Ways of becoming more confident and comfortable in front of a camera?

Staring and looking in to a camera can be daunting if you're not used to it. When that red record button is on you may automatically freeze or start to stumble on your words when reading the autocue. To help you gain more confidence in front of the camera I thought of sharing ways that helped me.

1. Practice, Practice, Practice!

The most important step is to practice, and I cannot stress this enough. I know this may sound silly but I'm sure you may have done this before; pretend you are a YouTuber 'and welcome back to my channel'. Practice talking while you're in the kitchen, living room the shower if you want to wherever you feel comfortable (which links to number two).

2. Get Comfortable

If you're not comfortable you're not going to be confident whether you're sat in your room, at a desk or outside.

3. Don't be afraid to experiment

If you're working with other people let them know what you'd like to get out of filming. The angles, how far you want to zoom or where you want to be framed in the camera. Don't be afraid of talking through what you want. You can apply this to yourself if you're working on your own as well.

4. Write down prompts

And only prompts with little hints. If you write down every single thing that you and to say you become a bit robotic and it looks unnatural if you put a few notes and questions that will help you to remember points that you may have forgotten or help you point out what you want to say.

5. Pretend you're talking to someone

Whether it is your nan, your mum or a close friend. Pretend that they are in front of that camera and that you're having a normal conversation with them. This will help you to relax as you're now speaking to them instead of the camera.

6. Smile, look at the camera and show your enthusiasm

I know this is three points in one, but they all come together perfectly. Don't forget to smile people want to see a friendly face. Eye contact is so important. Wherever you're looking, the viewer will be looking there as well. So, if you look to the side, they may wonder what you're looking at. And finally enthusiasm, show that you're enthusiastic people aren't going to want to watch you if you're not engaging so show that you want to be there and that you know what you want to talk about.

7. Just be you!

This is simple just be yourself. Often people will put on this voice or act a certain way in front of the camera. Don't do that because people can tell if you're not being authentic so don't be afraid to show your personality on camera. And if people don't like you for being you that shouldn't bother you.