The use of video in eLearning is on the rise. More and more organisations are using this medium as an effective technique to deliver training and learning.
What’s more, learners have come to expect engaging content, and for a good reason too. The benefits of using video in eLearning are well documented.
As more organisations use video, they are tapping into the wealth of skills and experience from their own people and using them to film.
To help you get prepared for your moment in front of the camera, we’ve created 10 tips and a handy infographic to help you shine!
- Be prepared: Being prepared helps you focus on what you want to say and identify the main points you need to get across.
- Make your point: You should have two or three talking points that are well crafted and communicate everything you need to within the first minute. Divide each point into a single thought that is easy to understand. That way, after the interview is edited what you said will stand alone as a complete thought. Once you make your key points, any additional time should be spent expanding on what you have just said.
- Be present in the moment: When the camera rolls, don’t try to be perfect. Be authentic and passionate about what you do, and be real. Sometimes people try so hard to do it right, they become flat and omit personality. The secret is to truly listen to the other person rather than think too far ahead. If you’re not present in the moment, you may miss something.
- Think of the camera as a third person: Usually, you will be looking at the person interviewing you, not the camera. The only time you should look directly at the camera is if you are making a specific point to the viewer.
- Use your natural voice: Be energetic and speak with authority. Be yourself and speak to the camera like it was your best friend. Not only is it more natural, but it’s what people expect. You want your video to reflect who you are, not someone else.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: The video will be edited afterwards, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Take a deep breath and start your point over again.
- Appearance: Avoid stripes, checks, neon colours or optical illusions in your clothing. No white, red or too much black.
- Fidgeting: Try not to fidget with your hands or gesture outside of the camera frame. Find a comfortable position to sit in. If you’re nervous, it can be tempting to lock your hands together, put them in your pockets or sway back and forth. However, this is to be avoided as it will make your positioning less natural or distract viewers.
- It’s a conversation: Remember when you are being recorded for video, you are not giving a public speech. You are having an engaging conversation; instead, focus on the one person you are talking to at that moment.
- Talent release: It is standard practice for interviewees to sign a talent release form which gives permission for the organisation to use the footage you’ve just taken part in.
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