Speak With Confidence

It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. If you want to make amazing videos, we must address those nagging thoughts of insecurity and doubt.

It's high time you had a solid foundation of confidence to build upon so every time you go to produce your videos, your energy is not drained by habitual negative thoughts.

How do you want the audience to FEEL? What do you want the audience to DO after your talk is over? Try and simplify this idea to some key points that will be easy for your audience to remember.

When you make a plan, you stay on course.

There’s nothing like accountability to keep you on track.

Creating Content: Knowing What You Want to Say

No more reading notes and memorizing scripts! Learn my best techniques for creating content that feels fresh, conversational and memorable. It’s time to become a great story-teller.

Your opportunities to speak on stage or on camera are about your audience, and how you can impact or reach them most effectively!

If you want to make your content easy to understand for your audience, follow the simple formula of The Prep Method! Prep stands for Point, Reason, Example, Point.

Make us remember what you are saying by telling a great story.

The more the storyteller can see and feel the thought bubbles, the more the audience will see and feel them too.

While it may be tempting to memorize your script, I think that the more conversational you are, the better.

Before a big presentation or video shoot, it’s normal to be nervous – and it’s okay! But the secret here is to flip your attention in a different direction.

You need to be able to visualize the room you’ll be in – and where you’ll be in the space, what the microphone set-up is like, and so on – before you get there. Then you can visualize your success!

Sometimes, people looking to make exciting content get a little obsessed with production value. You think you need a perfect PowerPoint and special animations or other fancy edits – but I promise you, less is more!

If you want to teach anything now – you’re going to have to learn how to be engaging on video, where your audience has a world of distractions.

I know it may be tempting to “wing it” when you get on stage, but chances are you will ramble on instead of delivering a confident and clear message.

On the day of your big speaking event, nervousness is normal – and I encourage you to think of it as heightened energy.

It’s over – pat yourself on the back. Tell yourself “good job” – and do that before you start yammering on about all the things you wish you did better.

Once you become familiar with your equipment and learn how to maximize your in-home shooting space, you’ll shine like a pro.

I only recommend items that have great reviews, so if you’re using any of the items or brands I mentioned here, I hope they earn your love too!

You may already have the perfect camera in your hand!

Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras have a lot of flexibility but can be more than you really need.

This simple device is exactly what I use when I do my Instagram LIVES @wishbeads.official.

We want to get a warm sound!

Great lighting makes you look like a total pro!

Glasses don’t have to be a problem – but as your ring light reflects back to you, you might feel like they are.

The thing we love about talking to people in person is the feeling of connecting with them – and most of that comes from looking in their EYES.

Enjoy a sampling of some "behind the scenes" set-ups I have used to create videos in a variety of situations!

No, you don’t need fancy equipment or build a staged setting, but you do need to think about finding a spot that offers some key factors so it will be EASY for you to get on camera.

No matter how convenient that kitchen table is, maybe it’s too busy – we’re going to look at how you can access the great lighting we talked about before while still making sure that YOU are the most interesting subject on screen.

If you’re considering using video for your business, that’s a chance for you to think about how you can bring in the colors from your website, or perhaps have a book you wrote in the background.

You’re in outer space! You’re in front of a bridge! You’re at the beach! You can be anywhere with a virtual background, right? Maybe not.

In case you’re interested in exploring virtual backgrounds, I’ve included some how-to videos as well as some resources for you to source images and digital backgrounds.

Before you hit record or join that video call, be sure to check the framing. Just as much as it’s important to check out your background, it’s important to situate yourself so your head is in the primary space of the shot.

This is the moment to look more at your public speaking skills, and how to be inviting with others – EVEN when you’re on the other side of a lens or staring at an audience from the stage.

We ALL have vocal habits. It’s important to bring your awareness to the ones that might be holding you back from conveying confidence.

Your voice is an instrument and like any instrument, the more you practice and play, the more expressive you become. Tessa Auberjonois is a premium voice-over talent in Los Angeles, and in this video, she shares her simple, but highly effective vocal exercises that can help you find and free your authentic voice. Visit her at tessaauberjonois.com for other opportunities to connect with her teaching.

Dynamic, confident body language is as simple as allowing yourself to be YOU.

In order to bring your most energized, positive self to the moment, it’s important to think about what you do BEFORE, so you can focus your mind and lift your mood.

Clothes give you energy, so whether you’re showing up on Zoom or recording videos for your YouTube channel, consider the impression your outfit will leave on your audience.

YouTube is an incredibly powerful search engine, so it’s never too early to begin making a plan for building your own channel and finding your audience.

There are so many places to post your videos! The best part about this accessibility is that you have so many places to PRACTICE and share your insights in low-stakes situations.

In our new digital world, online events are a terrific way to connect with others and continue to do business, learn new skills, and meet new people!

You might be here just for this section – you see an opportunity as a business owner, freelancer, or instructor to use video conferencing to reach MORE people, more potential customers, and therefore, more money and opportunities.

Zoom is an easy way to host a podcast and connect with your guests on camera as well as on video.

When gathering together in person isn’t possible, a virtual event offers an incredible chance to produce big events online.

Learning how to share your screen gives you an easy way to show your presentations as you host your Zoom meeting.

It’s time to take action! Right now get your creative juices flowing and think about ways that you can leverage Zoom for your work!