When you watch YouTube creators, it’s all too easy to write off what they do as being very easy. After all, all they need to do is film themselves chatting about their favorite subjects and then upload one video a week to build a big audience.
Except when you actually go in front of the camera and try this yourself, you quickly realise that it very much is not easy. Creating great YouTube videos is hard work for a lot of reasons but even just speaking on camera can be a nightmare if you’re not used to it as you find yourself stammering, pausing to know what to say, or just struggling to sound engaging and interesting enough for people to want to listen.
So what’s the solution? Let’s take a look at some things you can do to improve your YouTube presentation skills…
Talk More Slowly
This is one very easy thing to fix about your presentation. A lot of us will find we end up speaking quicker when we’re nervous or when we’re on film and this can end up making what we’re saying harder to follow. What’s more, is that speaking quickly makes you sound less confident and actually also less eloquent and intelligent. Just slowing down your speech then is one of the very best ways to sound more coherent and engaging!
Move!
When you talk, it’s important that you talk not only with your mouth but with your whole body. They say that 90% of communication is non-verbal but we forget this when we’re communicating with a camera. Gesticulating more will make you seem more passionate and engaging and this will make you come across as more charismatic (this is something that has actually been demonstrated in numerous studies). Likewise, you should try to move around a lot while you’re filming, as this will help to make the video more dynamic and interesting (as well as making it easier to edit).
Act
Apparently, the camera adds 5lbs. What it also does though is to sap you of all your energy. If you say something and it comes across as engaging and exciting in real-life, it can still seem vapid and dull on camera.
This is why good presentation often means that you need to dial up the volume and act even more enthusiastic than you really are. It’s almost like acting in a play rather than talking normally – though you’ll need to watch yourself back a few times to get it just right.
Use Short Cuts
If you’re struggling to say everything in one smooth delivery, then go easier on yourself by breaking down your script into lots of shorter pieces. That way, you can then deliver each one and take a break in between rather than having to do it all in one go.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Finally, make sure that you are continuously practicing and rehearsing your delivery. This is something that you will get better at over time, so don’t worry if you don’t sound absolutely perfect on day one!