How to Get Over Your Live Video Nervousness
Itās a rare person who loves public speaking or appearing on video. If thatās you, you can stop reading right now.
But if youāre among the (much larger) crowd who suffers sweaty palms, racing heart, and uncontrolled butterfliesāand youāre letting these get in the way of your video marketing dreamsāthen read on.
Hereās the thing: We all get nervous. Even those who love public speaking and appear so natural on the video are often shaking on the inside. Theyāve just found a way to deal with their fear and make it work for them.
Practice Makes Perfect
The first time you do anything, youāre likely to be nervousāespecially if itās a public performance. The only way to lessen the fear is to do it. And do it again. And again. And again.
That means not only should you practice your webinar or speech ahead of time, but you should also take to the stageāwhether virtual or realāas often as you possibly can. Donāt pass up any opportunity to appear on video, on podcasts, in a webinar or on the stage.
And if you need a place to practice in a judgment-free zone, consider joining a group such as Toastmasters, where you can work to reduce your nervousness in front of a live audience.
No Pressure
Sometimes, the worst judgment comes from our own head. Donāt let that voice lie to you, though. There really is no need to pressure yourself to perform, or to be perfect, and thereās certainly no need to berate yourself for all those small mistakes you make.
Instead, acknowledge that no one is perfect, that youāre doing your best, and that youāre improving with each and every eventābecause you almost certainly are! Be nice to yourself, and recognize that there really is no need for perfection.
Just Be Yourself
Hereās the biggest hurdle we can face: trying to be someone we are not. We see professional news anchors, actors, and others who appear poised and polished on every video clip, and we think thatās how we have to appear.
Thatās simply not true. Your audience wants to get to know you better, not the person you think you should be. So be your fun-loving, mistake-making, self-forgiving self. It willresonate so much better with your audience that everything else will be easier as a result.