How to Find Your Comfort Zone on Camera

We are born completly helpless. Benjamin Franklin once said, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” If you are a content creator (e.g., writer, podcaster, blogger, social media influencer, etc.), using video to grow your brand and connect with your audience isn’t optional. It is a MUST! 

To find your comfort zone on camera, you have to identify what is making you feel uncomfortable. As a coach, these are some answers I hear over and over again: 

• “I don’t know what to say” 
• “I am not good on camera. I am a better writer.”
• “I hate how I look on camera” 
• “I forget what I want to say and I start to ramble” 

Guess what? Human beings can rationalize ANYTHING! And, there are a MILLION reasons you can come with to justify staying off camera. As Les Brown says, “If you want to grow and develop yourself, embrace failure. If you want to become the best at what you do, you’ve got to be willing to fail, again and again. And then finally, one day, you can fail your way to greatness.” 

It’s easier to be comfortable on camera, if you keep the following in mind when getting dressed:  

• Incorportate colors that you LOVE  
• Pick a style that flatters your body type
• Be purposeful with the look you want to curate for the camera 
• Utilize fashion resources to help you design outfits for your personality and wallet
• Remember there are NO fashion rules other than the ones you create 

You NEVER control what other people think, say or do. But, you do control what you think, say, or do. Being on camera, doesn’t change this fact of life. If people don’t like what you have to say, they will stop watching the video. If people want to hear you out, they will join your “fan club”. Focus, on the message you want to get across, and leave the rest with the universe. 

Zig Ziglar once said, “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” It’s okay to be uncomfortable on camera. It means you are a human being. But, if you want to find your comfort zone on camera, you have to actually DO SOMETHING to change your comfort levels. Here are weekly tips to help level up your game: 

• Video chat with your friends, family, and co-workers whenever possible 
• Prepare talking points to practice before every filmed event 
• Schedule live-streaminbg events for yourself  
• Pitch to be a guest on other platform’s  (especially live-streaming events) 

Must I say anymore? Everytime you make an excuse, that is an intentional choice. You can do better! 

Someone is ALWAYS going to be better or worse than you at something in life. Stop wasting time focused on what other people are doing. Focus on your work, skills, and the message you want share! 

If you want to improve how you perform on the camera, you have to be HUNGRY enough to do something about it. What are you reading, watching, or listening to improve your speaking abilities?