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It’s the age of video. Fellow introverts, beware!
Just kidding. Not all introverts are scared of being on camera. But as an introvert/enneagram 5, I have to tell you video is downright scary for me.
The same crippling thoughts seem to run through my head every time I sit down to film something. I don’t know what to say.. I come across as awkward.. I don’t know where to look.. I hate the sound of my voice.. I don’t know what to do with my hands.. yada yada yada..
This is rather inconvenient in 2019. Take for example, how social media platforms have made a huge push towards video. What would Instagram be without stories? Not to mention Snapchat. Tiktok. Marco Polo. Even Pinterest is encouraging video pins now!
The point is: video is thrust upon us whether we like it or not — both as a way to communicate with our friends & family– and as a way to market our personal brands and small businesses. So if you’re camera shy, what do you do about video content?
Why You Need Video Marketing
You may be wondering why video even matters.
Of course if you don’t have anything to market and don’t want to make videos- you’re welcome to move on with your life! I’m guessing that’s not why you’re here, though.
I bet you’re here because you want to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, explore a new hobby, or figure out how you can reach potential clients through video marketing without having to show your face.
Like many before you, you’ve realized the impact video marketing has and you need to find a way to harness that power for yourself. And let’s be honest- humans love video! Why?
Video is easy to digest, it’s entertaining, it’s engaging, it’s educational- and for marketers- it has a huge return on investment.
Even if you don’t have a physical product or service to market, maybe you want to market yourself by sharing your skills or passions with others. And news flash, bloggers: you’re not off the hook. I know you pride yourself on your written communication skills, but it’s time to get outside your comfort zone and grow your brand/engagement with video!
How to Overcome Your Fear of Video
The good news is you can do this! I know because I’ve done it. I was scared to death, but I started a Youtube Channel.. a big move for an introvert/enneagram 5.
One of the things that helped me to put myself out there with video is a book that I can’t recommend highly enough: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
If you’re ready to start tackling some of your fears- and I’m assuming if you’re reading this article –one of those fears is being on video- then definitely get yourself a copy!
The book explores the idea of growth mindset versus fixed mindset, and how having the latter might be keeping you from achieving success– whether it’s not being good at video or earning six figures (yeah, seriously).
You may have heard the term growth mindset many times- I sure had. But I didn’t fully grasp what it meant nor it’s power to transform my thinking (and therefore, my life) until I read the book. I even talk about it in my first Youtube video I ever uploaded.
5 Video Ideas If You Hate Being On Camera
Ok, so now that you’re (hopefully) in the right mindset, I’ll let you in on a little secret: you can make great videos without actually showing yourself.
*Cue the Hallelujah Chorus*
I mean- I still think it’d be great if you showed us all your gorgeous self in a video, but I understand that it’s a process. And you don’t have to rush it! While you ease yourself in, try one of these 5 Video Ideas for People Who Hate Being On Camera.
Video Idea If You Hate Being On Camera #1:
Screen Recording With Voice-Over
The main focus of my blog is DIY Graphic Design Tutorials, so I use screen recordings frequently to show people exactly what actions I’m taking in Photoshop and Illustrator. Instead of seeing me, my audience sees Photoshop. They hear my voice (without seeing my face) as I walk them step-by-step through a process.
This is a great way to ease into video, since it #1) doesn’t require you to show your face, and #2) can be accomplished with free software.
You might think screen recorded videos or voice-over are above your technical skill, but I can assure you they are not! I use Quicktime Player-which is an application preinstalled on apple computers- to record both my computer screen and my audio.
I took it a step further and bought myself an inexpensive microphone to improve my sound quality, but you don’t even need one to record the audio. You can record it through your computer’s speakers– just make sure the room is quiet!
Here’s an example of a video I made using screen recording: Chevron Tutorial Illustrator
Video Idea If You Hate Being On Camera #2:
Time Lapse or Stop Motion
When you think of a timelapse video, your mind might envision a sped-up sunrise or sunset, or a video that takes a looooooong time to record.
But here’s another idea of a timelapse: recipe videos! If you think about it – when you watch someone take a bunch of ingredients and turn them into a pan of brownies in 30 seconds– that’s a timelapse, too. Food bloggers use this style of video all the time. Like in this Tasty Video: 43 Easy 3 Ingredient Recipes
Stop Motion is another fun way to showcase your creativity through video. You don’t have to make a full-length claymation movie à la Tim Burton. You can use any medium, like clothing or makeup or even colored pencils. Check out Creativity – Stop Motion by Wayaba Filmmakers to get inspired.
Video Idea If You Hate Being On Camera #3:
Drawing/Painting/Baking/Crafting Tutorial
If you’re not worried about showing your hands and arms, then a crafting tutorial is another great way to make a video when you’re feeling a little camera shy.
I see this style of video used a lot by lettering artists on Instagram (I watch a lot of lettering videos!), but I’ve also used this method to film my own knitting videos.
The trickiest part is getting your camera set up at the right angle. You’ll likely have to invest in some good equipment to help you get the camera overhead first. Then start drawing, or lettering, knitting, crafting… do whatever you do! Your audience will love the hands on learning experience.
As an example, check out my How to Knit series.
Video Idea If You Are Camera Shy #4:
Record Your Powerpoint/Keynote Presentation
This is such a great hack I can’t believe I never thought to do this until I saw someone else do it first! Make a Powerpoint or Keynote presentation, then export it as a video— or screen record yourself presenting the slideshow.
You can share photos, text, and graphics with your audience to get your point across without ever showing your face.
I think this idea is especially great for bloggers, because if you have a bunch of blog posts written, then half the work is already done for you. Just translate your blog post into a slideshow, and voila! You’re producing awesome video content.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have Powerpoint or Keynote – you can use Google Slides, which is available FREE in Google Drive to create a slideshow.
This Video by Think Media on Youtube isn’t 100% a slideshow, but slides are inserted throughout the video to make illustrations and drive home the main points. I see Think Media do this all the time, and that’s where I first got the idea.
Video Idea If You Are Camera Shy #5:
Unboxing Video
Unboxing videos are a super popular niche on Youtube, but I understand this one may not apply to all of us.
If you’re looking to break into Youtube, though– consider making a channel where all you do is unbox a particular type of item in all it’s various forms- over and over again. It almost seems too easy, doesn’t it?
You can unbox the hottest makeup like Kylie’s lip kits. Or FabFitFun boxes, new product releases, even kids toys.. this niche has just about anything & everything you can think of. And I’ll admit- sometimes it gets a little bit weird.
Check out this Barbie Unboxing Video. I think you’ll understand what I mean about the weird factor.. but it’s clearly working, so no hate!
And there you have it: 5 video ideas for people who hate being on camera.
If you enjoyed this article and want to share it with friends – tweet this article, share it to your Facebook wall, or pin the image above to one of your Pinterest boards so you can navigate back here later on!
Comment below & tell me which of these ideas you’re going to use to start making video content!