Are You Video Ready?

The world wants to get to know you. Especially if you sell services as a coach, consultant, healer, therapist or course creator.

We know that the best way to build an instant connection is in person. If that is not possible, you can always make a lasting impression with video. But what if you're a bit video shy?

This guide will help step into the spotlight comfortably and shine like on video. You can be more effective with video. Read on and learn how to manage internal and external barriers to entry whether you're a natural or camera shy.

Let's dive deep into the world of video content creation. Get ready to amplify your inner light with these 11 actionable steps! 

 

Why Use Video (Harness The Power Of Video)

 

Discover how video can be a game-changer for your business (and a great tool on your personal growth journey to boot). Video lets you share from the heart. It brings out your message in an engaging and memorable way.

Video had a lot of press in recent years with the advent of YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels and Stories. Even faceless marketing accounts use video, albeit stock type or b-roll footage.

Beware of the allure of going faceless. Your audience still wants you to show up as the leader you are. If you’re selling services, expertise and thought leadership. Stay close to learn how you can do video without the stress.

 

Video Is A Tool  

• To get your business traction 
• To improve your speaking & presentation abilities
• To grow your confidence 
• For personal growth

 

Stagefright? Watch 'Dior & I'  

 

Have you ever experienced stage fright? Do you avoid situations that might bring it up?

You might relate to ‘Dior & I’. This documentary shows a great example of stage fright. It shows designer Raf Simons and his team creating their first collection for Dior. With eight weeks to pull it off they face a ton of pressure... 

Fast-forward to showtime day, the hotly anticipated fashion moment is about to kick off. Raf is sitting with his assistant on a crumbling roof terrace in Milan. Sun is blazing, they're wearing black, drinking espressos, smoking. So far it's all how we'd imagine it. 

Now here's the bomb. We know that Raf is a talented, celebrated designer. YET he is sweating it. Big time. A close up reveals every muscle on Raf’s tense face. We sense...performance anxiety.

But those fashion folk love to celebrate their designer on stage after the show. Have their photograph taken, get the kisses, be the centre of intense attention. 

Someone gives Raf a last run through the show plan: .....So you come onto the catwalk at the end, Raf.

Raf’s answer is short: ‘I'm not gonna make a fool of myself’. 

 

Our Deepest Fear: Judgement, Rejection

 

Hearing an accomplished fashion icon voice this human emotion is breathtaking. Raf expresses what many of us feel when we have to show up on stage, on camera, in front of others.

We experience this when we exit our comfort zone.

Thing is, as an entrepreneur you can try and opt out of video. You can get a marketing team for the job for you.

Raf can’t opt out. His job description as a fashion designer and thought leader requires it. People want to see him, they're calling for him, they want to celebrate his collection with him. He has to face up to it. 

So what about you?

Do you want to challenge yourself to go from hiding to face of your business? Keep reading the 11 steps on how you can create high quality video (without the sweat!).

 

1 - Work With Your Nervous System

 

Feeling nervous or self-conscious on video and stage is human.

The first step to combating stage fright is recognising your go-to pattern when going in front of an audience. What's your coping mechanism when you have to be visible?

• Do you storm ahead into full on fight mode when stressed? You're hectic, flustered, attack-ready (puffed up posture, chin out, staring, elbows out). Blushing, stuttering, speaking too fast, laughing loudly, forgetting what to say.
• Or do you go into flight, trying to get away and hide? Avoiding eye contact, shrinking, slouching. Speaking quietly, freezing, shutdown, let yourself be interrupted. You may go blank. You might hide behind an expert facade speaking like a bot.
• Or does the anxiety manifest as complete avoidance? You plummet into shutdown and aren't even considering going on stage or in front of the camera?

Stephen Porges did groundbreaking research around the nervous system. These states of fight - flight - shutdown live on a continuum. We experience each state, and every individual has their preferred place to escape to. Once you know what your preferred place is you can start healing it.

 

2 - Nerves Keep You Sharp: Channel Anxiety Into Excitement

 

Transform anxiety into positive energy and excitement to fuel your video creation. Instead of letting fear hold you back, use it as fuel to propel you forward. Embrace the adrenaline rush that comes with putting yourself out there on video. Let it motivate you to push past your comfort zone and reach new heights.

And no, this doesn't mean, we're allowed to wing it. We still need a script. We still need to make sure the light is good, and the sound is of quality. We need to make sure there's not a pixelated picture we are presenting. 

