They’re everywhere. Instagram. YouTube. Facebook. Even Reddit!
Live video is clearly the hottest thing since Facebook, and coaches in every niche are taking advantage by hosting their own events.
It’s a rare person who loves public speaking or appearing on video. If that’s you, you can stop reading right now. (And good for you!)
But if you’re among the (much larger) crowd who suffers sweaty palms, racing heart, and uncontrolled butterflies—and you’re letting these get in the way of your video marketing dreams—then read on. (This is me for sure! I’m still just getting used to doing pre-recorded videos.)
Here’s the thing: We all get nervous. Even those who love public speaking and appear so natural on video are often shaking on the inside. They’ve just found a way to deal with their fear and make it work for them.
How To Calm The Live Video Nerves
Practice Makes Perfect
The first time you do anything, you’re likely to be nervous—especially if it’s a public performance. The only way to lessen the fear is to do it. And do it again. And again. And again.
That means not only should you practice your webinar or speech ahead of time, but you should also take to the stage—whether virtual or real—as often as you possibly can. Don’t pass up any opportunity to appear on video, on podcasts, in a webinar or on the stage.
And if you need a place to practice in a judgment-free zone, consider joining a group such as Toastmasters, where you can work to reduce your nervousness in front of a live audience.
No Pressure
Sometimes, the worst judgment comes from our own head. Don’t let that voice lie to you, though. There really is no need to pressure yourself to perform, or to be perfect, and there’s certainly no need to berate yourself for all those small mistakes you make.
Instead, acknowledge that no one is perfect, that you’re doing your best, and that you’re improving with each and every event—because you almost certainly are! Be nice to yourself, and recognize that there really is no need for perfection.
Just Be Yourself
Here’s the biggest hurdle we can face: trying to be someone we are not. We see professional news anchors, actors, and others who appear poised and polished on every video clip, and we think that’s how we have to appear.
That’s simply not true. Your audience wants to get to know you better, not the person you think you should be. So be your fun-loving, mistake-making, self-forgiving self. It will resonate so much better with your audience that everything else will be easier as a result.
3 Tips for Better Live Videos
Once you’re ready to put yourself out there and host your own live videos, you want to make sure they are ones that you audience wants to watch.
Some live videos are good. They’re well attended, fun to watch, and you feel like you benefited from attending. But some of them feel like they’re an afterthought, put together at the last minute, and don’t really bring out the best in the host.
If you’re thinking of hosting a live video event, you don’t want to fall into that latter group! Here’s how to avoid it.
Promote in Advance
On many platforms, a live video event is just a few clicks away. You can literally plan and host a video in just a few minutes, and an impromptu event can be fun.
But with a little planning, you’ll have a much better turnout. And that planning must include promotion.
Let your private groups know about upcoming events. Email your list. Post a blog. Even consider running paid ads for your upcoming video event if there’s the potential to grow your list or increase your sales.
In short, don’t just throw a party without extending invitations to your friends!
Interact with Your Audience
One of the biggest draws of a live video event is the opportunity to interact with the host. Your viewers want to get to know you better. They want to chat with the other participants. They may have questions to ask.
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring them. To do so is to say, “You’re not important to me.”
Instead, take the time to chat up the audience, acknowledge their presence, and answer their questions. Even if it takes you out of the flow and you lose your place momentarily, it’s worth it to make viewers feel respected and as if they’re a part of the event rather than just a passive viewer.
Remember to check the comments later, too. If your video is available for viewing after the live event is over, encourage the conversation in the comments.
Repeat What Works
You have a lot of options when it comes to live video. Periscope, YouTube, Facebook, and others all have their place, and I encourage you to try them all. But in the end, you’ll want to concentrate on what’s working.
If your audience loves Facebook but can’t figure out Periscope, it makes no sense to broadcast there. The same goes for length, topic choices, and day and time of broadcast. You’ll want to test all the variables, track your results, and do more of what’s working.
Here’s what you don’t need to worry about when it comes to live video: Perfection.
No one expects you to look like a cover model or to speak like a news anchor. In fact, if you do look that perfect, it might actually negatively impact your results, simply because your audience loves to feel connected to you. They know they aren’t perfect, and if you can show off your imperfections, it will help create a stronger connection.
