We are in the attention economy and video content is king. With the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, it’s no surprise that more and more people are turning to video content to promote their brands. However, for many people, the thought of being in front of the camera can be daunting. This is especially true for me so in my conversation with Alex B. Sheridan we talked about how to move past the fear of posting video content.
A few months ago, I got a message from Alex saying he will be coming to the Philippines! Alex B. Sheridan is the Trevor Wallace of the entrepreneurship space. He has mastered the craft of turning rap and comedy into educational content that brings value to content creators and other entrepreneurs. Alex is on top of his game and is well-known in the LinkedIn community for his relentless helpful content and entertaining skits. I first learned about Alex from one of the episodes of For the Love of Podcast show and have been binge-watching his content ever since. Naturally, I was ecstatic when he told me that we should do a podcast interview! I had doubts at first because I thought I wasn’t good enough but moving past this was the first step in getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new and amazing people.
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is the mastery of fear.” - Mark Twain
In this blog post, we’ll explore some insights on and off my interview from Brand in Demand on overcoming fears of being in front of the camera and tips to help podcasters if they want to be on video.
1. Start Small
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting with video content is trying to do too much too soon. It was my mistake too. I got overwhelmed by the number of videos I was trying to do. So, instead of jumping right into creating a full-length video, start small. Create short clips that you can post on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This will help you get comfortable in front of the camera without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Practice Makes Perfect
Put in the reps. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll become in front of the camera. Set aside time each day to talk in front of the camera. Even if it’s just for a few seconds. For example, you had an epiphany or thought about a topic for your podcast. Instead of writing it down, try recording yourself in front of your phone’s camera. You don’t have to post everything you create, but the more you practice, the better you’ll become.
3. Focus On Your Message and Storytelling
When creating video content, it’s important to focus on your message. What do you want your audience to take away from your video? What value are you providing? Try integrating a story format into your video. A story has these basic elements: (1) A hero (2) Conflict (3) Resolution. By focusing on your message and integrating storytelling you’ll be able to create content that resonates and engages with your audience.
4. Embrace Imperfection, Focus on Growth
When I was making my first few videos I was always conscious about how I looked ugly, how people think of me, and making pronunciation mistakes. Sometimes, it holds me back from executing. I realized that people didn’t really care about those things and it gave me a boost of confidence when I got qualitative feedback from people about my videos.
Once you have a bank of videos posted, don’t forget to look back and see what you can improve on. Focus on growth and becoming better than who you were before.
“There’s more to life than just staying in the same place.” (Physically and mentally) I just quoted what I said from the podcast. 😁
5. Using Tools (Equipment, Software, and AI)
When starting we don’t always have an expensive mic or great camera equipment and that’s ok! We can’t bring heavy DSLR cameras all the time anyway. Just your phone to start is enough and social media is moving toward short vertical videos so you can film a selfie video anytime anywhere. Plus we can edit our audio and there are a lot of tools out there that can automatically remove background noise. You can use Adobe Podcast. Even TikTok has noise remover in its recording features. When it comes to ideas and content AI has made it even easier. In fact, GPT-4 is already out and you can use it for free by using Bing Chat. I talked more about it in this video.
6. Have Fun!
I was in a content rut when I scheduled content creation. I was creating on days I didn’t feel inspired and it became a gruesome experience. Forcing creativity out was one of the most counterproductive things I’ve done and realizing that, I found ways to make the content creation process easier. I didn’t stop myself from recording on days that I really want just to stick to a recording schedule. Creating video content should be fun! Let’s not take life too seriously and enjoy the process always.
Happy Podcasting!
Creating video content can be scary – especially if you’re used to being behind the scenes like I was. Hopefully, these insights will help you start being on camera so you can move past your fear of posting video content and start creating stuff that resonates with your audience and shows your authentic self.
If you’re interested to learn more from my conversation with Alex click here to watch the full episode from his podcast.
Timestamps to help you navigate the episode:
Starting the Podcast Journey [00:00:00]
Alex and Rem discuss the self-doubt and insecurities that come with starting a podcast and creating content.
Opportunities in Content Creation [00:00:38]
Alex talks about the opportunities that the internet and social media have opened up for people in places with limited opportunities.
Rem Ortega's Journey [00:01:35]
Alex introduces Rem Ortega and discusses her journey into podcasting and entrepreneurship.
Creating the First Pieces of Content [00:02:02]
Alex asks Rem Ortega about the first type of content she created and how she overcame her insecurities.
Taking One Step at a Time [00:05:08]
Alex and Rem Ortega discuss the importance of taking one step at a time and building confidence in content creation.
Mission to Help Others [00:06:46]
Rem Ortega talks about her mission to help others through content creation and how it pushed her past her insecurities.
Chasing Growth [00:07:38]
Rem talks about how he wanted to grow and experience new things, and how he overcame doubts and insecurities.
Opportunities in Third World Countries [00:10:43]
Rem discusses how people in third-world countries can still find opportunities through passion and obsession, and how social media can shape people's perspectives.
Consume Content [00:11:21]
Rem talks about how social media companies bombard people with content, and how people should be aware of the type of content they consume.
Treating Social Media as Mentorship [00:15:26]
Alex suggests treating social media like mentorship and finding intentional content from mentors to consume instead of mindlessly scrolling.
Intentional Content Consumption [00:16:16]
The importance of being intentional about the type of content consumed and how it can lead to creating one's own content.
Finding Role Models [00:17:09]
The significance of finding role models and doing research to ensure they align with one's values and aspirations.
Overcoming Idolization [00:19:01]
The need to look up to role models as sources of learning and value, rather than idolizing them as untouchable figures.
Passion for Podcasting [00:20:55]
The impact of podcasts on personal and professional growth, and how it led the guest to pursue podcasting as a career.
Purpose-Driven Content Creation [00:23:20]
The importance of having a strong purpose and drive behind content creation, and how it can lead to making a positive impact on others.
Creating Long-Form Content [00:23:43]
The importance of creating long-form content, such as podcasts, to showcase expertise and authority in a topic.
Starting a Podcast [00:24:56]
The benefits of starting a podcast including the ease of creating content and the potential for customer acquisition.
Solidifying Your Why [00:26:20]
The importance of having a strong reason for starting a podcast and committing to the long game.
Growing a Podcast [00:28:35]
Tips for building hype before launching a podcast, recording multiple episodes before launching, and repurposing content for social media to attract and retain listeners.
Creating Short-Form Content [00:32:33]
The importance of creating short-form content to promote a podcast and how it can act as a gateway to long-form content.
Consistency in Content Creation [00:33:08]
The importance of consistently putting out valuable content, not just the podcast, to bring people to it.
Closing Remarks [00:33:49]
Alex’s appreciation for Rem's wisdom and inspiration, and his positive experience in the Philippines.