Are you afraid to face the camera? Do you get nervous and stutter when recording YouTube videos? This article gives you 7 practical tips to help you sound more natural in YouTube videos.
1. Don’t Rely on Your Script
If you want to speak naturally in YouTube videos, remember that your script can only be a guide. You don’t need to read every word. If you always try to avoid making mistakes, you will put yourself under a lot of pressure.
We recommend that you do not write a very detailed script. Such a script will make you lose the focus of the article. You just need to put the content in order and summarize what you need to say in an outline.
Do not spend time memorizing the script, which will make your words sound stiff. Just remember the content of the outline and speak it in order. If your memory is not very good, you can use tools such as a teleprompter.
Read more: How Do I Start Writing YouTube Video Scripts
2. Vary the Speaking Speed
Some people speak very fast when they are nervous or excited. This is normal and many people have this problem. You need to be aware of your speaking speed when you are speaking on camera.
Speaking slowly all the time will make the audience feel bored and unable to find the point. Speaking fast all the time will also make the audience feel overwhelmed.
You need to adapt your speaking speed to different situations. Speak faster when you need to express passion, urgency, and excitement. Slow down when you need to express sadness or confusion. You also need to slow down when you are talking about important or serious topics.
3. Make Eye Contact and Smile
It’s impossible to ignore the camera. You can imagine yourself giving a speech while recording a video, and think of the camera as a window to your audience. Make eye contact with the camera and smile naturally, which will bring you closer to your audience, and help you act naturally in YouTube videos.
If you don’t know how to smile, don’t force it. Think of something that makes you happy, or think of the camera as your friend or family. This will make your smile more natural.
4. Regulate Tension
Being too anxious when recording a video can cause your voice to be tense. Your expression will also be stiff. To relieve anxiety, you can make some physical and mental adjustments.
Before recording a video, take a deep breath or meditate, stretch your body, and find a comfortable position. These techniques can make your body more relaxed. Once you relax, your voice won’t be so tense.
You can also give yourself psychological hints and encourage yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Sometimes a few mistakes will make you seem closer to the audience.
5. Use Hand Gestures
Adding hand gestures while speaking can help you act naturally in YouTube videos. Gestures can be a great way to grab your audience’s attention, so that they may overlook some of the minor mistakes in your speech. In addition, gestures can help emphasize your points and make your speech more attractive.
You can study the gestures of speakers in other YouTube videos. Find gestures that you feel are natural and match the tone of your message. Be careful not to gesture too much, as excessive gestures can distract the audience. You can practice hand gestures in front of a mirror to get the best performance on camera.
6. Pause Naturally
In addition to slowing down or speeding up your speech, you also need to pay attention to pauses. When you finish a paragraph, pause naturally to give the audience time to digest the information. Also, you can adjust your breathing and organize your thoughts during the pause. When pausing, make sure you don’t use filler words like “um” and “uh”, which can make YouTube videos sound stilted.
7. Be Confident While Speaking
Believe in your own charm when you speak. Show your true self to the audience. Learn to accept your strengths and weaknesses and allow your imperfections to be shown to the audience. Just do it bravely. Sometimes not fearing the outcome can lead to a good result.
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Conclusion
Being more natural on camera takes practice, but it’s never too late to start. Hope these tips will help you sound more natural in YouTube videos.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Mia loves music and art, and likes to listen to music alone in her spare time. Now, Mia is the English editor of MiniTool. She is good at writing YouTube tips, video conversion, and video recording. She is committed to bringing more multimedia knowledge to readers.