Are you making these 3 wicked awful webcam mistakes?
Welcome to Famous in Your Field! Here’s your free weekly tip to boost your fame factor. (Be sure to sign up in the box on the right to get on the VIP list for free tips and training, delivered straight to your inbox.)
Extreme close up alert! Famous in your field tip: when you’re on a webcam, frame it up!
The web offers so many opportunities to connect with reporters, clients, publishers, and of course, fans! More and more you’re “meeting” people face to face via your webcamera.
Skype, Google Hangouts, Ustream and video webinars let you share your message and spread your fame no matter where you are.
But, with technology comes great responsibility! Next time you sit in front of your adoring public, follow these simple DOs so you DON’T make wicked webcam mistakes.
1. Stop SWIVELING
There’s no sniveling in business and definitely no swiveling! This is a must whether you are on camera or in person. 99.9% of the population of the world will swivel if seated in a swivel chair. It is comforting to rock yourself from side to side. It’s an unconscious reflex but on camera it’s deadly. How sinister is a little swiv?
- You may cause motion sickness for your viewer!
- You’re drawing your viewer’s attention to your movement and away from your message! Distraction disaster. Unless you’re a mime, avoid this.
- You look nervous and unsure (even if you aren’t.)
2. Eliminate Background Noise
Get rid of the background noise so they can hear you and focus on the brilliance you’re unleashing! Be aware of what is appearing behind you when you’re on camera. Is it…
- Your messy bookcase?
- 1,000 sticky notes with your To-Dos scribbled on them?
- Your cat Lucky, “grooming” those hard to reach places?
I’ve actually seen these things and worse. But YOU can save yourself from these background blunders. Turn down the noise by turning on your webcam and focusing on what you see behind you. Check before you invite a world of important people in for a chat.
3. Frame it up
Once you check out what’s behind you, look at what’s directly in front of your viewers. Here are some camera angle DOs!
- Get out of my FACE! Being too close to the camera will fill your viewers’ screens with an EXTREME close up of your face. This is actually an aggressive camera angle. Your viewers will feel like you’re invading their personal space. It’s like someone leans across a table to tell you off or give you a big smooch. UNcomfortable.
- Beware your chinnie, chin, chin! If you’ve got your camera lower than eye level your audience is looking up at you. This can make you look like you have 3 chins. Unless you’re a Shar-pei, I bet you don’t. (If you are an email-reading Shar-pei please contact me immediately!)
- Avoid being nosey! The other mistake is setting your camera level too high above eye level. For gals that could mean a cleavage shot. Even if that’s not an issue, your viewers will be looking right up your ‘ole double barrels – err, nostrils. Really, TMN (Too much nose).
Your webcam is your way to reach the WORLD with your message and your brand. Remember, even though you’re staring into a tiny dot there are real people on the other side of it! You wanna bring your very best to the stage no matter how big or small.
Your Fame Boosting Assignment:
This week, set up a superquick webcam meeting with a business friend. Have your partner point out any wicked awful webcam mistakes you might be perpetrating. Like Oprah says, once you know better, you’ll do better.
Now, get out there and carpe the hell out of this diem!
Great tips Lori! I’ve started doing more videos lately and I have become more conscious of my surroundings including what’s in the frame. I love the “get out of my face” tip, some people zoom in entirely too close to the camera.
Lori, your article just made me laugh and I just had to share! My workspace in my office is neat and beautiful but the walls – not so much. It’s a room that I share with my family and on the walls behind me are some of my husband’s framed posters. Here’s one for you that people say, “WHAT IS THAT?!?” http://www.reel35.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/AS2-Venom-2.jpg
Yep. I’m taking it down. Forget painting and reorganizing. The picture will go today 🙂
Janet
That’s hilarious, Janet. I think I noticed the colorful artwork when we’ve had video chats:).
Great stuff! Especially that camera angle tip. I always position my camera slightly higher than eye level cuz that triple chin look is baaaaad!
Right! I even distract myself during Google Hangouts when I have a bad camera angle.
I finally committed to doing a video before the end of the calendar year to put on my home page! (Gulp) . I’ll have to bookmark this for referencing! Always stellar content Lori! You sooooo Rock!
Yes, yes, Kelly! You were made for video! (Channel Marie when you do it – sassy and straight talking.)
Lori – I just love your stuff! You offer high quality info in all your posts, plus your wonderful sense of humor. This one is extremely timely for me as I’ll be switching my blogs to vlogs beginning in October, so I’m already gearing up for it. Thanks for the specifics.
I’m so thrilled that you get value from these posts, Alyssa. You’ve made my week.
And please Cena, Stop moving your hands so much ferghadsake!! Thank you Lori for these tips…. I’m getting better with each video but it is fun to laugh at the oldies but goodies!!
OK, how about bouncing – is that distracting? 🙂
So many small things to think about, but SO important. I am surprised how much I notice some of these things when I watch other people’s videos, and it really does make a big difference in how I perceive the people in the videos. Thank you for the comprehensive list – now I know all the little things to watch for!
Me, too. I’m particularly distracted by the people who include themselves starting the camera at the beginning. Just chop it off in YouTube!
This is great Lori!
I do a lot of videos, and although I’m comfortable with it now, I had real trouble getting all those things right to begin with! Thanks so much for laying it out so clearly.
Your videos are stellar, Sarada. I always smile when I watch them.
I love this! I am filming videos for my online Fertility in Bloom Program and will definitely put this timely advice to good use. Thank you for sharing.
Right on time!
Are you making these 3 wicked awful webcam mistakes?…
The web offers so many opportunities to connect with reporters, clients, publishers, and of course, fans! More and more you’re “meeting” people face to face via your webcamera. Skype, Google Hangouts, Ustream and video webinars let you share your messa…
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