a handful of times before publishing. With this I mean, if you’re catching yourself retaking your videos 10+ times just to get the perfect shot, limit yourself to how many you’re going to allow yourself and then be confident about the fact that what you have is good.
Again, imperfections are expected.
3. Invite A Friend
Inviting a friend is a great way to feel comfortable in front of a camera!
This may not be possible depending on the type of video being created (when doing an interview or something that you don’t have a say in, for example) but when creating your own content, try collaborating with someone you love to be around to make it go a bit smoother!
Let’s say you are creating your first vlog for your youtube channel. Think about what your video would entail if you included a friend in it. Maybe your video is focused on explaining your brand and what it means to you and your purpose for stepping into the video content world. You and your friend could have a casual conversation about these things and bounce questions off of each other, etc.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to how you wish to do this, but having a friend alongside you is an awesome way to alleviate some of that fear you have.
4. Over-Prepare
There are several ways to prepare before being in front of the camera, and these are some of my favorites and most helpful!
The way I like to think about practicing for a video is the same as I would for a presentation. You should have some sort of layout or script, to an extent. And then, like a presentation, some of your content will be made up along the way.
Practice your “plan” out loud to yourself a couple of times before just to feel comfortable with the language you are using. The more you prepare, the smoother it will go.
Another great thing to do in preparation is to watch some videos of your favorite YouTubers and vloggers and see how they interact with their virtual audience. Now you don’t want to be exactly like them, but it’s totally appropriate to see how others interact on camera in order to find your favorite ways of doing so.
Note: There is a fine line between appropriately preparing and obsessing. Going back to my bit on perfection, you want to make sure that the ways in which you are practicing and preparing aren’t inhibiting you from doing what you set out to do.
5. It’s Not All About You
Relating to purpose, something that has always helped me in times of fear is to remember that it’s not all about me!
In terms of being afraid in front of a camera, you have to remember that this video is not all about you. No matter what the video is for, the content is not only for your glory.
Again, remember that purpose you have for your video and it will be easier for you to take the attention off of yourself. While it may seem like all the focus is on you, remind yourself that the video being created is for your audience!!
It all comes back to accepting the fact that you can not grow within your comfort zone. Everyone has to wrestle with this from time to time, and believe me, it’s not always fun. But learning and growing is part of the process!
Practicing and remembering these steps will help you face and overcome the fears you have tied to being in front of a camera!
Good luck 🙂
Fran Kolars is a blogging intern for LadyBossBlogger. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in Retail Merchandising and Interior Design at the University of Minnesota. Blogging is an interest of hers that was sparked by her passion for mental health, self-care, and motivation for women.