To overcome nerves allow yourself to start from a place of learning, of improving. Remember that it's okay to be seen trying, be seen starting small. If anything, that will have your audience root for you even more.

And if you're worried about how you look and sound on video listen up. Firstly, you are human. You are beautiful.

We wanna get that real, beautiful, magnetic you. That's what your people are drawn to.

Send all your attention, all your energy through the lens to the viewer. Looking at them directly appeals to their emotions. 

Cheer yourself on, be excited about the process. Gather your insecurity, fear and all that anxiety bundle it up. And put it through that transformator to channel it into energy.

Excitement. Buzz. Fuel. For your voice, your message, body movements.

Make the nerves you feel for superpower. they are current, currency running through your body. They are what gives you life.

 

3 - Overcome Mental Blocks

 

We create obstacles, especially if we don't want to do something out of our comfort zone. These obstacles are often in our head.

For example, I worried about my voice and accent. I worried about not looking right, not having the perfect set, not having the perfect equipment.

Mental blocks ruled out video as a marketing option for me for a while.

You might tell yourself similar excuses.

Our inner critic can hinder our willingness to appear on video, magnifying our flaws and crushing our courage. Ignore this judgmental voice; instead, embrace imperfection and enjoy the process of video creation. Do this, and you'll create engaging videos.

Grant yourself permission to shine, as no one else will do it for you. Focus on serving your audience. Relax, loosen up, and get comfortable with being on camera.

Cheer others on when they take the spotlight, celebrating the sharing experience. Draw inspiration from bold entertainers like Freddie Mercury, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé, who didn't wait for permission to shine.

Just like them, you are unique and your voice matters. Take the stage, stand in front of the camera, and share your message confidently.

 

4 - Find a Way To Express Yourself That Feels Authentic

 

Finding your authentic expression is crucial. For some, doing a live stream is where the magic happens. Sure, it might feel like jumping into the deep end, but trust me, it's the simplest way to start your video journey. And create and share videos in a straightforward way.

The beauty lies in the lack of editing—no going back, just straight-up upload. That's the fastest route to getting traction with video. But it needs steely nerves.

So if you're more of a b-roll and voiceover kind of soul, that's okay too. Tailor your approach to match your temperament. It's all about finding what feels right for you and balancing that with the best way to showcase your products and services. You still want to speak on camera but it doesn't have to be via daily livestream.

Create a video marketing strategy that suits your personality.

 

5 - Make Time For Video (And Stick To It) 

 

Let's talk about being a pro at this video game. Making time for video is not just about squeezing it into your schedule. You need to honour the commitment you've made to yourself.

When you dedicate yourself to a regular video schedule, you're opening the door to massive growth and transformation. Creating regular video content strengthens your skills and builds unstoppable momentum towards your goals. Stick to that schedule like a pro.

Let me share a little secret with you. When I decided to level up my video game to boost my business, I knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park.

It meant pushing myself out of my comfort zone, filming videos, and putting them out there for the world to see. And let me tell you, it wasn't easy. But here's what lit a fire under me: accountability.

Yup, I found myself in a video competition that gave me the kick in the pants I needed. Having a deadline and a little healthy competition suddenly made video creation more exciting.

It gave me something tangible to focus on—a goal to strive for. Having that deadline, that incentive, and that bit of friendly competition lit a fire under me like nothing else. So, if you're looking to kickstart your video journey, find yourself some accountability. Trust me, it'll be the game-changer you never knew you needed.

 

6 - Join A Collaborative Community

 

Let's talk about the power of community on your video creation journey. Connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs in groups is like adding rocket fuel to your engine. Surrounding yourself with a tribe of fellow creators who've got your back keeps you in the game.

When you join a collaborative community, you're not just signing up for camaraderie. You're opening the door to a world of encouragement, feedback, and, most importantly, accountability.

These fellow creators will lift you up when you're feeling stuck, celebrate your wins. They'll keep you motivated and inspired every step of the way.

 

7 - Practice Self Compassion

 

A little self-compassion goes a long way. Time to give yourself a break and focus on progress over perfection. We all have those moments where things don't quite go according to plan, and it's easy to beat ourselves up about it.

But here's the thing: nobody, and I mean nobody, is perfect. So instead of being your own harshest critic, why not show yourself some kindness and understanding? By practising self-compassion, you'll bounce back from setbacks with grace and continue moving forward with unwavering confidence.

But even then it's all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to the big leagues. We see those glossy productions of thought leaders and suddenly we're feeling like we're not measuring up.

