From the course: Social Media Video Strategy: Weekly Bites

Performance: Speaking to the camera

- Once you've created your video brand, decided what type of content you want to make, and worked within your social media strategy, then it's time to actually start making videos. Without going into the actual process of making a particular type of video, I want to spend this chapter getting you used to some things to consider before and during a video shoot, and although there are so many different types of videos, here we're focusing mostly on delivering straight to camera. So this encompasses things like vlogs and updates, product demos, educational videos, Q and A's, how-to videos, live videos, and more, and while these type of videos should definitely look and sound good, they're mostly accomplished using basic equipment and a simple setup. So I first want to talk about performance and aesthetics. Before getting in front of the camera, in your own skin. Speak clearly and conversationally, and talk in a way that your audience understands and identifies with. that you've chosen to portray. This consistency builds the foundation for your brand. In terms of structure, stick to one main topic. Design a thesis that you want the video to focus on, and then structure the video with a compelling beginning, middle, and end. If you can, incorporate dynamic storytelling elements along the way to keep your audience's attention. Along those lines, respect your audience's time, and don't ramble. Speaking extemporaneously is a real skill that few people pull off completely successfully. So at the very least, make sure that you stay on track by providing a structure for yourself, and give yourself time constraints. This means making yourself bullet points and doing plenty of rehearsal, or you might find that working with a script is more your style. Some people write the script and then rehearse it so that they memorize it well enough to deliver to camera, or some invest in a teleprompter. A teleprompter is a device that allows you to look directly into the lens of the camera and read your script, which is possible by reflecting the text via a sheet of clear glass or a beam splitter. As you can see, right now, I'm using a teleprompter to deliver this course. I purchased it from Amazon for a little more than $100, and I'm reading the text from a mobile teleprompter app that cost about $11. I chose this setup because I really wanted to emulate the conditions that I thought you might use to create your own video content. Keep in mind, speaking naturally with a teleprompter can be difficult. So make sure that you've practiced enough before you begin recording so that, above all, you're confident and conversational. Imagine that you're having a conversation with a friend or someone from your target audience. Often, part of being conversational is adding in interactive elements. That is, challenge your audience to engage with you. Ask questions. Doing things like this will often allow you to connect more deeply with your audience. When you record, I'd recommend that you do as many takes as you need to get it right. Remember, you can always edit the performances together later, so don't necessarily insist on a perfect delivery all the way through, and this doesn't necessarily mean that you're only doing additional takes when you make mistakes. You may also need to combine takes to keep the energy consistent for the entire video, which again is important in staying true to your brand and your voice. If you'd like to explore more topics in speaking and presenting, in speaking and presenting, feel free to check out some of these courses in our library feel free to check out some of these courses in our library because clear and consistent camera delivery because clear and consistent camera delivery will only help you reach your audience effectively. will only help you reach your audience effectively.

Contents