How To Address Your Audience

For many, the thought of being on camera and watching themselves back is nerve-racking and uncomfortable. However, like anything, the more you do something, the better you become and therefore, the more confident you feel about doing it. 

Start off on the right foot and make sure you are feeling good by looking good. We're not saying you need to wear a tux or a ball gown, but make sure you feel presentable. We all know the feeling of wearing a great outfit or having a good hair day. (Ok, sometimes our hair has mind of it's own but you get the idea).

So once you look the part, you also need to sound the part too. The first thing you need to think about is how to address your audience. To make your video feel personal, imagine speaking to an individual as opposed to a group of people. This will also give you an indication of the tone and volume you should be adopting. Think about it like this, the way you communicate to an individual in comparison to a crowd of people are two very different techniques.

Leave Someone A Message

If you're still finding it tricky to feel at ease on camera, reframe your thinking behind it. Think of your video as a message you're leaving for someone to pick up in the future.

When you leave a voice mail or voice note to a friend, you don't overthink it or script what you're going to say. You're just being yourself, saying what you need to say and signing off. Well, try thinking of your audience as that friend. Your video is a message you want them to see at a later stage and includes key pieces of information.

Also, while we don't tend to recommend writing a fancy script and learning it to 'present' to camera (unless you're a real pro), we understand it may be tricky to remember what you want to say. There is a trick to doing so and sounding natural at the same time. Firstly, split your talking points up and speak aloud what you want to say for each as opposed to writing it down. You may jot down a few key words or phrases as a visual reminder before you start filming, but avoid writing anything too complicated or lengthy. Then repeat your dialogue several times before you record each talking point.

Talk To A Real Person

Another way to feel relaxed and to be yourself on camera is to imagine talking to a real person and to focus solely on them. One way to guarantee this is to start by having a real person in the room with you, behind the camera. While you'll still need to look down the lens and talk to camera, you will be immediately heard by an individual receiving your message.

This technique will help you engage your audience in a natural way as you would if you were speaking to someone in real life. The more you practice, the better you'll be at imagining a real person without actually needing a physical presence there.

Another way to relax and 'get out of your head' is to focus solely on the individual you're talking to. Think about when you speak to someone in real life - you're focused entirely on them and any reaction they have to what you're saying. You focus on them because you want to gauge their reaction to know if you're being understood. Well, it's the same premise on camera. Prioritise your audience and the message you are trying to convey.

Just Be Yourself!

Don't try to be anything other than yourself! You want your followers and clients to get the true sense of you as a person. Many times, people feel the need to put on a bravado or a false persona in a bid to be more 'interesting' on camera. However, it's far better to just be inherently you. Don't try to hide any mannerisms or colloquialisms. That being said, you can have fun with it and show personality but always keep it professional.

So, ignore the little voice in your head that tells you you've got to be anyone or anything other than you!

'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great'

Need some extra guidance?

We get that all this stuff can be a little daunting and it's normal not to be brilliant to begin with.

If you feel you'd like more help on your journey to presenting like a pro, click on the button below to learn more about our 1 to 1 coaching ... it's cheaper than you think and may be just the thing you need to help you feel fab on camera.