Presenting on video is one of those things that looks easy but isn’t. If you haven’t tried it, count yourself lucky because it can be a stressful experience. A bad presenter is an easy way to lose credibility and viewers simultaneously. Sure, the professionals make it look simple. But they’re professionals, and chances are you aren’t. To help you present like a professional, I’ve compiled the best advice we could muster for your next corporate or training video.
Think about the audience’s benefit
Before you even step in front of the camera, you should take a second to think about who will be watching. I’m talking about tailoring your presentation to your audience. What kind of language would they use? Do you need to simplify your speech? Will they understand jargon/acronyms? Do they need context for what you’re talking about? Reflecting on these aspects is a crucial first step in becoming a relatable presenter.
Keep it simple
Keeping things simple is the key to ensuring your audience doesn’t mentally wander off. When you go into too much detail, you’re asking the audience to remember too much of what you’re saying. The result could be that they don’t know anything. If you’re writing a draft of what you want to say, I highly recommend showing it to an unbiased third party to ensure it’s not too complex.
Our friend Andrew Marty from SACS is great at quick and simple videos; he also loves to tell a story (more on that in my last tip). A few years of practice have made him quite comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
This one should be pretty self-explanatory. The more you do something, the better you get. You might realise after saying it out loud that the gag you put in the opener wasn’t as witty as it seemed. Go a step further by rehearsing in front of somebody; it makes a huge difference. If you can’t find somebody willing to sit through what you have to say, then the bathroom mirror is another option.
Get to Know The Crew
The camera crew are there to make you look and sound good. They won’t make you look bad just because you’re not being super friendly (if they do, it’s certainly time to find a new crew). However, the knowledge that a film crew has gained over the years of working with both professional and novice presenters is invaluable. We regularly pass on tips we learn from the pros, but it doesn’t hurt to drill us for more tips or feedback. If your rapport with the crew is strong, then you’ll both feel more comfortable when they have honest feedback about that ‘giving up carbs’ gag you put in the opener.
Look Your Best
It’s always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed. The same applies for video. Because video is 100% ‘honest’, it’s also pretty unforgiving. A loose tie or an untucked shirt that nobody noticed on the day will turn into a major distraction for your viewers that you can’t take your eyes off. Once again, when we’re behind the camera, we’re always looking out for these things, but it’s worth double-checking. We even bring a basic makeup kit with us. We don’t spare anybody either, we’ve put makeup on everyone from CEO’s to MPs. It might not be enjoyable at the time, but it’ll make you look so much better on camera.
Be yourself when presenting
Some people change dramatically when the camera starts rolling. This might be fine for a seasoned news reporter putting on the reporter voice, but it doesn’t work in most cases. Be yourself. While it’s true that sometimes people come across as being a bit flat on camera, there are better ways to compensate. Smile at the beginning and the end of your presentation. Ask the camera crew if their framing will allow you to express yourself with your hands. If you usually gesture like this, then great, but don’t start just for the sake of the video. Be yourself.
Storytime
Audiences love stories, and video producers love them too (if they can retell some of the story visually in your video). This is because stories are relatable and engaging. The key is to remember tip #1, keep it simple unless it’s a good story.
So these are my top tips for preparing yourself to present on camera. If you want to work with a crew that has extensive experience with first-time presenters, then get in contact with us today.
