When you’re in front of a camera, does your throat close up like a clam when facing a faceless audience?
You’re not the only one.
Over 75% of the population fear public speaking and talking in front of a camera.
However, Jenny de Lacy, The Visibility Coach, has dedicated her business to giving confidence to people who want to face their fear and step in front of a camera.
Jenny states the five most common stages of video fear are:
- Confidence Constipation
- Procrastination Wedgie
- Presentation Panic
- Posting Paralysis
- Start Stop Stagnation
1. Confidence Constipation
This usually occurs prior to Facebook Live.
This is also known as the horrid ‘bum cheek’ clench (ie: the feeling of holding it all in… nothing coming out!).
The thought of looking stupid or being rejected by our audience (ie: what if I stuff up?! What if they don’t like it?) becomes so overwhelming, we stop ourselves from actually creating a Facebook Live in the first place.
2. Procrastination Wedgie
Jenny states we are most likely to procrastinate to the point where it becomes too late to create the video.
Does this scenario sound familiar:
- Before 8:30am – Decide that you are ‘going to’ do a Facebook Live.
- 8:30am – Messy kitchen needs to be clean. Facebook Live can wait.
- 9:20am – Answer phone. Notice whining dog needs a walk.
- 9:30am – Whining dog is walked and is now dirty. Can’t possibly start a Facebook Live with a dirty dog sleeping on the carpet.
- 10:00am – Realise it’s not the optimum time to post on Facebook and besides, there’s plenty of work to catch up on and therefore will wait until after dinner when kid/partner/dog is in bed (ha ha) and you have a quiet moment (double ha ha).
- 8pm – Too bloody tired to fix your face to do a Facebook Live… so let’s do it tomorrow…
- Repeat cycle next day.
3. Presentation Panic
This occurs at that precise moment.
For example: You are committed to doing a Facebook Live. You are in front of the camera. Yet, your finger doesn’t have the energy to press the red button.
Or You are halfway during a Facebook Live and then stop. Mid-sentence. And can’t remember what you said two seconds ago and therefore end the Facebook Live abruptly and delete.
Oh dear.
4. Posting Paralysis
Actually filming yourself isn’t the problem.
You may have filmed yourself.
You may have filmed yourself six times already.
You may not think the video was good enough to post.
Therefore, you don’t.
All because you didn’t think the video was perfect.
Because you were worried about what other people think.
Sigh.
Jenny reminds us ‘there’s no such thing as perfect.’ Only lack of self-confidence waivers the ability to feel confident to press post.
The problem isn’t being in front of the camera. The problem is assuming negative feedback will be received, which in turn hurts your heart and soul.
Therefore, you’re too paralysed to post.
5. Start. Stop. Stagnation.
This occurs after a few Facebook Lives.
You rise to the momentum. You post a Facebook challenge consisting of 3 videos and are enthusiastic about it (Start). And then… radio silence (Stop). Nothing for months (Stagnation). This may turn into years.
According to Jenny, this does not damage a brand’s reputation but on a personal level, makes it harder to start again. Also, during your stop and stagnation phase, your audience quickly moves to another active Facebook page and watch someone else’s Facebook Live to feel a connection.
4 Techniques To Feel Confident On Facebook Live
Jenny reveals four tricks to help you become confident in front of a camera:
1. Breathe
Jenny states “People forget to breathe during a Facebook Live. Regulating your breathing brings more oxygen to the brain. It sedates the flight or fight mode your brain is fighting against”.
You are allowed to pause, catch your breath and then continue.
Jenny recommends breathing deeply 3 times before turning on the red Facebook Live button. This will help calm the nerves.
Breathing is a natural part of life. Totally expected if you want to stay alive. Think about it. Your audience will not mind if you take a breath!
2. Prepare and practice
Jenny recommends the following:
- Remembering the first 10 words of your presentation. “Once you get through the first ten words, the rest of the information will naturally flow”
- Practice in front of a mirror
- Practice in front of other people
3. Embrace your cheerleaders
The number one reason why people resist Facebook Live is that they are worried about the opinions of haters.
Jenny states not to focus on keyboard warriors. Instead, focus on cheerleaders.
Your cheerleaders.
They’re the people standing behind you wishing you the best. There are many more cheerleaders than haters than you think.
If you’re super nervous, ask your best friend/partner (a fellow cheerleader) to watch and send you supporting messages. It’s much easier to chat with a friend, isn’t it!
4. Get started. Take action
This is the final technique. And it’s simple.
Just do it.
Break down the barrier that only you have put up.
Reward yourself with a glass of wine/beer or walk your dog afterwards. Do something that will give you time to revel in the afterglow that you actually completed a Facebook Live.
Be A Problem Solver
People look online for solutions to problems. Through Facebook Live, showcase a solution your business solves for your audience.
The reality is over 40,000 search queries are entered in Google every second.
16% to 20% of Google’s queries have never been asked before.
And, according to Tubularinsights.com, 64% of consumers will make a purchase after watching branded videos on social platforms.
As Jenny states, ‘People buy from people. They need to be able to see, trust and believe you. What better way to communicate to your audience than by video?”
She practices what she preaches. Jenny is Australia’s version of a video queen.
For more information, follow Jenny here, for more resources on how to present like a champion.
