You didn't ask for it. You don't want to do that. Getting in front of a camera is one of the scariest activities for many people. It's called being camera shy. But increasingly, the focus is on real people talking about their work rather than paid use spokespeople or unknown transmitters. And today, it is not only the business leader who must be ready for their “rough”, but those on the front line. The designers. Researchers. Product experts. People on the production floor. Customer service representative and others. This trend of using real people to tell stories has many benefits for businesses.

To begin with, he gives one in front of the organization. The viewer can see people in action. Everyone loves to get a sneak peek, go behind the scenes and see how things are designed and made, hear about the challenges and see the results. Of course, that means someone has to be ahead.

Are you the right person?

If required to be on camera, here are some things to consider. First, do you have experience to talk about the topic? Are you knowledgeable? Have you been directly involved in the area to be covered? Are you aligned with the company's vision and are you passionate about what you do?

This may seem basic, but very often, individuals find themselves in a situation where they have to talk about something they don't care about, and it shows when you get in front of the target.

Today, video case studies and product videos are critical to a company's marketing efforts. You can be tapped because of your expertise, whether you're a technical or subject matter expert. People want to hear from engineers, developers and scientists. They like the perspective of people who do the work versus those who market and sell.

For recruitment videos, companies like to feature a variety of individuals, from the newest workers to the most experienced. If you have a history of rising through the ranks or a great passion for your work, you are the right person to be front and center. People also want to hear from people who look and sound like them, so if you fit the demographics of sought-after potential employees, get to the top of the list to be interviewed for your story.

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Are you camera friendly?

Believe it or not, many people, even introverts, can be camera friendly. The key is to just be yourself – not worry about how you look or think too much about everything you say. The camera “likes” people who don't put on a show or try too hard. If you are honest and approachable, the camera will be your friend.

Another quality that makes you camera friendly it is the ability to make complex things simple for others to understand. Can you tell a story as if you were explaining a business concept or initiative to a friend? If you have facts and a story to illustrate them, it's a powerful combination. Some people tend to use industry jargon or acronyms. Nothing turns off a listener faster than not understanding the content. Avoid using words that are not commonly understood. People who use simple and direct language can relate to and capture the attention of an audience. And when it comes to language, less is more. Can you talk briefly about the topic? Don't wander around or retreat?

Over the years, numerous studies have emphasized the importance of nonverbal communication. About 80 to 90% of communication comes from our non-verbals. If it's so important in face-to-face communication, what happens when you're up close and personal with your audience on camera? Facial expression, eye contact gestures and tone of voice are amplified on camera. If you're uncomfortable in your own skin, it shows. However, if your nonverbals are good and what you say matches your appearance, you can deliver a powerful message.

Some of what makes people camera-friendly is hard to explain, but you know it when you see it. Viewers are drawn to attractive people, but it's not just about good looks. I spend a lot of time interviewing people for corporate videos, and the ones that really shine are attractive because they're comfortable and have an engaging personality. They are authentic and it is clear to everyone that they believe what they say. People who are engaged and excited about what they do are fun to watch.

Are you ready?

One of the biggest issues I have when interviewing or coaching people to be on camera is that they over-prepare. They memorize. They want every word to be perfect. These people are usually terrible in front of the camera. Here is my simple advice if you want to get camera ready.

You have been asked to come forward because of your knowledge. Write down three to four key points and, if necessary, put them on a large note card. Don't try to look smart. Just be yourself.

Think of a video opportunity as a conversation with someone you like. This is a chance to share what you know. No one speaks perfectly. If you make a mistake, correct it and move on. It will most likely be fixed in the editing room, so you don't need to worry.

Appearance is important. This means looking good and wearing clothes that don't distract from the message. Keep SIMPLE: use solid colors and no flashy jewelry.

If you're asked to make regular video segments for your company, consider getting some training to get more comfortable with the camera. Learning simple things like where to look, how to speak in voices and more can improve your performance.

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