Embrace the Camera: Conquering Your Fear of Showing Up on Social Media with Confidence
Let’s talk about one of the biggest hurdles I encourage and coach business owners to leap over when it comes to their social media presence: the all-too-common fear of showing your face! I understand it can be scary and uncertain, but it’s also key to creating a community online.
Why Showing Up Matters:
Showing up on camera is a game-changer. Why?
It’s simple: your audience craves authenticity and connection.
Seeing the face behind the brand humanizes your business, builds trust, and creates a meaningful bond. All of this is essential if you are looking to grow a business and your reach.
Not sure that’s true for your business? Don’t worry you’re not the first to question that! Try it out a couple times this month and then compare the results. Do the posts with your face get more engagement - more likes, comments, shares, and saves? I’m willing to bet they do - even if they aren’t the perfectly curated shot.
People want to see you!!
14 tips to get over the fear of showing your face
ONE: Embrace Imperfection
Perfection is overrated! The beauty of social media lies in its realness. Embrace your quirks, laugh at bloopers, and show that you're human—just like your audience.
Posted a Reel the other day where I stuttered a little in the beginning. I thought about re-doing the whole thing but opted to keep it. If I were talking to someone about the topic and had a little stutter in my voice I wouldn’t get a re-do.
TWO: Start Small and Friendly
Begin with stories or short videos. These platforms are designed for snippets of authenticity and give you room to ease into being on camera. Maybe that’s a mirror selfie or that morning coffee or working at your desk or heading out for a run.
THREE: Know Your Audience
Understand your audience's interests and needs. When you know what resonates, you'll feel more confident sharing content tailored to them.
FOUR: Plan, But Don't Script
Plan your talking points, but avoid memorizing scripts. Authenticity shines through when you're speaking naturally. I like to put together an outline of ideas but not talk word for word. When I do that I’m more likely to mess up what I’m saying trying to hit every word on the page.
FIVE: Practice Makes Progress
Start small and work up to the bigger stuff. As you get comfortable, you can work your way up to sharing with your audience. I had a client last month tell me she has no problem getting in front of the camera anymore. Once she too was unsure about showing her face, but she started slowly and now she’s making Reels and not afraid of the process anymore.
six: Get Comfortable with Your Environment
Choose a spot that feels comfortable and reflects your brand. It could be your office, a cozy corner, or even a well-lit park bench. I think this also means being in clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in.
seven: Engage with Your Audience
Imagine you're having a conversation with a friend. Engaging with your audience, even virtually, makes the experience more personal.
eight: Focus on Value, Not Perfection
Shift your focus from worrying about how you look to providing value to your audience. If you're helping them, that's what matters most.
nine: Use Visual Aids
Props, visuals, or quick slides can help you feel more at ease and add visual interest to your videos. Heck even just holding a cup of coffee or your phone in the shot can make you feel less nervous and exposed.
ten: Be Yourself: Your Authenticity is Your Superpower!
Remember, you are the heart and soul of your business. Show up as yourself; your unique personality is what sets you apart. And ultimately that is what your people are going to resonate with.
eleven: One Step at a Time
Don't rush the process. Gradually increase your on-camera presence to build your confidence over time.
twelve: Surround Yourself with Positivity
Seek support from fellow entrepreneurs and friends who can uplift and encourage you on your journey.
thirteen: Focus on the Message, Not the Metrics
Shift your focus from the number of likes to the impact your message can have. It's about quality, not quantity.
fourteen: Celebrate Every Milestone
Celebrate your wins, whether it's hitting a certain number of video posts or receiving positive feedback. You're making progress! Part of that is getting rid of the should mentality. We often say I should be doing this or I should be doing that. Don’t should all over yourself, celebrate the process instead.
You've Got This!
Remember, every journey begins with a single step. Your audience wants to know the face behind the brand. By showing up authentically, you're giving them the gift of connection and relatability.
So, let's face those cameras, smile, and share the wonderful world of your business with the world. You've got the charisma, the expertise, and the drive—now go out there and let your light shine!
