What’s Your Speaking Style on Camera?
- Laura Doman
- Sep 28
- 5 min read
7 Ways to Connect With Your Audience and Deliver With Confidence
The Story That Sparked This Question
One of my clients recently asked me, “Why do I sound so different on camera than I do in real life?”
She was warm and funny in person. But the second the red light blinked, she stiffened into lecture mode.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The truth is, most of us have more than one speaking style. The trick isn’t to force ourselves into one “perfect” version, but to choose the style that matches our message and our audience.
The right style is the one that makes your audience lean in and connect.
"On-camera confidence isn’t about perfection - it’s about connection."
The 7 On-Camera Speaking Styles
Over the years, I’ve seen professionals fall into seven main speaking styles. Each has its strengths, its weaknesses, and its place in your communication toolkit.
1. Conversational
Relaxed, friendly, and personal, like chatting with a friend.This style feels like you’re chatting with a friend, family member, or trusted colleague. It’s relaxed, informal, and warm - perfect for moments when you want connection without pressure.
Think of it as a coffee chat on camera: approachable, authentic, and easy to listen to. To pull it off, imagine just one special person behind the lens, let your body relax, and use a genuine smile to soften your delivery.
Use it for: casual updates, vlogs, check-ins.
How to nail it: imagine one special person behind the lens, relax your body, and smile (your secret weapon).
2. Informative
Clear, professional, and approachable.
When you need to get the facts across clearly, the informative style is your best bet. It’s professional without being stiff, and approachable without being casual.
You’re delivering information your audience needs, whether that’s a new initiative, product update, or company announcement, and you want them to trust the content.
Notes or a teleprompter can help keep you on track, but resist the urge to sound scripted. Speak from the heart, not just the page, so your information lands with impact.
Use it for: client communications, company announcements, internal updates.
How to nail it: keep notes handy, stay even-keeled, and speak from the heart—not the script.
3. Instructional
The teacher persona. You’re approachable but knowledgeable, guiding your audience step by step.
Instructional style turns you into the teacher. Your goal is to explain, guide, and make the content feel manageable. It’s not about showing off how much you know, but about making sure your audience understands what you’re sharing.
That means slowing down for tricky concepts, swapping jargon for plain language, and treating your viewers like smart people eager to learn. When you deliver this way, your audience feels supported - not talked down to or left behind.
Use it for: training videos, explainer content, onboarding.
How to nail it: avoid jargon, slow down for tricky parts, and use examples to make concepts stick.
4. Motivational / Inspirational
Speaking to both the heart and the head. Emotion hooks your audience, credibility keeps them listening.
This is the style that stirs emotions while still speaking to logic. It’s about inspiring confidence, hope, or determination, whether you’re addressing a team, a client, or an individual.
The hook is emotional; you grab attention by showing you care. But the foundation is credibility. Your audience will only follow if they believe you.
To succeed here, share your own stories, speak with honesty, and let your compassion shine through. The result is a message that not only inspires but feels trustworthy.
Use it for: pep talks, leadership messages, thought-leadership content.
How to nail it: be authentic, compassionate, and share your own experiences.
5. Persuasive
Not pushy - just credible and compelling. Facts, stories, and delivery that move people to action.
Persuasive speaking is all about influencing without pushing. It’s professional, credible, and grounded in reasons your audience can agree with.
You’re guiding them toward a decision - whether it’s to buy, sign up, or take action - by combining facts, stories, and clear next steps. The key is to be genuine and respectful, showing that you understand their perspective.
Done right, persuasion feels less like selling and more like guiding someone to the right conclusion.
Use it for: sales videos, proposals, calls-to-action.
How to nail it: balance professionalism with personality, and always be clear on your call-to-action.
6. Authoritative
Confidence is key. Authority doesn’t mean loud—it means steady, composed, and credible.
Authority on camera isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about confidence, calm, and competence.
This style reassures your audience that you’re in control and worth listening to, whether you’re delivering tough news, outlining strategy, or leading a team. A slower pace, deliberate pauses, and a steady gaze into the camera all add to your credibility.
Quiet confidence often speaks louder than force, making this one of the most powerful styles you can master.
Use it for: leadership updates, crisis communication, strategy sessions.
How to nail it: slow down, use pauses, maintain a calm presence, and (for women especially) drop into your lower register.
7. Entertaining
The spark that makes people lean in and want more.
Finally, the entertaining style is the one that brings energy and spark to your content. It’s not about being a comedian or over-the-top performer; it’s about making your message enjoyable and memorable.
Storytelling, humor, visuals, or even just your natural enthusiasm can make your audience lean in. When you show that you’re having fun and genuinely enjoying the material, your viewers usually will too.
Entertaining doesn’t mean silly. It means engaging, and that’s what makes people remember you.
Use it for: storytelling, brand-building, audience engagement.
How to nail it: bring in humor, stories, visuals, or energy—but don’t overdo it. Enjoy yourself, and your audience will too.
Main Takeaway
Each of these speaking styles is a tool, not a box. The most effective communicators know how to choose the right style for the right moment—and sometimes, blend two or three together.
So, what’s your go-to style? And more importantly—are you choosing it intentionally, or is it choosing you?
When you match your style to your message, you don’t just show up on camera.
You connect.
You influence.
You shine.
What's your go-to speaking style?
0%Conversational
0%Informative
0%Instructional
0%Motivational/Inspirational
Finding Your Style
The truth is, there’s no single “best” speaking style on camera. Each of the seven has its own place, depending on your message, your audience, and the outcome you want. Sometimes you’ll lean conversational, other times you’ll need authority. And occasionally, the best approach is to blend two or three styles to keep your delivery dynamic.
The real key is intentionality. Don’t let a default style run the show just because it’s what you’ve always done. Instead, choose the one that fits the moment and helps your audience receive your message the way you want it heard.
Because in the end, the right style is the one that makes your audience lean in and connect.
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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.
