7 Simple Delivery Shifts That Make You Easier to Watch
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Half the Secret to Great Vocal Delivery is Avoiding These Common Mistakes
It's been said many times, but it's really true: From time to time, we all get in our own way.
We're terribly self-critical. We want to get it "right." And in our pursuit of being good on camera, we end up recording the same d*mn video over and over again...
...which totally defeats the purpose. If you've ever been there - and I have! - you know that it only progressively get worse and worse.
Yup, by the 27th time, it's pretty stale and you're just about ready to throw the camera halfway across the room.
It's time to stop. Not because take #2 was the best (and it probably was), but because all you've really achieved was to psych yourself out.
News flash: You're coming across as tired. Stressed. Forced in videos 3-27.
Quit trying so hard! And I'm saying this to myself, too, because I fall in the same trap from time to time.
The truth is: polish, platforms, and tools aren’t the deciding factor anymore. Authentic, realistic, human energy is.
You don't have to be perfect. But you CAN be confident, natural, and credible — without performing.
How about some sure-fire ways to improve your delivery?
Bonus: they work just as well in person as they do on camera!
Clarity beats performance. Every time.
“By take #27, you’re not improving. You’re unraveling.”
1. Slow the thinking, not just the talking
Most people try to “slow down” by speaking more slowly. Sorry, that rarely fixes the problem.
If your mind is racing ahead of your words, your delivery will still feel rushed, even at a slower speech rate.
Here's what you should do. Let's call it "the shift":
Complete one thought before starting the next
Let ideas finish instead of stacking
This creates natural pacing without forcing an unnatural cadence. It's a more relaxed way of speaking, too, that is far more engaging to the viewer.
2. Stop tightening your voice to sound professional
Many professionals unconsciously narrow their voice on camera. They hold tension to sound controlled and polished.
Unfortunately, tension reads as strain, not credibility. And it's rough on your voice, especially when you overdo it.
Try this instead. The shift:
Allow your voice to stay fuller and more relaxed
Speak as if you’re explaining something to one intelligent person
This increases warmth, clarity, and authority simultaneously. It'll draw your viewers in, too.
3. Let pauses do the real work
Pauses feel dangerous when you’re recording.
They sound MUCH longer to us than they really are, and we feel a real need to fill up the emptiness.
You may even worry that those pauses sound awkward and that your viewers will lose attention and wander off to watch a cat video or something.
Not so! To the viewer, pauses feel intentional. They signal:
confidence
clarity
leadership
In other words, a serious, experienced speaker formulating thoughts in the moment. It feel real and very human, both to the speaker ahd to those watching.
Simultaneouly, the pause lets you collect your thoughts and structure your next words:
Stop filling space automatically
Let silence land after key ideas
Bonus: they give you a mini-break, which cues your body to relax a bit and moderate your pace.
4. Separate thinking from speaking
Multi-tasking has its limits! I try to keep multi-tasking to simple things, like folding laundry or cooking dinner while listening a podcast. (Don't I sound so domestic?!)
Talking about one point whie your mind races ahead to prepare the next one creates:
filler words ("um" or "you know")
rushed phrasing
flat delivery
You end up looking unprepared and flustered - or just plain boring. The shift in thinking here is to...
Pause to think
Then speak
This simple separation makes delivery sound conversational and grounded... and so much more interesting.
5. Stop performing confidence
You're not fooling anybody. Confidence is not something you layer on. That just looks like a performance, like someone trying too hard... and it's not convincing.
Please don't do the following; these come across as bravado, not true confidence:
over-project
exaggerate energy
monitor yourself constantly
Confidence appears when you remove interference. Stop trying so hard to be taken seriously and just:
Focus on being understood
Let clarity replace effort
Calm authority emerges naturally... and people lean in.
6. Speak to one person, not an audience
The camera triggers broadcasting behavior. If you're reading a script (please don't do that! We can tell.), your voice changes to "presentation" or broadcast mode. You audience feels like you're preaching to them. Formal, distanced, less relatable.
The camera is truly more of a conversation you're having with each person watching you. It feel personal, so do this instead:
Picture one specific listener
Speak as if you’re in conversation
This dramatically increases connection and watch time, not to mention trust and the feeling that you actually care about the person watching you.
7. Trust clarity more than personality
You don’t need to be bigger, funnier, or more animated. You just need to be clear. And keep it simple, down to the essentials.
What do we, your listener or viewer, need to know?
Fewer words, said plainly, land better and are easier to remember than long-winded details
Trust the idea and let it do the work
Clarity carries more weight than embellishment. And in much less time, too, which helps keep short attention spans on your content.
The Benefits to YOU
When you stop trying so hard and follow these seven basic principles, you're going to realize a few things:
Recording becomes easier
You need fewer takes
You'll be happier — and less harsh on yourself
Analytics bear this out: you'll see a stronger viewer response
Why? It's not because you became someone else. It's because you removed all sorts of friction - you relaxed a bit. Slowed down. Focused on speaking clearly and plainly, and TO the audience than AT them.
Going on camera? A final thought
Delivery isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill. And in 2026, it’s the skill that quietly determines whether people stay, trust, and take the next step.
Most importantly, it can be learned.
I offer masterclasses throughout the year on this very subject. If you want a heads-up as to the next one, comment below or drop me an email. I also speak on this subject at other people's events, like this one. Group workshops? Most definitely. Just let me know what you need.
The Prosperity Mindset Summit
What are the mindset patterns that quietly shape how money flows into (or away from) your life?
Every talk delivers clear, actionable ideas you can apply immediately. No hype. No pressure. Just real value.
An On Demand Audio Experience
March 1st - 20th, 2026
Want to learn more? Let's talk!
I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. 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.
