How To Be Confident On Camera

HOW TO BE CONFIDENT ON CAMERA

Video calls have been around for some time (Skype, anyone?), but now more than ever they are part of our workplace fabric.  Chances are, you are jumping on video calls at least a few times a week. And since many companies are embracing a hybrid work model, you may be asked to give a presentation on video,  lead your weekly meetings on video or pitch to prospective clients on camera. The bottom line is: turning your video on for important meetings is inevitable.

Perfecting video calls is one of the most important modern day skills for workplace success.

And while it may seem like some people appear more comfortable on camera than others, this is something you can improve. The more confident you are on camera the more likely you will be seen as a leader.

Being seen as a leader can help you get that next promotion or raise #workplaceadvantage

So how can you be confident on camera?  We’ve put together a few strategies we believe will help you be the most confident you can be. As a former Emmy-Award-winning TV Reporter, I use many of these tips myself every single day!

As a VIP Communications Pass holder, this article is packed with extra tips and tools to show you how you can be a more confident communicator, including videos, downloadable tips, step-by-step instructions, and more! 

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/642776694

VIP Communications Pass Video: Camera Presence

1. YOUR SETUP

If you want to exude confidence while on camera, you will need to have a good camera setup.  This is the most basic and easy thing to do! This means taking into consideration your surroundings, camera angle, and audio.  

Surroundings – What’s in your background? Are you sitting with your camera on your lap in your storage room?  Do you live on a street with a lot of traffic noise?  Or maybe you are at a local coffee shop.  If you want to appear confident, you will want to make sure your surroundings reflect confidence.  Here are some solutions:

• • Get yourself into a quiet space.  Try to eliminate as much outside noise as possible.
  • Declutter your background.  If decluttering isn’t possible, consider using a premade digital background or a divider like this. 
  • Check your lighting.  You want to make sure you can see and be seen while you are on your video call.  Sometimes outside light can create a halo effect which will make it difficult for others to see you.

 Camera Angle – There is a reason selfie sticks exist.  Because a camera at a down angle always looks better than an up angle. It is hard to exude executive presence when your audience can see up your nose!

Here are some solutions you can implement right now:

• Elevate your computer, phone, or camera whenever possible.  You can do this by stacking books, or using a tripod for your phone or camera. Or, get a laptop elevator. 
• Push the camera away from you.  Just like when you try to take a selfie – the further away the camera is from your face the better.  Pushing the camera away – about 2 to 3 feet, will help frame your face and the background.
• Tilt your camera.  If you are using a laptop you can fold the top down a bit to help with your angle.  If you are using a cell phone, consider a tripod or camera stand.  You can tilt these to give you the best camera angle.
• Audio – If you are constantly struggling to hear or be heard on camera, your confidence will falter.  Having to ask someone to repeat themselves over and over again is frustrating for both parties. So, be sure to have your audio checked prior to your video call. Here are some solutions:
  • Do a test run with a co-worker to see if your audio is working.  
  • Get noise-canceling headphones so that you can drown out any background noise around you.
  • Use a microphone.  You can use headphones with a built-in mic or even use a true microphone like this one. 
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2. BODY LANGUAGE

Before you speak, your body language can tell your audience whether or not you are feeling confident. And even though you are on camera, your body language is still very important.

Be mindful of these areas:

Eye Contact – You may not be able to see your audience entirely, but they can see you.  It is important that you understand how to make eye contact while on camera.  Just like in a face-to-face meeting, if you aren’t making eye contact it will come across like you are not interested or engaged.  It can also make you seem less confident. This means:

• • If you are speaking, you will want to look directly into the camera lens on your phone or computer.  This will make your audience feel like you are looking directly at them. Vary it up by sometimes looking at the screen and other times at the lens.

Posture – Your posture is important on video.  In fact, it is probably even more obvious if you are slouching when you’re on camera. This means:

• • Sit up straight.  In order to force yourself to sit up straight, you can sit on the edge of your seat.  Don’t lean back in your chair as this can make you seem like you aren’t paying attention or engaged. 
  • Keep your shoulders back.  Don’t hunch over.  

Hand Gestures – Most people talk with their hands to some degree, however, when they start presenting, they forget about it.  You will look much more confident if you allow yourself to use soft and slow gestures while speaking. This means:

• • Take your hand off the mouse. Allow yourself space to use gestures.  Don’t keep your hands in one place or stuck to your mouse.
  • Relax your arms. You can be sitting with excellent posture, but if your arms are stiff, you will come across as frozen.  And frozen does not exude confidence.

Remember, your body language is just as important on camera as it is in an in-person meeting. 

 

3. LOOK AND SOUND

Think about people who appear confident on video.  Chances are they have practiced their tone of voice, what they plan to say and how they want to look.

Consider these tips in your next video meeting:

Speed – Have you ever watched someone give a speech so fast that you felt nervous for them even though you were sitting in the audience?  Your pace or the speed at which you speak can make you appear nervous or controlled. This means:

• • Practice slowing down your speaking to a conversational speed even though you may feel nervous.  When you speak at a conversational pace, you will be more relaxed and appear more confident.

Wardrobe – What you wear on camera matters. If you are confident in what you are wearing it will show. This means:

• • • Try to stick to jewel-tone colors or anything that will pop on screen.  
    • Avoid wearing anything that may wash you out, like grey. 
    • Try to wear avoid anything that is distracting.  This includes fabrics that are shiny or anything with a lot of ruffles. You don’t want others to be distracted by what you are wearing.

Tone – Often times when you are nervous, your tone of voice will flatten.

• • Practice speaking on camera and pay attention to your tone of voice. 
  • Make sure you aren’t monotone by having variety.
  • Settle into a natural tone of voice as you speak. 

Record Yourself – Not sure how you’re coming across?  Record yourself to see what you sound like.  You can also catch yourself using filler words. 

Practice – Whether you are giving a presentation in front of thousands of people, or in front of a single camera, you have to practice.  The more you practice, the more confident you will be on camera.

The way you look and sound will greatly affect your confidence while on camera.  Practicing before you go on camera will help boost your confidence.

The key to being confident on camera is setting yourself up for success.  This means setting up your space and camera for optimal performance, paying close attention to your body language, and practicing.  The more you practice, the more confident you will appear.

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