Making money often means that you need to network both online & in person.
Networking is such a HUGE part of what entrepreneurs do. So today I want to address the online aspect of networking. These days, there are so many mediums but they all involve one essential component…the camera. So you gotta get on social media and put yourself out there; let your people get to know you. Utilize both your camera AND your video! There are so many reasons why you might shy away from this idea. Maybe you’re concerned that you might mess up or nobody will show up or you’ll get trolls (random people who are just popping in to say stupid things in order to get attention). So instead of thinking negatively, why don’t you consider the potential positive outcomes? What if you got on camera and instantly met your next big client? Your next employee? Your next cheerleader who wants to tell the world about you?
[bctt tweet=”What if you got on camera & instantly met your next big client?” username=”Ed_Troxell”]
What if your message just changed one person’s life?
For every potentially negative “what if” there is also one positive! The only hypothetical you should focus on is, what if I never give myself the chance to be great?
Just be you and act like no one is watching. Now I’m going to level with you for a moment. I’m still apprehensive about being on camera. I think too much about what I should say and it gets me all nervous. I am finding that if I am doing something else while scoping (live broadcasting on Periscope), I deliver a better “scope.” In fact, these days you can often find me working out or cooking in the kitchen while scoping. Do I have my own cooking show? No. Do I show you the best gym workouts? Nope. Then why am I live broadcasting during these activities? Because they distract me just enough that I don’t focus too much on what’s going on in my head. I just look at my bullet points on my note cards and go with it.
[bctt tweet=”Just be you and act like no one is watching.” username=”Ed_Troxell”]
Live video is only growing and live streaming on social media networks like Periscope and Facebook Live are not going anywhere. The demand is too high and if you don’t start getting over yourself now, you’re going to be missing huge opportunities later (see “Periscope Broadcasting Tips“).
So let’s tackle our fear head on and practice being in front of a camera. Here are some great ways to work out that stage fright:
- Invite a friend over to record you using your smart phone
- Make an outline of what you want to say prior to going on camera
- Record in a well lit area. More light makes everything look better. I use this lighting kit which has everything I need (see “Live Broadcasting/ Filming Gear” for more).
- Put a sticky note on your device to cover up how many people are watching/ tuning in
- Imagine that you’re just talking to your close friends
- Do a little dance before beginning to shake some of your nerves
- Stand up. Get in your power stance so you can feel confident
- If all else fails, just Shake It Off
Remember, at the end of the day all that matters is that you overcame your fears, got on video, and did it. Whatever else happens is just a bonus. Speaking of bonuses, watch your replays of any video you do. I know, it’s embarrassing and you are going to pick apart everything, but hear me out. When you watch your replays you start to catch the little things that will make a huge differences in your next broadcast. Pay attention to the look, the feel, the content, the delivery, how fast you talk, the words you use, are you being distracted, and the list goes on. The whole point is that your brain automatically makes these connections and makes you go, “Oh I could have done x, y, z” or “Wow! I really did better than I thought, but let me add more light next time so people can see me.”