Month: July 2013

We watch so much television, DVDs , in the past video, now a days Youtube – its everywhere – whats so hard about presenting in front of a camera?

Its easy to get up but then, your words may not be quite what you were thinking, you don’t like the way you look, even worst, you don’t like your mannerisms or your accent – you might speak too high pitch or keep fidgeting. What does your hair look like? When you watch back the video – in the background there’s a funny old photo on the wall and you can hear the dog barking!

Actors and Television professionals are trained rigorously with presenting in front of a camera. Every aspect is discussed, developed fine-tuned so that the performance is like what you see. When we as business people get up and present in front of a camera – without the training then we wonder why our performance doesn’t match our expectations.

What are some of the common things to remember when presenting in front of a camera that you can develop to create a useable video ?

1. Its important to set out what you are wanting to achieve with the video– the more planned and prepared you are the better the final result will be.

· 2. Script preparation is a big issue – commonly, business people have so much content they want to include that their script is far too complex – too much detail is discussed and the presentation becomes far, too long.
Short, concise scripts are important for maximum impact – for most video – no longer than 90seconds – 50% of your audience has gone after 2 minutes.

M 3. Mannerisms become very distracting – these need identifying and worked on – examples are for instance what you do with your hands, perhaps you hold your head one way in particular – you may forget to smile – check these.

· 4. What you wear is important – watch out for stripes, very bright colours

· 5. Remembering lines under a time pressure is challenging – keeping focus on the moment is really important. When professional videoing is an option – being trained to use an autocue will really assist you to present without forgetting your lines – this becomes quite an issue when you’re on the spot.

6. Finally, nerves – getting up infront of the camera and speaking to the camera rather than a person can be a challenge – looking at the camera as though its a person helps along with practice – getting familiar with the process.

Being polished when presenting to video camera is a valuable skill that will enable you to connect with your clients before you have even met them. They will get to know you and your business – if you connect confidently and clearly then you will make an impact on the viewer – who could be a potential client.

The Speakers Practice is running the Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop on the 30th August and 6th September with Professional Media Skills Trainer – Tim Stackpool at the PowWow Studios at North Sydney. This is a fantastic opportunity to become really comfortable and capable with presenting in front of a video camera – you will be able to confidently speak to your potential clients via video and win them over!

Go to : http://www.thespeakerspractice.com.au/presentation-and-video-program for more details and to book in http://bit.ly/13qDtvz or ring Adrienne McLean on 0414 367 960 to discuss the Effective On-Camera Presenting workshop more.

For Professionals who have been in the working life for a long time, it is forgotten how strongly focussed, highly skilled and just plain confident they come across. To new, fresh out of university graduates, it can be quite intimidating how powerful the Professionals approach can be. This also holds true for business people delivering a presentation, for people with English as a second language, mothers returning into the workplace, men or women who have been retrenched and are looking for that highly sort after and needed job and many others.
Professionals can seem unapproachable and the whole interaction can seem daunting. What can be done to have a friendly and less nerve-racking with a Professional either in the workplace, at university or in an interview, delivering a presentation or where-ever?

Smile – Sometimes, when you first encounter the Professional you are wanting to speak to they may seem really focused and not wanting to be interrupted or uneasy because of the interruption – your best approach is to smile – the simple smile and greeting can really start to break down barriers – makes you seem at ease and friendly (even if you’re not). You can even shake hands ONLY if its appropriate.

Make sure you know their Name – if you are in the workplace – make sure you know the names of everyone around – if you are in a meeting – know everyone’s name – speak to them using their name. Absolutely everyone enjoys being acknowledged by using their name. If you’re delivering a presentation – its essential to use the organisations name during the presentation.

Do away with Negative Self Chatter – You are working where you are for a reason, you are in the interview because you got through the first stage, if you are meeting someone as a potential client – they have agreed to the meeting – eliminate any negative self chatter – it doesn’t serve you. Think about why you are there, by getting a successful outcome will assist you in one way or other – focus on that – Have Confidence in your ability to deliver – have confidence in yourself.

Make the person you are meeting feel important – you are in this meeting for a reason – the assistance of this person will help you in your job, help you get the job, help you get the business or whatever the situation. By making this person feel important or the group you’re speaking to feel acknowledged, it will help you to achieve your goals.

Ask Questions – be focused and involved with the conversation. Ask questions along the way to increase your understanding of whatever the topic. You have the opportunity to get to know this person so apart of the process is to ask questions. This enables you to show how interested you are. Just make sure the questions you ask are appropriate to what you are there to discuss.

Listen – if you are asking questions, make sure you hear and understand the answers – sure , if you don’t understand ask another question.

Remember – these intimidating, high level people (in your eyes) are people just there to do a job. These seemingly very important people will appreciate friendliness, openness and respectfulness. If you can build a bond whether one-to-one or one-to-the group – they will get to know you and you will then have formed a memorable connection.

To engage with Professionals whether at work or at university, in a presentation or in a networking situation – where-ever, by using these easy to follow ways of engaging – you will find that your interactions will become much more friendly and successful and those intimidating and nerve-racking thoughts will disappear. It just needs a bit of practice.