How to Talk to a Camera
Practise speaking in front of the camera., Record yourself., Pretend you are talking to a friend., Put your practise videos online., Plan your speech., Use plain language., Enunciate properly., Speak slowly., Choose short, clear sentences., Take a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Practise speaking in front of the camera.
Just try to get used to speaking to the camera.
Having a chance to do this a bunch of times will give you some basic experience and level of comfort.
Don't worry too much about the small details at first, just get some time talking to the camera under your belt. -
Step 2: Record yourself.
Record yourself practising so that you can play it back and see how you look and sound.
Try to speak in your normal speaking voice. , Look into the camera lens and pretend it is your best friend.
Try to forget about who might watch the video and think about your best friend watching.Thinking about talking to a friend can make your video warmer and more relaxed. , Put a few practice videos on YouTube or another online video site.
Tell the audience that they are videos of you practising speaking to a camera and ask for advice from viewers.Some critiques may be tough but focus on constructive comments.
Over time you will get more comfortable with the process of speaking to the camera, posting videos, and getting feedback. , Think about what you are going to say and make an outline of the main ideas.
You don't need a complete script but it helps to have a plan to make sure you cover the main points.
Planning the order of ideas will make your speech clearer and help with nerves. , Avoid words that most people don't know including long and unusual words and words that are specific to your area of work or expertise.
If the subject you are talking about has a lot of jargon or insider language, try to use everyday language instead.
Avoid acronyms or nicknames.
Instead of "website optimization," say "making your website work well."
Mumbling people can't be well understood, and the video-watcher might even stop watching your video.
Pronounce the words clearly and correctly.
If you're not sure how to say a word, either look it up or don't say it at all. , Many people talk too fast when they become nervous.
Make sure to talk slowly enough that your audience can follow your ideas. , Short sentences are both easier to say and easier to understand.
If it takes a long time for you to complete a sentence, your viewer may lose track of your point.Use each sentence to convey one brief idea.
Longer sentences are hard to say because you may run out of breath.
Shorter sentences will make your speech seem more natural.
People watching videos may be doing other things, like eating lunch.
Keep your ideas short and clear to hold attention. , Before you begin talking talk a few deep breaths.
This will calm your nerves and help you breathe more naturally as you speak. , Look into the camera lens so that you will make eye contact with your audience.
This will help you connect with your viewers.Feel free to look away from the camera to direct attention and make your video feel natural.
Look at other people in the video, if there are any, to direct attention to them when they are speaking.
Look at objects you are discussing.
If you are holding or showing off a product, look at the object while speaking about it. , Make sure you are standing in front of a background that looks good.
Pick a background that is clean and not distracting.
The background should be static.
If things behind you are moving around it will be distracting.
The background can convey a setting.
A bookshelf behind you will be more interesting and important looking than a blank wall without being too distracting. , Wear clothes that match with the subject you are talking about and the purpose of your video.If your video is business related, wear the clothes you would wear when doing business.
For a friendly video about making new friends, wear the clothes you would wear when hanging out with friends.
Avoid any clothes that are distracting such as clashing colors or complicated patterns. , How you hold your body and arms can make a big difference.Stand up straight and hold your shoulders back to look reliable and confident.
Stay balanced.
Don't shift your weight from side to side or fidget.
Gesture with your hands to direct the viewer's attention, or to convey emotion and emphasis.
Keep your hands visible.
Putting your hands in your pockets or behind your back might make you look nervous or untrustworthy. -
Step 3: Pretend you are talking to a friend.
-
Step 4: Put your practise videos online.
-
Step 5: Plan your speech.
-
Step 6: Use plain language.
-
Step 7: Enunciate properly.
-
Step 8: Speak slowly.
-
Step 9: Choose short
-
Step 10: clear sentences.
-
Step 11: Take a breath first.
-
Step 12: Make eye contact.
-
Step 13: Choose a background.
-
Step 14: Dress appropriately.
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Step 15: Use body language.
Detailed Guide
Just try to get used to speaking to the camera.
Having a chance to do this a bunch of times will give you some basic experience and level of comfort.
Don't worry too much about the small details at first, just get some time talking to the camera under your belt.
Record yourself practising so that you can play it back and see how you look and sound.
Try to speak in your normal speaking voice. , Look into the camera lens and pretend it is your best friend.
Try to forget about who might watch the video and think about your best friend watching.Thinking about talking to a friend can make your video warmer and more relaxed. , Put a few practice videos on YouTube or another online video site.
Tell the audience that they are videos of you practising speaking to a camera and ask for advice from viewers.Some critiques may be tough but focus on constructive comments.
Over time you will get more comfortable with the process of speaking to the camera, posting videos, and getting feedback. , Think about what you are going to say and make an outline of the main ideas.
You don't need a complete script but it helps to have a plan to make sure you cover the main points.
Planning the order of ideas will make your speech clearer and help with nerves. , Avoid words that most people don't know including long and unusual words and words that are specific to your area of work or expertise.
If the subject you are talking about has a lot of jargon or insider language, try to use everyday language instead.
Avoid acronyms or nicknames.
Instead of "website optimization," say "making your website work well."
Mumbling people can't be well understood, and the video-watcher might even stop watching your video.
Pronounce the words clearly and correctly.
If you're not sure how to say a word, either look it up or don't say it at all. , Many people talk too fast when they become nervous.
Make sure to talk slowly enough that your audience can follow your ideas. , Short sentences are both easier to say and easier to understand.
If it takes a long time for you to complete a sentence, your viewer may lose track of your point.Use each sentence to convey one brief idea.
Longer sentences are hard to say because you may run out of breath.
Shorter sentences will make your speech seem more natural.
People watching videos may be doing other things, like eating lunch.
Keep your ideas short and clear to hold attention. , Before you begin talking talk a few deep breaths.
This will calm your nerves and help you breathe more naturally as you speak. , Look into the camera lens so that you will make eye contact with your audience.
This will help you connect with your viewers.Feel free to look away from the camera to direct attention and make your video feel natural.
Look at other people in the video, if there are any, to direct attention to them when they are speaking.
Look at objects you are discussing.
If you are holding or showing off a product, look at the object while speaking about it. , Make sure you are standing in front of a background that looks good.
Pick a background that is clean and not distracting.
The background should be static.
If things behind you are moving around it will be distracting.
The background can convey a setting.
A bookshelf behind you will be more interesting and important looking than a blank wall without being too distracting. , Wear clothes that match with the subject you are talking about and the purpose of your video.If your video is business related, wear the clothes you would wear when doing business.
For a friendly video about making new friends, wear the clothes you would wear when hanging out with friends.
Avoid any clothes that are distracting such as clashing colors or complicated patterns. , How you hold your body and arms can make a big difference.Stand up straight and hold your shoulders back to look reliable and confident.
Stay balanced.
Don't shift your weight from side to side or fidget.
Gesture with your hands to direct the viewer's attention, or to convey emotion and emphasis.
Keep your hands visible.
Putting your hands in your pockets or behind your back might make you look nervous or untrustworthy.
About the Author
Emma Gibson
Creates helpful guides on lifestyle to inspire and educate readers.
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