Why is it SO hard to love ourselves on camera?
It’s the New Year and many of us are feverishly visualizing our goals for the year ahead. I decided to start with a really fundamental but elusive goal – to finally get control of my anxiety of being on camera so I could feel more confident and effective on video, and just about everywhere in life.
I want to touch on
Why getting out there on video is so important for you and your business.
How to recognize your fears for what they are – and ways to overcome them.
The actual science behind why we don’t like to see ourselves on camera.
How to be the best “character” you can be – and enjoy the process more.
Tips for loving your voice too.
If you are a solopreneur or independent business owner, you already know about the importance of using engaging videos to promote yourself and your business. But if you need a quick refresher on why here are just a few eye-opening statistics:
There are over 122 million YouTube users and they watch a billion hours of video every day on Youtube.
85% of people surveyed by Biteable said they prefer to buy a product or service after watching a video.
People retain 95% of a message in video versus 10% of the same message viewed in an email or print piece.
These are pretty impressive statistics, and according to all predictions, the importance of image and video is only going to grow in the next years.
Even if you recognize the huge impact of video for websites and social media, for some of us there’s that very real issue of FEAR. The fear that we, and others, won’t like the way we look or sound when we are in front of a camera. That goal-squashing fear of scrutiny and worse - REJECTION.
But there’s actually some very real science behind why we don’t love ourselves on camera. It’s called Confirmation Bias and there’s a lot of information out there about how it affects us. Here’s a simple explanation.
According to an article from Wistia, Confirmation Bias is our tendency to search for information that backs up our previously held beliefs. We want to be right, so we look for all the information out there that is going to back up our thoughts.”
If you think that you’re just not photogenic, or your face is not symmetrical (and very few are), you’ll be looking for proof of this every time you see a photo or video of yourself. You will want to confirm your belief. Even if you have a lot of great feedback to the contrary.
Your memory for feedback is also dependent on confirmation bias. If one person mentions that your face looked shiny on your latest video, you’ll remember that. If ten people say you looked great, you’ll forget about them.
You are the only one who thinks your reflection is weird. Remember you are the one used to looking at your “mirror self”. Everyone else has been looking at the “real you”. Here are some simple ideas to remember.
Refocus your attention. Whenever you feel that anxiety creeping in, try to focus on something else. For example, if you’re introducing yourself to a new team at work, or just a new social group, focus on what impression you want to make. What do you want people to remember about you? What message do you want to leave them with?
People are not focusing on you as much as you think! We are all listening for what’s in it for me? Remember what actors do – they focus on the character they are playing. Concentrate on yourself as a “character” and then you can get away from the fearful you.
When you need it – look for help! You don’t have to do everything yourself. Seek out the pros if you really need some expert advice.
When it’s time for a special shoot to showcase you and your work, choose a photographer you love, and who has many happy clients. Then work with them to achieve the looks you want.
For video, you may also want to work with a professional the first time around. OR you can create your own fabulous videos for business, social media, or just fun. Today’s newer phones have powerful cameras for shooting video so give it a try. There are thousands of videos online about shooting your own best videos.
Now What About Your Voice? I know we’re talking about image, but hey, your voice makes you memorable as well.
Have you ever listened to yourself on a recording and thought whoa – I didn’t know I sounded like that? I know I have. We ALL sound different than we think. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing – just different. So the first time you hear yourself on video or a podcast, take a few deep breaths and then decide what you LOVE about your voice – because there are things to love, you’re just not thinking about your voice in that way yet.
When you pay attention to your voice, it’s a chance to see if you want to make adjustments. You don’t have to, you may want to, that’s all. It can be fun to adjust your tone, accent, or pace when you are making a video or speaking to a live audience.
Remember to pause too. Dramatic pauses can make a difference in how your audience absorbs information and holds their attention. Practice different tactics and see what you like.
Learning to accept yourself, and even revel in who you are, is a tough, lifelong journey. Even the most enviably successful folks have their own insecurities. Some people never learn the secret to embracing themselves and who they are. But there are many ways to practice, to grow, and to find real joy in being all that is YOU.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with a friend. And for more easy-to-use tips on finding your personal story and getting more comfortable on camera, check out https://fromstorytomarket.com