10 Simple Ways to Look and Sound More Confident On Camera
How to stop overthinking the camera and start coming across like yourself.
The first time I really started paying attention to myself on camera, I discovered something slightly horrifying.
I knew how to talk. And I knew my material. After all, I had spent years in corporate environments where I could sit across from executives, make my case, and feel perfectly comfortable doing it.
But put a camera in front of me? The problems were EVERYWHERE.
What was I doing with my hands? They looked like they had a life of their own and were taking over the screen. Was I sitting on a tack? Maybe, because I was leaning over slightly, doing a pretty convincing impression of the Tower of Pisa. Meanwhile, my eyes were looking at something in the distance (maybe a cheat sheet?) and my voice sounded like I was reading a hostage statement.
Forget the Twilight Zone....
Welcome to the Red Light Syndrome
It's positively eerie. That little recording light has an amazing ability to make perfectly capable people forget how to be themselves. And I understand it because I’ve been on both sides of the equation. I went from the corporate world into acting and voiceover, where being comfortable in front of a camera or microphone is quite literally part of my job.
What I’ve learned is that camera confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a skill. And like any skill, you can get much better at it.
So whether you’re on Zoom, recording a LinkedIn video, filming training content or preparing for an interview, here are 10 things that can make an immediate difference. Please, learn from my mistakes!
1. Recognize Red Light Syndrome
You’re perfectly articulate until somebody says, “We’re recording.” Then suddenly you’re aware of your hands, your face, your voice and your posture. Even your eyebrows seem to be doing things without permission. Weird.
That’s Red Light Syndrome.
The important thing is to understand what’s happening. And relax! You haven’t suddenly lost your ability to communicate. You’re simply trying to talk while also monitoring yourself, and that’s a lot harder than it sounds. It's not particularly helpful, either, so please stop it.
Actors train for this. Broadcasters, too. It's a skill you can pick up, as well.
2. Talk to the Viewer, Not the Camera
This is one of my favorite tricks: don’t talk to the camera. Talk to a person through the camera.
Picture one specific person on the other side of that lens. Maybe it’s a client, a colleague or someone who really needs to hear what you have to say. Then talk to that person as if they were physically right there in front of you.
You’ll probably notice a difference almost immediately. Your voice becomes more conversational, your face relaxes and you stop sounding as though you’re “presenting.” You come across more as a friend, which is exactly what we want.
The person watching needs to feel a connection with you, and this is one of the best ways to create that feeling that you're having a 1:1 conversation with them.
3. Know Your First Sentence
Do you want people to click away before you even finish your first sentence?
Then please don’t start your next video with, “Hi, everyone. So, ummm... I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to talk about today...” Or don't start with, "Hi, my name is ________ and I want to talk to you about...."
Ho hum, on to the next video.
Hit the ground running with an interesting observation, statistic, or fun fact. Something that gets my attention. A question works. Even a corny dad joke done right (and if it's relevant) will make me smile and see what else you have to say.
Here are some examples:
“Are you making this mistake on Zoom?”
“Your presentation problem probably isn’t your content.”
"82% of people creating content are doing this one thing wrong."
Once you get that first sentence out confidently, everything gets easier.
4. Be a Person, Not a Talking Head
The most engaging people on camera are the ones who look comfortable in their skin. They're relaxed, their expression changes as they talk, and they move naturally within their frame.
Sit or stand tall, relax your shoulders and position the camera at roughly eye level. Give yourself enough room in the frame to move naturally.
And yes, use your hands. You use them when you talk to people in real life, don’t you? Your body is part of the conversation. Let it participate.
5. Look at the Lens
This one trips up almost everybody. It sounds simple, but often it's not, especially in Zoom rooms.
When you look at someone’s face on your computer screen, it feels to you as though you’re making eye contact. But if you’re talking to someone in a Zoom box fairly far away from your camera lens, let's say near the bottom of the gallery view, everyone may just be seeing the top of your head.
