Can we be honest? Video is scary.
When I first started making videos for my courses, I wanted everything to be PERFECT! I wanted the lighting to be perfect, the scripting perfect, the way I said each sentence and word – PERFECT.
And do you know what happened?
I didn’t put out a video for MONTHS! MONTHS!
I was so tripped up in my own perfectionism that I wasn’t serving you. I wasn’t coaching you unless you happened to be face to face with me. I wasn’t helping you. I wasn’t encouraging you.
My first course, Branding Is Personal, should have been ready to launch at least 12 months before I actually got over myself and recorded it.
Feature films coming out of Hollywood take 12 months. Not a 5 video course!
I wasn’t held up by the technology of it. I wasn’t even held up by the content. I knew I could just use my iPhone to record it and I could use iMovie to edit it. I already had my course scripted out and the workbook created.
As a novice video creator, I couldn’t get past being perfect on camera!
I bet you can relate.
I get it.
You want your clients to get the best version of you. The confident, put together, “give it her all” YOU!
But, you know what? That’s not exactly what your customers want.
Your customers want the real you. The normal every day relatable you. The women they can sit and have coffee with (or for me it is an energy tea) and hash out their hangups.
They want the YOU that is authentic and courageous. Vulnerable even.
And if you are waiting for PERFECT, you will never get in front of her.
So today, right now, I want you to make a decision to show up. Just as you are!
Show up with the confidence that you know your stuff and you have the courage of the Creator to stand on as you take your message (His message) to the world!
When the thought strikes, finger comb those frizzes and turn on that camera! Share it while it is fresh and the Holy Spirit flow is happening!
That may be in your office with the nice background and the ring light perfectly placed. But, it may not.
It may be in the grocery store parking lot or the car line while you are picking your kids up. Just make sure you aren’t moving in that car line!!!
Whenever and wherever it is, let your message flow out!
And here are my top 5 tips that I have learned along the way that will help you out – no matter where the inspiration strikes!
5 Tips for the Novice Video Creator
- You don't need an expensive camera! Your iPhone or Android camera are perfect.
- You need a microphone, but it doesn't have to be expensive, either. Your iPhone headphones or an inexpensive clip on lavaliere mic from Amazon is great!
- Ladies, watch your jewelry! Large earrings that may hit against your Air Pod mic or bracelets that clang against your desk will be jarring to your listener.
- Be aware of background noise. Your air conditioner, the dishwasher, the dog or even the toilet flushing in the background could get picked up by your mic.
- Keep editing simple. I use iMovie on my Mac. It is super simple to use. You want to remove long pauses, runaway trains with your thoughts, and coughs, sniffles, and the barking dog! But, you don't have to make it PERFECT! Please don't. This editing is more for big blunders and to shorten the overall video length.
- BONUS TIP #6 - Use notes! I wouldn't totally script it out, but definitely have a bullet list of what you want to cover or at least a few key phrases. AND, it is TOTALLY OK if you look at your notes!
I go into a little more detail about each in this Facebook Live.
You are going to be nervous the first few times your record a video. I highly suggest that you practice with your iPhone several times so you can go back and watch yourself.
Listen for the background noise. Test your lighting. Test your mic.
Test the angle of the video and your background. You don’t want to have a lot of clutter in the background (especially unmade beds, a pile of laundry, or your refrigerator full of magnets from vacation and your daughter’s school drawings from 3 years ago).
Again, this isn’t to achieve perfection. It is simply to keep your audience focused on YOU and not your surroundings!
With these tips and a little practice, you will be cranking out videos for your clients like a BOSS!
My mission is to encourage women to trust in themselves in life and in business. With love and faith I lead women business owners to find freedom in their God-given identity so they can live out their purpose with confidence. By helping you set expectations that lead to action, your dreams become a reality!
Stephanie Ferrara
Coach, Speaker, Freedom Fighter
P.S. Be sure to join my free online community! It is a safe place for women just like you who are ready to bravely break through barriers so you can connect with your soulfully authentic self for success in life and business. It’s free. Join Here
