How to Overcome Camera Shyness and Record a Video for Your Business
Over the holidays we spent some time at my parents' place in the Swiss mountains. It’s always a relaxing time for me since I really try to unplug and stay away from the Internet. For my kids, however, the days seem longer without their friends and room full of toys. Since I won’t allow them to play video games all day (they have a 1-hour limit) my 10-year-old came up with another idea: he found a guy on YouTube who teaches a series of paper folding crafts. So that’s how they would spend their mornings: watch Rob’s video, then follow his step-by-step instructions to craft the perfect 16-Point-Ninja Stars and other creations.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to understand that today’s generation grows up with YouTube. They want visual animation, not just text. So in order to make sure your business stays up-to-date, use the tips below on how to get started and record a video to share:
Don’t Try to Be Perfect
As a perfectionist by nature, it was very difficult for me to get started. I kept comparing my videos to the ones from other marketers and thought, "They are better looking, they are more natural, they have a professional setup, etc." It’s easy to get discouraged by comparing yourself to others and then never get started. Well, be assured that even these professionals had to start from scratch one day and their first video probably didn’t look so perfect either. So embrace imperfection and just get started! Perfection will come with time.
Content Is King (No One Will Pay Attention to That Pimple on Your Chin)
Another barrier that holds people back from creating videos (especially us women) is fear of cameras and the fact that a large audience will see our face. How can one compare with Marie Forleo’s perfect hair, ever-changing dresses, and natural style? You can’t! And you don’t have to! What you need to realize is that people will watch your videos for their useful content and not to check out your latest spring fashion (and even less that pimple on your chin).
Invest in Some Basic Equipment
You can start out with a computer and a webcam and record your first videos directly via YouTube. When you get comfortable with that, I recommend you invest in some basic equipment. Lou Bartone, a video specialist, recommends a USB microphone like the Blue “Snowball” mic and a basic light kit, which you can get on Amazon.com for about $150.
Create a Strategy
Like with anything you do online, you need to develop a strategy for your video marketing. What do you want to accomplish with each video? Do you create the videos to build your email list, do you use them to promote virtual events such as webinars or Google Hangouts? Do you use them as a Freebie product? Also don’t forget that a video is a piece of content, just like a blog post, that can easily be cross-promoted on each of your social media channels.
2014 - Year of the Live Video
If 2013 was the year of video, 2014 will in my opinion be the year of the live video. With the appearance of Google Hangouts on Air, people will be looking more and more looking for live, streaming video. The difference is that it’s no longer a "staged" video that you spend hours creating and editing; instead, you’re broadcasting in real time, and the editing option disappears. Which one is easier? I would say the "staged" video feels safer because you can edit it before you upload it to YouTube. Live video, however, is easier because you will spend less time trying to achieve perfection. Read this post to find out if your business is ready for Hangouts on Air.
Whether you choose the "live" or the "staged" option, I encourage you to make 2014 the year where your small business embraces video. The advantages are countless!
