Don't let these 3 tricks trip up your videos
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Famous in your field: 3 video mistakes to nix
Video… RULES!
Video blogs, website welcome messages, webinars.
Video IS the new black.
Don’t believe me? Check out these stats:
- 85% of the US internet audience watch video on the internet, according to NIELSEN.
- According to Forbes, 59% of executives would rather watch video than read text
- Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text (OMG! I hope you’re retaining this!!)
Video is the present and the future.
By 2016, 2/3rds of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video according to Cisco.
It is a wonderful way to get your message out to the most people who need you. Wherever they are in the world. That’s amazing power, my friend.
Video can increase your visibility, credibility, likeability and influence OR destroy them. Instantly.
Here are three common video mistakes that separate the winners from the clueless. They are SOOO easy to avoid once you know what to watch out for:
#3 MISTAKE: Relentless smiling
Should you smile? Absolutely! Should you smile constantly? Absolutely NOT!
Flash those pearly whites from time to time but please, oh please do not paste a smile on your face and leave it there the whole time. You will look fake and… creepy.
Don’t over think it. You should look at the camera the same way you would look at someone sitting across the table from you – with interest. Your audience on the other side of the lens wants to meet you or else they wouldn’t be…there!
After all, there are so many cat videos and so little time in the day. The fact that they’re joining your webcast is a HUGE indication they want what you’re sharing. Know what that means? You 1-Cats 0.
#2 MISTAKE: Swiveling, rocking, swaying to and fro…
Yep, I’ve said it before (in this post) but it’s my number one pet peeve and it is still a HUGE problem on cyber TV. So for the love of Pete, SIT STILL!
We’re creatures of habit. You may not even realize that you ALWAYS swivel when you’re sitting in your office chair talking on the phone. The stakes are higher when you’re on camera, beaming into your ideal client’s home or office, so please, please, please make sure you’re seated in a swivel-free chair when the camera is on.
#1 MISTAKE: Looking at the screen
I can hear your thoughts as you read this: “Wait! Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”
Uh… no! Not unless your whole computer screen is a camera. (Which it could be so in that case, keep up the good work!) BUT if you’re like most people and use the built in camera or a web cam attached to your computer monitor, then the answer for you is NO.
You should be looking at that tiny dot (usually a little green or red light) at the top of your computer screen, or the webcam lens. It feels very odd and unnatural, I know. Especially when you’re talking one-on-one with someone like on Skype.
You can see them so you look at them but… you’re really looking at the screen. Oddly enough, in order for you to look natural – like you’re looking at the people on the other side – you have to look into that tiny, vacant lens. Check out the difference in these photos:
Famous in Your Field DON’T: looking at your screen looks weird
Famous in Your Field DO: look at your camera lens
Looking into the camera lens makes the video feel natural and engaging, right?
Your Fame Boosting Assignment:
This week, record a practice video that’s two minutes or less. Don’t sweat it – this is just for fun, so that you can get rid of any wicked webcam habits. Use Google Hangouts or your own computer software. You got this!
I’m guilty of #2 all the time! Thanks for the reminder. I have to sit on my hands when I make videos!! xo
I’m SO with you on the “constant smiling is creepy” comment. Ick.
As for #3, that’s a tough one for me. If I’m really concerned about looking at the screen, I just prop an opaque piece of paper or a manila folder over it. That way there’s really nothing to see, and it’s easier for me to focus on Mr. Red Light.
*Thanks* for the reminders, Lori. I’m always grateful when people have ideas that can save me from myself. 🙂
Hahahahahahaha! #2 is the EXACT reason why I forced myself behind a desk when I shot my first 3 ( and only so far ) videos! Because I would be ALL over the place. Please… Do not come see me talk!
Wow, this stat surprised me: Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to 10% when reading it in text. I had no idea! That’s HUGE!
Great tips, especially #3. It drives me crazy to watch videos where the person featured isn’t looking at me but slightly down at their screen. Or at their notes. It’s like talking to someone who can’t make eye contact. Creepy.
Oh, the swaying, rocking and shifting… SUCH a hard habit to break. I didn’t realize I moved around so much when I’m speaking! Great tips here. I’m going to pin this list somwhere I can see it so before I shoot they are top of mind!
I must be the oddball one, cause I hate watching video and would rather read text….imagine that! Guess I will be obsolete by 2016.
Great tips nonetheless. It never occurred to me that looking at the correspondents face is not suitable. I do think that, particularly if it is a live interchange and not just video, that seeing their facial reactions is needed as well.
Great tips Lori – I am sharing these now – appreciate you!
Excellent tips. I also believe that if you are looking down into your webcam on your laptop that is angled back it gives the watcher of the video the sense that you are looking down at them. You never want to do this!
Guess it’s time for me to start making videos ~ Lori!!
This is amazing! The stats on video reach, conversion and retention is like whoa! I’m so glad I’ve been doing video for over a year. I’m now totally comfortable with myself on camera. Glad to hear other people agree with not smiling all the time because I just act natural, i.e. don’t smile the whole time. Ha ha! Thank you!
Thanks for those video stats! I switched my blog over to video 3 months ago. It’s more work, but I think it’s engaging my audience more than straight articles do. Plus, the added SEO boost from YouTube doesn’t hurt either.
Don’t let these 3 tricks trip up your videos…
Video is the present and the future. By 2016, 2/3rds of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video according to Cisco. It is a wonderful way to get your message out to the most people who need you. Wherever they are in the world. That’s amazing powe…