Making LinkedIn Profile Videos work for you - even if you're camera shy [video]

Making LinkedIn Profile Videos work for you - even if you're camera shy [video]

It’s ironic.

I’m a video producer with 25 years of experience and I have a terrible time getting my own LinkedIn video done.

What is that about?

I'm struggling for the same reasons most of us do:

- I’m not a natural presenter. There’s a reason I work behind cameras and I don't consider myself 'good on camera'.

- I’m too close to the subject: me. I can think of many reasons to not do this video, perfectionism being the main one.

Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity

Perfectionism comes from the social risk, the worry about possible negative comments, and all the little things we don't like about ourselves.

As a result, most of us would rather not reach out at all, which reminds me of a dutch saying:

Not having shot means you always missed

The problem with our self limiting ideas is the missed opportunities they represent.

Building content around who you are and why you do what you do will help you find the clients who love what you do.

It will help you find collaborators you click with, and who knows? You might learning something new about yourself on the way.

How to make it happen anyway

All the reasons we put forward to not releasing content is just the fear speaking.

I should know, because I bang on about this with my clients day in day out. Told you this would be ironic.

Now push the button!

Here's how you can get yourself to push the button anyway:

- Don’t worry about being a presenter. Your audience isn't looking for a presenter, they're looking for someone they can trust enough to do business with.

- Get over it. You'll never look at your own video without cringing. No one does, even the most seasoned speakers and presenters we work with.

The reality is that our audience doesn't actually care about you that much. They're more interested in what you have to offer them.

But I'm not good on camera!

Oh, you think you're not good on camera? Have you seen me?

You don't need to be amazing.

All you need to be is you

Video content isn't about rockstar presenting, just have a look at early Gary Vaynerchuk, who is HUGE now:

 

Gary is not a polished presenter, certainly not in the early days.

The reason his content works is because it's relevant in the context of his site, so look at:

- Content and placement. Where does the video sit and it is useful for you audience at that specific point?

- Structure. Video is not like an ad lib conversation. It requires well structured, relevant and concise information.

- Scripting. I use bullet points to create a general direction, then talk around those so I don't look too stilted by trying to remember a script word by word.

How to do the video shoot

Here are two dirty little secrets to make it work for you if you're not a rockstar presenter.

- Use two takes with different angles. This allows you to cut between takes so you don’t have to get the whole thing right in one go.

- Break your own ice. Start with something you're passionate about so you loosen up, it helps your delivery.

So why do it?

Your content is how you connect to your audience, and ultimately build their trust.

Introverts unite!

This is especially true for the introverts among us.

An off the cuff elevator pitch may not be your strength, but with video you can refine your message until it suits your personal brand.

Connection is what builds your business

One of the strengths of video is that it tells us a lot about who we're looking at; there's a lot of information in the non verbal that written content can't convey.

If your video content is authentic and well structured it will help your audience make decisions on how to work with you.

And if even I can do this, you can.

Susan Tabor Kleiman, JD

Persuasive Speaking & Management Communication Lecturer, Wharton School | Bio Writer for Leaders in the Spotlight

8y

Good points Robert Moorman. We definitely need to embrace video--it's yet another valuable platform in educating others about what we do.

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Stephanie Charles

Leadership/People and Culture/Tech/SAAS/Arts

8y

Great piece Robert

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Gerry McCusker

✔️ Crisis management preparation and planning that tests plans & trains executives with real-time crisis simulation tools

8y

hope to work with you again, Robert; good quality work.

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