Does public speaking give you the heebie-jeebies?
It’s totally understandable. Most people feel anxious whenever they’re asked to present in front of a live audience—even if said audience is 100% online.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to conquer this fear and exude confidence during your next webinar. In this post, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies you can use to manage your camera shyness and deliver an engaging, impactful presentation. Let’s get started!
Why People Feel Camera Shy
Webinars have become increasingly popular in recent times, as they provide an opportunity for people to learn and interact with others, without leaving the comfort of their homes.
However, many people are camera shy, making it difficult for them to engage their target audiences effectively. Sound familiar? Here are three reasons you might dislike being on camera. Once you identify the ones you struggle with, you can work to overcome them.
The Fear of Being Judged
Are you afraid of what other people think of you?
If you’re worried that you’ll say something wrong, or somehow look foolish during your next webinar, you’ll almost certainly deal with camera shyness.
For some, this fear is overwhelming. So much so, in fact, that it prevents them from ever hosting a webinar—even though they know, deep down, that it would benefit their business.
You need to remember that everyone makes mistakes. Webinars are a place to learn and grow, and nobody expects you to be perfect. Just focus on the value you can provide.
An Insecurity About Your Appearance
You might not care what other people think, but you’re really hard on yourself—especially when it comes to your appearance. These insecurities can be debilitating.
If your camera shyness stems from a complicated relationship with your reflection, you’re probably hesitant to produce webinars. After all, you’ll be on screen the whole time.
Fortunately, your thoughts and expertise are far more important than the way you look. Plus, most people won’t care about your appearance. They just want to hear what you say.
A Lack of Presentation Experience
Finally, some people are camera shy because they lack experience. This is perfectly normal. But I want to remind you that everyone starts somewhere—usually at the bottom.
You don’t need to be an expert presenter to succeed with webinars. You just need a bit of knowledge and the willingness to share it. Everything else will come in time.
10 Tips to Overcome Your Camera Shyness
Webinars are an important part of modern day communication. These 10 tips will give you the confidence you need to become less camera shy and create stellar webinar content.
Know Your Technology
First, familiarize yourself with the technology you’ll use to host your webinar.
This includes your camera, microphone, and software platform (AKA Zoom, ClickMeeting, etc.) Test each of them out to make sure you can operate them effectively. That way you’re not worried about tech failures while you’re trying to deliver your presentation.
Wondering which webinar platform is right for you? Try ClickMeeting! Our app is loved by tens of thousands of people in 125+ countries around the world. Why? Because it’s easy to use and loaded with features, like custom branding, screen sharing, polls and surveys, and more.
Sign up for a free 30-day trial of ClickMeeting to see it in action—no credit card required.
Create a Comfortable Environment
Next, focus on your environment. If you’re comfortable in the space that you’ll host your webinar from, you’ll feel more confident and experience less camera shyness.
The best webinar environments are quiet, well-lit spaces with enough room for everything you might need during your presentation, such as a laptop computer, notepad, and glass of water.
We suggest adding a few personal touches to your space, too. Your favorite photo, a potted plant… As long as it fits your brand and helps you feel more relaxed, go for it.
Dress for Success
Your wardrobe can also help banish camera shyness.
If you dress professionally, you’ll likely feel more confident and put together. If you dress comfortably, you’ll feel more relaxed. Choose an outfit that balances these two things.
Also, avoid wearing complicated patterns and/or excessively bright colors. These kinds of clothes will only serve to distract your audience and take the focus away from your message.
Use Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations can be a powerful tool for overcoming camera shyness.
Before you host a webinar, remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. You can even try writing, “I am confident and capable on camera,” on a piece of paper, too.
While this might seem like a simple (maybe even silly?) thing to do, it will help you shift your mindset from one of nervousness to one of confidence and positivity. Try it!
Visualize Success
Let’s piggyback off of the last tip: don’t just remind yourself of your accomplishments via positive affirmations, take time to visualize your future achievements as well.
Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you overcome anxiety. Before you step in front of the camera, close your eyes and “see” yourself delivering a successful presentation. Imagine yourself speaking confidently and engaging with your audience in effective ways.
There’s loads of scientific evidence that proves the power of visualization. Don’t write this tip off. We’re confident you’ll love the way it helps you overcome camera shyness.
Take Deep Breaths and Relax
Here’s a simple one for you: control your breathing.
Take deep breaths before your next webinar—in through your nose, out through your mouth. Doing so will relax your body and reduce your stress levels. Once you feel calm and centered, you’ll become more confident and be able to deliver a more engaging presentation.
And the more engaging your presentation is, the more confidence you’ll have during your next webinar. It’s a cycle that can be harnessed for your continued success.
Focus on Your Content, Not the Camera
Most people feel self-conscious when they’re on camera. It’s totally natural.
One of the best ways to overcome your self-conscious thoughts is to shift your focus away from yourself and onto the content you plan to deliver to your audience.
Remember, your webinar attendees are there to hear what you have to say, not to judge your appearance or performance. If they’re not going to concentrate on your presentation skills, why should you? Keep your message top of mind and your confidence will skyrocket.
Practice in Front of a Mirror
Last but certainly not least, practice your presentation in front of a mirror before you deliver it to a live audience. You know what? Practice it two or three or ten times!
This will give you a chance to see how you look on camera and make adjustments. For example, you might decide to eliminate certain facial expressions or improve your posture. You can then be confident that you’re giving the best presentation that you possibly can.
Practice will also help you gain a deeper knowledge of your material. This will give you confidence, too. After all, you’ll know exactly when and how you’ll deliver each of your points. And the more confidence you have, the less camera shy you’ll be. Win!
Wrapping Up
Camera shyness is common. Fortunately, you can overcome it with practice and preparation.
By following the tips in this article, such as getting to know your technology, creating a comfortable environment, and visualizing success, you’ll become more confident, which will help you feel more comfortable on screen and in front of your target audience.
Speaking of technology, have you tried ClickMeeting yet? Start your 30-day free trial now. Then start hosting world-class webinars that take your business to the next level!
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