How To Book a TV Commercial
- Laura Doman
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 6
The same techniques that booked me the job can help you show up with confidence and charisma in your videos, too.
I’ve got some fun news to share: I just booked a TV commercial!
It’s a juicy one—comedic, full of personality, and totally in my wheelhouse. While I can’t reveal the details just yet (NDA and all that jazz), I can tell you how I landed the role… and why these very same steps can help you shine on camera in your own business videos, presentations, or online content.
Whether you’re filming for your brand, pitching a new idea, or running a Zoom webinar, the secret sauce to being effective on camera is the same. And I'm gonna spill.
Want to show up with more confidence and authenticity on camera? Take a cue from an actor, with tips you can apply to every video, pitch, or presentation you give.
In this funny commercial, I jumped from behind a couch as my daughter's hallucination, offering Bobo's Oat Bars as a healthy treat - and nagging her to give me grandchildren.
When you're confident, prepared, and present, people can’t help but watch - and believe. Just have fun while you're at it!
The 6 Things That Booked the TV Commercial
Authenticity
No pretending, no polished persona—just me. Authenticity is what connects. Casting directors, just like your audience, can smell “fake” a mile away. When I showed up as the real me—warm, funny, and confident—they saw someone relatable and trustworthy. That’s what sells.
Confidence
Mindset is half the job. I went into the audition thinking, I can do this. I am enough. Let’s go. That trust in oneself, that quiet confidence carries through the screen. You don’t have to be loud to be powerful. You just have to believe in your own presence.
Preparation
I didn’t wing it. I studied the character and understood the tone and purpose of the ad. I thought about who the commercial was for—who needed to relate to it—and connected it back to the parts of myself that could genuinely play that role.
Your takeaway? Know your material and your audience. Preparation allows your authenticity to shine without distraction.
Sense of fun (and play!)
I relaxed into the process. I showed up ready to play and explore. And you know what? That energy is magnetic. Whether it’s a casting room or a livestream, people can feel when you’re in the moment and enjoying yourself. It puts everyone at ease.
Flexibility
No ego, no rigidity. I took direction easily and adjusted my performance on the fly. I showed a variety of tones and emotions and demonstrated how I could play off the other actors in the scene. That made me a collaborator, a team player - not just a performer.
Believability
This is the part where everything else comes together. When I was prepared, authentic, relaxed, confident, and flexible—I became believable. And that’s what sold it. That’s what made them say, “She’s the one.”
How This Helps YOU Shine in Videos and Zoom Calls
You don’t need to be an actor to use these tools. They apply directly to entrepreneurs, executives, coaches, and thought leaders trying to connect with audiences on video.
Want your viewers to believe you? To trust you? To buy from you?
Here’s how to apply this same formula:
✅ Be Yourself
Skip the “professional” persona. Be the version of you that your clients love: clear, confident, and real.
✅ Own Your Mindset
Remind yourself: I’ve got this. Mindset shows up in your posture, your voice, your eye contact—even through the camera lens.
✅ Prepare
Know what you’re talking about. But more importantly, know who you’re talking to and why they should care.
✅ Stay Loose
Have fun with it. A little lightness goes a long way. If you're too stiff or over-rehearsed, your message gets lost in the tension.
✅ Stay Flexible
Be willing to try different angles. Be coachable. And if something unexpected happens on Zoom? Roll with it.
✅ Be Believable
When all the above pieces are in place, this part happens naturally. And that’s what gets you booked, rebooked, or remembered.
Lights, Camera, You!
I can’t wait to share the final commercial with you once it airs next month. But in the meantime, think about where you show up on camera.
Whether it’s Instagram, LinkedIn, Zoom, or YouTube, your audience doesn’t need you to be “perfect.” They need you to be you.
Want help refining your video presence? Or want an extra set of expert eyes on how you come across? I offer video audits and on-camera coaching designed to bring out your most confident, credible, and charismatic self. Let’s chat.
Here’s to your next “booked it!” moment - on camera, in business, or wherever your story takes you.
Lights! Camera! Legacy!
Help Your Parents Shine In Heirloom Videos
A 1 hour free webinar about preserving your loved ones' memories and stories for generations to come - and helping them show up on camera as their very best selves. Presented jointly with family legacy curator Sandy Goe.
Wednesday, August 13
3pm EST / noon PST
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.
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