The way you present yourself on camera is important when it comes to creating your video for marketing or promotional purposes.  To increase your influence online, as Copyblogger (http://www.copyblogger.com/increase-influence-online/) has shown, there are lots of things to take into account.

All those little details add up to your professional appearance and credibility – or lack of it.  They might be small details but their impact is large.

The words

Make sure you have a clear idea about what you are going to say.  You will need a definite beginning, middle and end as well as a chronological flow from start to finish so that your video is compelling.  It’s just like telling a story. Start at the start and end at the end and everything is the middle will be right.

You don’t want to be reading a script word for word. Have prompts on the wall beyond the camera if you feel you need them but try not to spend a lot of time looking at your notes as it will clearly show on camera.  Scripting is necessary, memorising is not.

You

You want to focus directly on the camera as much as possible, looking and smiling as naturally as you can.  Eye contact is really important.

Take note of your head position making sure it is not tilting backwards or to one side.  Practice in the mirror to perfect your stance.  Use your hand gestures to add strength to your words but don’t overdo the movements.

Express enthusiasm by use of facial expressions, voice pitch, and gestures taking care not to overdo it but you must ensure that you vary it to convey conviction and to gain your viewer’s trust.

Now, I don’t want to see you out there with a strange stance looking like you’ve just knocked a parrot off your shoulder!  The key is to be natural.  Be yourself.  Take all of these tips and think about them.  Play with them.  Try them in front of a mirror or a friend until you are comfortable together.

And don’t forget to have fun!  If you are bored by the experience, chances are your viewers will be too.