What if you're recording a video directly to your audience? You may very well be looking away from them, especially if you're trying to reference notes that you may have posted to one side of your camera.
Here's the thing: the camera lens is your viewer's eyes.
That doesn’t mean you have to stare into it like you’re trying to hypnotize somebody, but when you want to make a point or create connection, look there.
If you need notes, keep them as close to the camera as possible, so your eyes aren’t constantly darting around.
6. Dress for the Camera
You don’t need a special “video wardrobe,” but clothes do behave differently on camera. Tiny patterns can look strange. Very bright colors can take over the frame. Jewelry that seems perfectly innocent in person can become surprisingly noisy when there’s a microphone nearby.
My basic rule is simple: I want people looking at you, not wondering what your blouse is doing. If something is fighting for attention, simplify it. Your face and your message should get top billing.
Want a go-to look? Pick a shirt or blouse in a solid color, one that looks good on you. Stay away from white, though; it doesn't always reflect well on camera. Note your background, and choose a color that complements vs. one that competes with it for attention.
7. Take One Good Breath
When we get nervous, we tend to breathe more shallowly. Then we start talking faster, our voices get tighter, and suddenly we’re racing through a two-minute video as though someone has released the hounds.
Before you start, take a good breath. Let it out. Drop your shoulders and then begin.
You do not need a 20-minute meditation before every Zoom call. Sometimes one decent breath will do nicely.
8. Vary Your Speaking Delivery
A Zoom meeting is not a LinkedIn video. A training video is not a podcast. And none of those is a commercial.
Different situations need different pacing and energy. On Zoom, people need a little more time to absorb information and respond. With prerecorded video, you can usually tighten things up.
Also remember that nerves mess with your internal speedometer. You may think you’re speaking at a lovely, leisurely pace while everyone else hears an auctioneer.
Every once in a while, record yourself and watch it back. Yes, I know. Nobody enjoys doing this at first. Do it anyway. You’ll start noticing where you rush, where your energy drops and where a pause would make your point much stronger.
9. Wake Up Your Voice
As a voice actor, I’m especially aware of this one. Your voice is a huge part of how you come across.
You don’t need an elaborate vocal warm-up before recording a short business video, but give your voice a chance to wake up before you expect it to perform. Hum a little. Read your opening aloud. Loosen your jaw.
And please don’t put on your “professional voice.”
You know the one. It sounds Very Serious and Important and nothing like you.
Your natural voice is almost always more interesting.
10. Practice Until You Stop Thinking About It
You're not going to get away from practicing. The truth is, nobody becomes comfortable on camera by waiting to feel comfortable on camera. You get there by doing it.
I didn’t go from the corporate world into acting and voiceover because I woke up one morning magically comfortable in front of a lens. I learned. I practiced. I took direction. I tried things that worked and quite a few things that absolutely did not. And I bombed more than a few times.
Eventually, the mechanics became familiar enough that I stopped thinking about them so much. And that’s really where you want to get.
You stop wondering what your hands are doing. You stop monitoring every facial expression. You stop trying so hard to look and sound “professional.”
You just communicate.
And that’s the whole point.
Before You Hit Record... Become More Confident On Camera
You do not need to fix everything at once. Pick one thing to work on.
Maybe this week you pay attention to your eyeline. Next week, notice your pace. Then work on your opening. Small changes add up quickly when you actually practice them.
The goal isn’t to look like someone who has spent 20 years in front of a camera. The goal is to look like you.
Just more comfortable, more confident and far less concerned about what your eyebrows are doing.
Still Feeling Awkward on Camera?
That’s exactly the kind of thing I help people fix.
In my one-on-one coaching, we work on how you actually come across when the camera goes on. We look at what’s helping you connect, what’s getting in your way and what relatively small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.
Because you don’t need to become someone else on camera.
You need to get comfortable enough to let us see you.
And yes, your hands will eventually figure out what to do.
What’s your biggest on-camera challenge?
Let’s talk about it.
I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and communication strategist. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
