I talk a lot about using video as a differentiator, and as a way to accelerate the know, like, and trust factors your clients need and want. Voice and video bring you to life and cause people to feel like they already know you, or know you better.

Working in this voice and video space as an advisor, I know there are many professionals who are not yet comfortable showing up on video. Allow me to help you get over that hump.

This Can Set You Apart From Other Lawyers

Let’s talk about video and livestreaming because these are important tools for you to consider using when you communicate. There are many times in your practice and your business that it would make sense for you to record a quick video, or to go live on video to help your clients, potential clients, and followers learn about:

• Something that you do
• Something they need to do
• Recent developments that have an impact on their businesses
• …or up-to-the-minute breaking news.

Communicating these things in a timely manner can help set you apart. The good news is these videos don’t need to be professionally produced. They can be, but that’s a different kind of video than what I am talking about here.

Baby Steps

I was recently in a Zoom meeting with some people who are learning about livestreaming. One of the professionals who had her camera turned off talked about not being comfortable being seen on camera.

One of the suggestions I gave was to take baby steps.

You might even think that creating your own video, or going live on video on social media, are both so far away from anything that is possible right now because the thought of being on camera makes you sick from being nervous and/or anxious.

If that is you, let’s talk about the baby steps that will help you become more comfortable.

Here’s what that might look like. The next time you’re going to be in a Zoom meeting and people are able to turn their cameras on, instead of shutting down your camera, or never turning it on in the first place, commit to getting yourself to a comfortable place before you get there.

A comfortable place might mean getting ready as if you are leaving the house or apartment and know you are going to be seeing other people. That means different things to different people. Whatever it is for you, get to that point.

Then I want you to join the meeting and just turn on your camera.

• Don’t worry about saying anything, except for a polite hello and a friendly nod or smile if that is what everyone else is doing.
• If the meeting is too large for everyone to speak, don’t worry about contributing verbally.
• Don’t think you have to do anything smart or brilliant.

Smart and brilliant are not what we are working on right now. There is plenty of time for that. Our focus is getting you to a more comfortable place while on camera.

Baby steps.

It Can Be Frightening

The baby step of turning that camera on can be frightening. I understand that. I’m one of the odd people that is over that hump and actually enjoys livestreaming and going on camera and interacting with people.

Don’t use me as an example (yet) unless you want to say, oh, that’s what I could get to. That’s great, but don’t expect you’re going to get this comfortable right at the start. I don’t even want to look at my original livestreams or my original videos because, when I do, I think, oh my goodness!

Just tell yourself that for the next two Zoom meetings, you are going to get yourself dressed and prepared in a way that you’re comfortable with, and you’re just going to turn that camera on and that’s it. That’s a great way to get started.

After The First Two

Now, after you do two of those, you may say to yourself, alright, I’m feeling more comfortable. I’m going to commit to doing that two more times.

When you continue to do that and realize that everyone isn’t staring at you to judge you, but rather to see and interact with you to get to know you better, you will likely find that it becomes second nature to turn on your camera during these virtual meetings.

I Have Days When It Makes Sense To Be Off-Camera

There are days when I’m in Zoom meetings when I might not have any other external client or networking meetings, yet I want to be a part of that Zoom meeting because I want to learn something from that presenter who has chosen to use Zoom meeting, which allows everyone to be on-camera. I might be in shorts, a messy bun, and glasses, or whatever, but I’m not going on camera that day.

This is different. This is just getting you to a place where you are comfortable being on camera when it counts.

In Summary

This is my first recommendation for you. Just commit to being on camera for the next few Zoom meetings. After you do that, see if you can commit to two more. Again, this is just building up that comfort and familiarity.

We can talk about more tips as we go along, but I just wanted to give you this first one to start with because I understand that for some it can be extremely uncomfortable.

If you are one of those people, tell me if you think this is something that you can do, or if you think this would be at all helpful.

Perhaps you know someone who is in that space who really hates seeing themselves on camera, someone who is very, very uncomfortable with it, then I would appreciate it if you would share this with them.

You can do this. I know you can.

Baby steps. Go easy on yourself.

Just baby steps.

Take care.