Unless you’re new to social media, or the internet, you’ve probably noticed a lot more video content popping up. With the rise of Tik Tok, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have had to adapt their strategy to prioritise video content over static posts and photos. Even Pinterest has adjusted its once photo-exclusive feed to include videos.
Video content doesn’t just help you keep up with the ever-changing algorithm, it’s an opportunity for your audience to get to know you while promoting your books. In this article, we’ll share our top tips for creating and showing up confidently on video!
How to consistently create and show up on video
Creating videos doesn’t have to be scary, complicated or time-consuming. It’s also not something you have to do every day. Here are some things we do at The Daring Press to ensure we regularly show our faces on video.
- Brainstorm ideas – once a week, we sit down and think about a few topics we want to discuss with our audience. It’s usually something around marketing, behind the scenes of business or tips on finding your best social platform to attract your dream audience.
- Choose a prefered video format – getting in front of your audience might look like using stories, reels, youtube videos or Tik Tik. Try a few different options and see which ones you enjoy. Once you find 1-2 video formats you like, just focus on them. We prefer pre-recorded reels and spontaneous ‘off-the-cuff’ stories.
- Batch content – You’re not going to feel like being in front of the camera every day, and that’s ok. You’re human. We recommend setting aside time once or twice a week to create a batch of content you can share over the following weeks. Use your brainstormed ideas and create a brief outline to know what you’re recording.
- Use scheduling software – If you’re forgetful or love to be super organised, you can schedule pre-recorded videos. That way, you’ll never miss a post and stay consistent.
How To Increase Video Confidence in 5 Steps
- Consider Your Setup
Even if you don’t feel super confident, you can trick the audience into thinking you are with a strategic setup. Find somewhere that you’ll feel comfortable. Whether you’re sitting at your desk, standing by a wall or in bed, you do you. If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive filming equipment. A simple tripod and smartphone will do the trick. But to get the best video from your setup, think about the lighting, angle and sound. Is there somewhere you can film with soft natural light? Can you place the camera at least a metre away from your face, and have you tried your best to reduce background noise?
- Know Your Strengths
When you first start creating video content, stick to what you know. You may already feel a bit nervous and uncomfortable, so don’t start your video career talking about something you’re not confident with. If you’re new to creating videos and feel scared, our tip is to start by introducing yourself. Let your audience know who you are, what you like and why you love doing what you do!
- Write a Script (to start with)
One of the most common things that make us nervous or stops us from showing up on video is that we’re afraid we’ll make a mistake. If this sounds like you, start off by creating a script of what you want to say. It could just be a few dot points! It can be time-consuming, but as you feel more familiar with showing up on camera, you’ll find you can record easily without a script.
- Practice practice practice
Like anything, the more you practice, the easier it will get. And it’s no different for creating and showing up confidently on video. You may prefer to pre-record your videos, allowing you to do as many takes as you need until you get a video you’re happy to share. Remember you’ll probably make a few mistakes early on, but as you get more familiar with the process creating and recording videos will become quick, easy and fun!
- Just be yourself
It might sound like a bit cliche, but be yourself. If you’re comparing yourself to others or constantly striving for perfection, you’re more likely to feel nervous and less confident. It’s important to remember that people prefer a raw, unfiltered and authentic version of you. They want the real you, so give the people what they want.
Why it’s important to show up confidently
There are many reasons to show up confident on video, especially on social media. In the competitive world of social media, if a follower doesn’t believe you know what you’re talking about, they may go elsewhere. But the most important reason is you’re the only one who does what you do because you’re the only YOU.
So even if you don’t feel confident at first, it is something that will develop with time. Not everyone will like what you have to say or how you say it, but the people who stick around to listen to you are the audience you want! The ones who will support you no matter what. Our tip is to remember you’re the only you will know what makes you feel confident on video, so do that!
Final thoughts
If you’re not using video content in your marketing mix, you may be left behind. Start today. Grab your smartphone and record a video, just for yourself. If you want to learn more about how to become confident in videos or learn how to promote your books book a 90-minute intensive 1:1 strategy call.