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How to Look and Sound Like a Pro in Your Organisation’s Videos

Updated: Oct 9, 2024

Looking confident and professional on camera isn’t just for actors or TV presenters. In today’s business world, everyone - from CEOs to marketers - are expected to jump in front of the camera for internal updates, presentations, corporate films and all manner of other things. But it's common for many business professionals to struggle with on-camera nerves and the feeling that perhaps they just don’t know how to “look the part”. Well together, we're going to crack that today...


At True Lies Ltd, we’ve spent almost twenty years helping people just like you to overcome these challenges. And in this blog, I’m going to share six simple, powerful tips to help you look and sound your absolute best on camera - with a special a bonus tip thrown in, to help you impress the production crew on filming day.


Ready to dominate your next on-camera appearance?

Watch this video for a quick preview...




1. Your Posture Sets the Tone

Body language truly speaks volumes on camera. Just as you would in a face-to-face meeting, good posture can show that you’re confident, engaged, and ready to communicate effectively. So when you’re on camera, sitting up straight with your shoulders back helps you to project authority and fully ensures that your audience remains fully attentive and taking you seriously.


Do your best to avoid slouching or crossing your arms - this can quickly make you look defensive or disengaged. Instead, plant your feet firmly, sit or stand with a slight forward lean to express your engagement in others, and keep your hands relaxed. This will go a long way to making you appear calm, approachable and focused.


2. Dress the Part (But Keep It Simple)

What you wear on camera is just as important as how you act. Dressing professionally gives you credibility, but the key is to keep it simple. Solid, neutral colours that are well-fitted and appropriate for your industry are an excellent choise. For example, a navy suit or smart-casual blazer works great, but try your best to avoid busy patterns or bright colours - they can be distracting and difficult for the film crew to work with (but we'll get to that shortly).


Pro Tip: Stay away from reflective jewellery or anything that's likely to make any kind of noise. Eve when you're barely moving. You don’t want your microphone picking up every little sound - because they can - and if they can, they will!


3. Keep Your Eyes on the Lens

Eye contact is one of the quickest ways to build trust with your audience. On camera, that means looking directly into the lens. While it might feel strange at first, remember that the camera is your audience. When you speak into the lens, you’re connecting directly with the person watching the video. If you’re reading from a teleprompter or notes, try practicing beforehand to keep your gaze natural and as non-robotic as possible.


And if you’re being interviewed, simply focus on the person asking the questions. This will make you look and feel more natural and confident on screen.


4. Smile with Purpose

A genuine smile instantly makes you more likeable and approachable on camera. But here’s the key: smile with purpose. You don’t need to grin throughout the entire video - that might come across as unnatural and potentially insincere. Instead, smile when you introduce yourself, deliver good news, or talk about something that excites you.


And it's important to remember, that even if the topic is serious, keeping your expression friendly will keep your audience engaged.


5. Control Your Voice (It’s Your Most Powerful Tool)

Your voice is the most powerful tool you have when delivering a message. A confident voice conveys authority, but it’s not just about volume. Vary your tone and pace to keep your audience’s attention. Emphasise important points, pause after key statements, and adjust your volume depending on the message you’re delivering.


No one wants to listen to a monotone speaker - they certainly can't engage with on, so be sure to mix it up and you'll do great!


6. Practise, Practise, and Practise Again

No one becomes a great on-camera speaker overnight - it takes practise. Before your next shoot, rehearse in front of a mirror or record yourself on your phone. Watch it back, note what works, note what doesn't and improve where needed. The goal is to sound natural and conversational, not too rehearsed. Pay attention to your body language and how well you’re connecting with the camera. This isn't easy, and everyone gets nervous beforehand - but follow these tips and you'll quickly notice how capable you really are.


BONUS Tip: How To Impress The Crew

Your filming crew are likely to be some of the nicest, most patient, entertaining and interesting people you'll meet. So if you want to instantly win them over and maybe even get an invite to the next barbecue, here are a few things you can do to make their job a lot easier.


When choosing your on-camera outfit - avoid fine stripes, logos, and long dresses. Fine stripes can cause a strobing effect on camera (which you've probably seen if someone on TV is wearing a particularly fine-striped suit or outfit), logos can be distracting (less so if they're featuring your own organisation), and long dresses or jumpsuits can make it tricky to run and conceal microphone cables within. So by sticking with solid colours and practical clothing choices, you’ll be all set!


Conclusion

With these simple tips, you’ll be ready to look and sound like a pro on camera. Whether you’re filming a corporate presentation, training video, or an internal update, you now have some insider strategies to help you deliver your message with cool, calm confidence.


But if you want more advice on improving your on-camera presence or creating high-quality corporate videos, get in touch with us now...


At True Lies Ltd, we specialise in helping businesses produce outstanding video content. If you need help with your next project, reach out to us at TrueLiesLtd.com and let’s make it happen.


🎬 You can re-watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/PXGr0I8MAzU


Share your tips! What’s your go-to trick for looking confident on camera?

Leave a comment below and let us know!

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