Unless you’re a news anchor or a Kardashian, you’re probably not used to being on camera every day. Camera shy or “videophobic” business owners can get around the on-camera challenge by using animation, screencasts or other off camera methods to communicate their message.
Effective “off-camera” videos include PowerPoint to video (i.e. narrating your video presentation via Google Hangouts, for example), as well as various animation programs.
My favorites are VideoMakerFX (http://www.videomakerfx.com/), because of its ease of use to create animated presentations, and AdobeSpark, a free app for the iPad that allows you to create professional graphics and music matched to text you insert. (https://spark.adobe.com/)
Even narrated PowerPoint presentations can make for effective videos. PowerPoint videos are often to cornerstone of video webinars or live webcasts.
Photo/video montages are another simple “off-camera” video solution. Websites and apps like animoto.com and stupeflix.com make it “drag and drop” simple to add photos and music to your project, and create a professional video montage in no time.
Once you are ready to wade into “live” video, one of the best ways to get comfortable on camera is by using video email. V-mail is typically short, informal and simple, so it’s a great introduction to being on camera. Think of it as simply communicating with a friend, just like you’d do with Skype or Face Time.
Vmail is a surprisingly easy and effective way to truly connect and engage with your colleagues, clients or prospects. Many business owners assume that video email is complicated or involves special software, but the reality is that low-cost services such as MailVu.com and BombBomb.com make it ‘point and shoot’ simple.
BombBomb is a bit more sophisticated than most email services (and a bit pricier starting at $39 per month), but they offer an easy way to record and send email from your webcam or smartphone. You can also brand your emails with your logo or banner to really impress your recipients.
MailVu is lower hanging fruit starting at just $2.50 per month, and also provides the ability to send video emails via desktop or smartphone with their iPhone or Android app. Either way, even a brief, 30-second personal greeting will break through the usual inbox clutter and get you noticed!
The bottom line is that you absolutely do not have to be glamorous or have a big budget to get ‘comfy on camera.’ There are dozens of ways to communicate your message and reach your customers.
For more video tips and shortcuts, be sure to get your free download of TWO of my best video marketing checklists at: www.ComfyOnCamera.com