Don't Start From ZERO

Hello Friends!

Many of you will have to speak in front of an audience at some point in your professional journey, if you haven't already. That could be getting on stage, doing a presentation at work, or recording a video for social media. 

When it comes to a live speech, if you don't practice or rehearse beforehand, it will show when you are on stage…and not in a good way. 

But what about when you want to record a video? With the amount of people interested in becoming content creators, being able to speak on video is basically a prerequisite.

If you've ever tried to record video, especially when it is unscripted, chances are you had numerous takes because it wasn't easy to articulate the words in your mind and out of your mouth, among other challenges.

I remember the first time I attempted to record a video for a digital course that I was creating and it took me 45 minutes to complete a 3 minute video because of all the errors, mispronunciation, filler words, low energy and lack of clarity.

So, if you want to get good at recording videos, let me show you the easiest way to get it done with the least amount of mistakes and without sounding like a robot.

Don't Start From ZERO

When you are about to exercise, your body is at "0". It isn't warmed up, and you haven't stretched yet. Once you do get the blood flowing, loosen your muscles and appropriately stretch, you are then ready to push the limits of your body with a low chance of injury.

The same concept applies to speaking, especially before recording a video. Most people will get in front of a camera, and as they begin to speak, will trip over their words, have long pauses, will consistently look at their notes, will stutter, will have no vocal variety and will inevitably lose energy and confidence.

But, what if you practice talking for 15 minutes before you hit record?

I learned that this strategy was a game changer for me. Here's how you can apply the Zero to 60 strategy:

1. Talk About Anything

Before you attempt to practice your talking points, get into the habit of speaking freely. Talk about a hobby, a favorite sports team, your upcoming tasks, or anything else that comes to mind. What this will do is get you into a zone. In this zone, you will find your voice, your rhythm, your energy and your authenticity.

Additionally, you will move past the initial awkwardness of talking out loud while alone. Also, be sure to look at the camera while you practice. This will help you overcome "stage fright", a scenario where a speaker freezes when the camera is on.

Tip: This phase should be between  5 to 7 minutes.

2. Practice Your Topic

Now that you have the tone, cadence and rhythm down, it's time to focus on the meat of your content. Whether you have bullet points, a script or are speaking directly from the mind, it's important to take this time to find the right words to articulate your point.

During this phase, you will recognize how you want to speak, the chronology of the content and the tone you want to convey to your audience. Are you aiming to sound empathetic, passionate, angry , humorous, sad, etc.? 

The great part about rehearsing your topic is that you will build mental muscle memory, which will make it easier for you to speak confidently and impactfully when you do press record.

Tip: This phase should be between  8 to 10 minutes. 

3. Confidence Builder

Just as you would take a car from 0 to 60 MPH, the same goes for your confidence. As you practice, you will gain more confidence before pressing record. This confidence is an underrated piece that will improve the impact and quality of your recorded video.

If you don't believe me, just think about some of the terrible videos that you've come across on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. You have seen people ramble, stutter, speak nervously, speak too quickly, speak too slow, speak with low energy, speak monotonously or poorly articulate their main point. So it's no surprise that getting out of "ZERO" will help you become a confident speaker.

Parting Words

As I've stated many times, I'm a big believer in "practice". The great thing about rehearsing 15 minutes before recording a video is that you are incorporating the habit of practice into your craft. You are building confidence in your abilities. You are removing an element of stress. You are overcoming limiting beliefs and speaking anxiety. Most importantly, you are not quitting.

Starting from ZERO should only happen when you are practicing, rehearsing, studying, pregaming, or trialing. But when the spotlight is on you, you should already be "moving", hitting the floor running - hopefully reaching 60 MPH in no time.

If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here.

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

What Does Confidence Mean To Me?