Stepping in front of a camera for the first time can be intimidating. Add to that the pressure of making an excellent first impression, and you’ve got a recipe for a pretty serious ulcer. The first video is usually the hardest; even the most seasoned speaker can get nervous in front of the camera.
Here are some tricks for being your best in front of a camera:
Be aware of any nervous tics you have, and actively monitor them when under the limelight. These may include incessantly clearing your throat, wiggling your eyebrows, wringing your hands, cracking your knuckles, tapping your foot, shifting back and forth or swaying, blinking excessively, swallowing hard, and saying “um”, “uh”, or “like” too often.
If you catch yourself tensing up, take deep breaths and relax your shoulders to snap yourself out of it.
Take it slow. People tend to speak too quickly when they are nervous. Aim to speak a little slower than normal. Carefully plan out what you want to say, perhaps taking notes or writing out a script ahead of time.
Remember, this is recorded. It deserves a high level of attention and preparation. You can’t change it once its gone public!
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Baraah Hamoudi (April 2019)