But here's the truth. Those productions have teams behind them—teams dedicated to perfect lighting, flawless set design, and everything in between.

But don't let that discourage you! Right here, right now, you have the power to achieve something truly remarkable in your videos.

 

8 - Be More Pro About Lighting And Sound 

 

Mastering the basics of lighting and sound is key to creating video content that gets you traction.

Good video light and clear sound can make all the difference in creating compelling content. Take a moment to understand how to properly light your space (it's surprisingly simple). Also pay attention to capturing great audio, and you'll be amazed at the transformation in your videos.

Sound is crucial to—people who don't know you won't tolerate poor audio for more than a few seconds.

Why is lighting such a game-changer? It's the secret sauce that can either make or break your video.

Picture this: you're sitting with a window (the brightest light source in your room) behind you. Instead of looking like a vision of wisdom and grace, you're a silhouette with your background glaringly bright. No one can make out your facial expressions against the glare of the background. Not exactly the vibe we're going for, right?

So here's the trick: we want that flattering light to wrap around us. Ensure that you're well-lit from all angles, with no harsh shadows in sight. So whether you're completely in the soft shade or facing a window, aim to bathe yourself in even, diffused light. It's the first step toward achieving that polished look without needing a team of experts behind the scenes.

Let's get real for a moment. You might not have a team but does that mean you're going to hold back?

Absolutely not my friend. You're going to dive right in, practice, and embrace the journey of improvement.

 

9 - Focus On Value

 

Instead of obsessing over perfection, let's put our energy into delivering value and building genuine connections with our audience. Because here's the truth. Once you've mastered the basics it's not about how flawless your videos appear; it's about the impact they have on those who watch them.

Share insights, solve problems, and build connections. When we prioritise value, everything else falls into place.

Who cares if every detail isn't picture-perfect? If there's a stray hair or your studio isn't magazine-worthy? What truly matters is the impact your content has on those who need it.

So let's anchor ourselves in that desire to help others, to make our videos about them, not us.

Focus on serving others. This extinguishes any lingering insecurities we may have about being on camera. This isn't about us anymore; it's about our message, our mission to make a difference.

Let's drown out that inner critic by embracing a mentality of support, assurance, confidence and service. When we approach video from a place of genuine support and confidence, there's no room for self-consciousness. Step into the spotlight with pride, knowing that our message is worth sharing. Know that we have the power to make a real difference in the lives of others.

 

10 - Make The Process Lighter

 

Let's bring some fun into creating content. Who says making videos has to be hard and serious?

Let your personality shine through. Throw in some humour if you like, crank up the tunes, and sprinkle in your brand or visual effects. Keep your viewer (and potential customer) entertained and engaged.

And here's a little reminder for us all: getting great on video means having a good time. So start enjoying the whole shebang—equipment, process, and all.

Sometimes fun can feel like a foreign concept, especially when we're constantly pushing ourselves to be better. But making video creation enjoyable is essential.

Let's find humour in our stage fright too.

Let's laugh off performance anxiety and recognise that we're all in this together. Stage fright might be a common foe, but it's no match for our sense of humour. So go ahead, chuckle at your jitters, and step confidently into that spotlight. After all, life's too short not to have a little fun along the way!

 

11 - Honour Your Own Timeline

 

No excuses allowed. Starting small is the default for us all. If you've never dipped your toes into video before, let me tell you, it gets easier with every try.

So let's kick things off with baby steps and focus on getting good at this. Begin with simple, bite-sized videos and commit to consistent practice. You could use material from your blog posts to get you started.

Remember, successful video creators aren't made in a day. Embrace the journey of gradual improvement, and trust that every tiny step forward brings you closer to mastery.

Now, here's the fun part: celebrating your progress. Every milestone, every improvement—big or small—deserves a round of applause. Take a moment to bask in the glow of your achievements and acknowledge just how far you've come on this video creation journey.

Have you hit a subscriber milestone, mastered a new editing trick, or feel more confident in front of the camera? Celebrate it all.

You've earned it. So go ahead, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for a job well done. You're on your way to video greatness.

 

Your Next Steps

 

With these 11 steps, you're well on your way to mastering the art of video content creation.

So go ahead, open your favourite social media platform and let your inner light shine bright! Remember, the world is waiting to hear your message, so don't hold back. Get out there!

Let me invite you to our new video confidence program. You'll learn how to create videos without the hassle (and headache).

 

Have a great week

xoxo Gwen