Public speaking usually strikes fear in the hearts of many who want to try it. And now that using video to market your business online gets hotter every day, that fear has now extended to speaking on video.
Sadly, many business owners, entrepreneurs, and experts never delve into video marketing simply because they're afraid they won't look good on camera, or that they won't appear professional. That's understandable, but being camera shy is no reason to miss out on the benefits you can get with online video.
If you decide you'd like to give public speaking on video a try here are a few tips for making sure you are effectively communicating your message on video:
1. Make Eye Contact: Wait... what? Aren't we talking about video with no live audience? Yep. Here's how you make direct eye contact when you're speaking on video: look directly at the lens. You've seen people looking slightly off camera or looking down reading their notes, right? It's unnerving for most viewers because when you appear on video, people feel like you are talking directly to them - because you ARE! We're taught it's rude not to make eye contact with someone you're talking to, so make that video eye contact and your viewers will be happy.
2. Be Concise: In most promotional message you don't have a lot of time. The media have trained us to look for information and get it quickly. Looking for an in-depth news story? That's likely 2-3 minutes on your nightly local news broadcast. Ads on TV are 30-60 seconds long, typically. Some online video ads produced by major national brands are even shorter at 15-20 seconds. You have to compete with all that, so make sure your message is tight. To get more information across, consider doing a series of shorter videos, rather than one long one.
3. Look the Part: Just because you work at home in your sweats does not mean you should appear on video that way. If you run any type of professional business, you'll need to look like a professional in your industry. That's not to say you need to appear in a suit in all your videos, but your appearance should match your professional message.
4. Have One Main Point: When you record a video, you should strive to communicate one main idea. Too many ideas, tips, actions or suggestions will leave your viewer confused. Have one MAIN idea and offer no more than 3-5 subpoints around your main idea.
5. Don't Use a Script: When you are shooting an informal video where you are giving a tip and talking directly to the viewer, you don't need to bother writing your video script word-for-word. Because you won't be repeating this information over and over again -- you don't have to you now have a video! -AND because having a script can actually make you more nervous - "I forgot how I wanted to say that line..." - it's easier to use a short outline. If you're following the above tips and keeping your information concise and presenting only one main point, as an expert it should be easy for you to stay focused. If you still feel nervous, write your subpoints on a sticky note and stick it to the camera just above the lens. Or use a note card. Glance at your notes both briefly and occasionally, while striving to maintain that eye contact with your viewer during most of the time you are speaking on your recording.
Public speaking is one of the most effective ways to market a small business. I invite you to discover how to create your own talk and the 5 easy steps you can take today to get started with this powerful marketing tool. Pick up a FREE recording where you'll get all the secrets of marketing your business with a speech. Go now to http://www.SignatureSpeechSecrets.com. Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed. is a communication consultant, speaker & coach specializing in training small and home-based business owners effective communication and public speaking skills so they can see more cash flow now.
By Felicia Slattery
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