Best Practices for Creating Effective Employee Training Videos
Employee training can be time-consuming, particularly when the same information needs to be explained repeatedly…
Being in front of a camera can feel strange, particularly if you are not used to being filmed. Even confident people can suddenly forget what they were going to say, stare directly at the lens or become overly aware of what they are doing with their hands.
The good news is that you do not need to be a professional presenter to look comfortable on camera. A little preparation, some simple techniques and a few retakes can make a big difference.
Whether you are recording a marketing video, customer testimonial, training video or social media content, these tips can help you feel more relaxed and natural in front of the camera.
One of the easiest ways to become nervous on camera is to have no idea what you are going to say.
You do not necessarily need to memorise a complete script. In many cases, having a few key points written down is enough to keep you on track while allowing you to speak naturally.
Before filming starts, think about the main message you want people to remember. Once you know that, it becomes much easier to build the rest of your answers around it.
Try not to think of yourself as performing for a camera.
Instead, imagine that you are talking to one person who is genuinely interested in what you have to say. This can make your delivery feel much more natural and conversational.
If you are filming an interview, having someone just off camera asking questions can also make things considerably easier.
When people are nervous, they often speak much faster than they normally would.
There is no need to rush. Take a breath, pause between thoughts and give yourself time to consider what you are saying.
Pauses can also make your delivery easier to follow and give the editor useful points where the video can be cut.
Where you look during filming depends on the type of video you are making.
If you are speaking directly to the audience, looking towards the camera can create a strong sense of connection. If you are being interviewed, it will usually feel more natural to look at the person asking the questions rather than directly into the lens.
The important thing is to follow the direction you are given by the production team and avoid constantly looking around the room.
A surprisingly common concern when people are filmed is what to do with their hands.
There is no need to keep them completely still. Natural hand movements can actually make you appear more relaxed and engaged.
Try to avoid deliberately performing gestures, though. The best approach is usually to let your hands move naturally as they would during a normal conversation.
What you wear can have an impact on how confident you feel during filming.
Choose something comfortable that you would normally feel confident wearing. It is also worth avoiding clothing with very small patterns, which can sometimes create distracting effects on camera.
If you are representing a business, make sure your clothing fits with the style of the organisation and the type of video being produced.
Very few people deliver a perfect answer on their first attempt.
You might stumble over a word, lose your train of thought or realise halfway through an answer that you want to say something differently. This is completely normal.
That is what retakes are for. Stop, take a breath and start the answer again. You can always edit the footage afterwards.
Looking natural is important, but the technical quality of the video matters too.
Good lighting can make a huge difference to how you appear on screen, while clear audio makes it much easier for people to concentrate on what you are saying.
If you are recording your own video, think about where the light is coming from and avoid having a bright window directly behind you. For more important productions, professional lighting and microphones can help create a much more polished result.
A little practice can make you feel much more confident.
Run through your main points before the camera starts rolling, but try not to rehearse every word repeatedly. If you memorise everything too closely, your delivery can start to sound unnatural.
Instead, concentrate on remembering the key message and allow yourself to explain it in your own words.
Perhaps the most useful piece of advice is also the simplest.
People can usually tell when someone is trying too hard to appear confident or professional. You do not need to change your personality just because a camera is pointing at you.
Take a breath, forget about the camera as much as possible and concentrate on communicating your message. If you make a mistake, smile, reset and try again.
Not everyone enjoys being filmed, and that is perfectly normal.
There are plenty of ways to create useful video content without expecting someone to deliver a perfect presentation directly to camera. Interviews, demonstrations, voiceovers, screen recordings, customer stories and footage of people carrying out their normal work can all be effective.
For example, a customer testimonial can feel much more like a conversation than a formal presentation. You can read more about how to develop a story for a customer testimonial video if you are planning this type of content.
Looking natural on camera is mostly about preparation and getting comfortable with the process.
Know what you want to say, take your time, speak as though you are having a conversation and do not worry about making mistakes. With a few takes, most people become much more relaxed.
The aim is not to look like a professional actor. It is to communicate your message clearly while allowing your personality to come through.
