From Camera Shy To Camera Confident How To Look & Sound Natural on Camera 🎥

The secret to better quality video isn’t about spending more money, it’s about using what’s already in your hand aka your phone 😀

In a recent LinkedIn LoveIn Live, I was joined by videographer Laura Yoxall, who shared her top tips on creating simple, effective video content for LinkedIn that builds trust, sparks conversations and gets you noticed. Perfect if you’ve been meaning to “do video” but it keeps slipping down the to-do list!

We all know we should be using more video in our marketing. It grabs attention, tells stories, builds trust and it’s five times more likely to spark a conversation on LinkedIn than any other type of post.

And yet, so many of us still don’t do it. Including me!!!  If you’re anything like me you’ll overthink it, procrastinate and then talk yourself out of it!

So I was delighted that Laura Yoxall, commercial videographer and founder of LY Video, joined me on a recent LinkedIn LoveIn Live to solve three of the most common video problems business owners face:

1. How to create great quality videos using what you already have
2. How to come across more authentic and natural on camera
3. Video ideas you can try straight away

Watch The LinkedIn LoveIn Live With Laura Yoxall . . .

Below is a run down of Laura’s key takeaways or watch the replay in full either here on LinkedIn or click the image to watch on YouTube.

1. You don’t need fancy kit to make great video.

Laura starts with explaining we don’t need fancy kit to make great video. All you need is your smartphones and a tripod to free up your hands.

The recommendation is to step back from the camera to frame your head and shoulders into the shot for a more natural feel.

Laura also suggested using the back camera and not the selfie camera as the lens is higher quality. I did have a play with this and must admit I’ve struggled with it, so perhaps its better to have someone filming you if you want to use the back camera.

2. Test before you shoot!

Oh yes, this is an important thing to do and something I always forget! I will do a video and then think ‘oh no!’ did it capture the sound because I forgot to check first 🤦♀️ so Laura’s tip of recording a short clip to check framing, lighting, sound and background is definitely sound advice!

And remember, not every video needs to look like a polished production. On LinkedIn, DIY videos often perform better because they feel real and relatable.

3. It’s Not About Confidence, It’s About Comfort.

I loved the point Laura made about the fact you may never feel 100% confident on camera. Instead its about feeling comfortable enough to show up.

Smiling of course helps. Laura said that smiling changes your tone so you sound more engaging and approachable. I also smile when pressing play so the video captures me smiling at the start of the video, so that first that first ‘shot’ of you is you smiling and not pulling a funny face 😂

Practise makes perfect doesn’t it! The more you do it the more you will get better at it. Laura challenged us to just talk to the camera for two minutes about anything, your lunch, the weather or a project and then delete it to help improve your confidence or comfort levels of using video.

Remember . . . Don’t chase perfection! Think done is better than perfect.

4. Easy Video Ideas You Can Try Today

The other big barrier for most people is not knowing what to say. Laura shared some simple video ideas you can start with straight away:

💡Answer FAQs: Pick a common client question and answer it in a short video.

💡Shout someone out: Celebrate a client, collaborator or partner. It’s generous and often boosts engagement.

💡Awareness Days: Tie your content to relevant dates (for example Yorkshire Day or International Cat Day) for easy, timely videos. I did one for World hearing day

💡 Behind-the-scenes: Show a glimpse of your day, a project you’re working on or a sneak peek of what’s coming.

Final Thought: Just Start!

If there’s one thing Laura made crystal clear, it’s this: the only way to get better at video is to do more video.

⛔ You don’t need a studio.

⛔ You don’t need expensive gear.

⛔ And you definitely don’t need to feel ready.

✅ You just need to press record . . . (and smile 😃)

Over to you – what’s stopping you from posting more video on LinkedIn?

At the end of the day, creating video content isn’t about perfection. The more you practise, the more natural it feels, and the more your audience gets to know the real person behind the business. Don’t wait to feel “ready” just start and remember done is better than perfect!

Trying picking one of Laura’s tips, record a short video this week, and see what happens OR give Laura’s daily two-minute challenge a go and tag us in your first video. We’d love to cheer you on!

Need more support with LinkedIn?

💥 If LinkedIn isn’t working hard for you or you’re not sure where to start with using LinkedIn, email judy@judithparsons.comor connect with me on LinkedIn to chat about how I can help.

Or book a virtual brew here and let’s make LinkedIn work for you . . . ⭐

I run regular LinkedIn LoveIns which are short 30-minute learnings over lunch, often with guest experts to help improve LinkedIn results. If you’d like to be notified of new events why not join my LinkedIn LoveIn group. You can also find the recordings of previous LoveIns as well as tips and updates here.