9 Steps to Transform Your On-Camera Speaking Game

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Have you ever been asked to record a video of yourself for an audition, application, or contest, and then found yourself sputtering and nervous? Or maybe you’re interested in vlogging, but the thought of staring into a glossy, soulless camera lens and speaking has you second-guessing the idea. Don’t worry—it happens to the best of us! Being able to speak confidently on camera will help you connect with your audience, portray your best self, and stand out from the crowd; these tips are a great place to start.

1. Research other speakers.

YouTube has a nearly endless supply of people speaking on camera, which means you can (and should!) use it as a resource. If there are YouTubers you love, go through their videos and take notes about their presence and what they’re doing that engages you. You can also check out vloggers and accounts that get into the nitty-gritty of speech coaching, like Vic Barry, Kirsty van den Bulk, and Public Speaking Power. These types of videos are helpful because you get to witness the speaker in action employing their own tips.

2. Get set for success.

Consider how best to present yourself, which will help you look, sound, and feel confident. This could mean choosing a nice background, setting up a ring light, finding the right microphone, or wearing your favorite outfit. Of course, you don’t have to go out and buy top-of-the-line equipment. Start with being mindful about where and how you’re filming. (Pro tip: Avoid the dark corner of a basement.)

If you’re looking to boost your filming set-up, check out our guide to the essential equipment for self-tape auditions.

3. Write it down.

Planning what you want to say is especially useful for vlogging or anything that you’ll be recording in advance. While you may not always be able to write down a script before going on camera, doing this in the beginning is good practice for feeling comfortable.

Jotting down your script doesn’t mean you have to memorize it, but it can “help you organize your thoughts in an order that makes the most sense,” wrote TV/radio personality Joey Skladany for Teachable.

It may be helpful to create an entire script for what you might say and then distill that into key points that you can reference. This will keep you from reading word-for-word, which can sound forced or unnatural, and will still give you a road map that you can reference.

4. Speak to your audience.

“Keep in contact with your audience and create the feeling as if you’re talking to them,” advises Clear Communication Academy. Imagining you’re talking to your audience rather than to your camera can make you feel more comfortable—which in turn can help you feel more confident. This can be difficult to do if you’re just getting started, so try out this tip for beginners: Ask a friend to hold the camera or sit right next to it, then look at and speak directly to them. This is also a great way to practice for interviews.

If you don’t have anyone available, practice by recording yourself or standing in front of a mirror. And remember that you’re hoping to engage the viewer, so focus on them by maintaining eye contact with the camera.

5. Be yourself.

You have your own perspectives, mannerisms, and speech patterns. Let those shine! Unless you’re an incredible actor, viewers can usually tell when someone isn’t being themselves—which can be unsettling in an uncanny valley kinda way. If you’ve enlisted a friend like suggested in the previous tip, take advantage of your natural conversations and interactions.

6. Avoid being too stiff.

Most communication takes place through “body language—posture, position, eye contact, facial expression, head and body movements, gestures, touch, etc,” studies have found. Many people forget to use their body language on camera—or alternatively, they move too much. One way to think about your body language is to be mindful when you’re having everyday conversations. How do you use your hands? How does your head move? How much are you moving? Keep those things in mind when going on camera and remember to use your natural hand gestures, facial expressions, and general movement. 

7. Don’t forget to breathe.

Breathing helps keep you calm and focused, so before you start recording, take a moment to do some deep breathing exercises. This will help you relax and prepare you to keep breathing properly while speaking.

8. Practice, practice, practice.

Sure, there might be some unicorns out there who are naturally comfortable and confident in front of a camera, but the truth is, most people fake it until they make it. If you’ve ever followed a vlogger from the beginning of their journey, you might be surprised to see the evolution of their onscreen persona. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be; sometimes, all you need to do is start.

9. Hit record.

Since you’re practicing anyway—or you should be if you read the last tip—go ahead and hit record. Even if you stumble or mess up, keep going. Play back your video, and even if it’s awkward to watch (and hear) yourself, try to review the recording with an analytical eye (not a self-effacing one!). Are you fidgeting? Are you looking off to the side? Is the camera angel weird? What can you do to improve the next recording?

Recording yourself multiple times can also help you relax. After a few trial runs, recording and watching yourself won’t be all that scary!

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