By Megan Garmers, The Bridal Masterclass

 

You’ve heard it’s important to be on TikTok and Instagram Reels, but do you find it hard to actually get yourself in front of the camera?

You are not alone when it comes to feeling self-conscious in front of the camera.

Is my hair ok?

Why do I make that weird expression?

How many times do I have to keep doing the same take?

I look awkward.

Do I really look like THAT?

It is not only common but it is completely normal to have these thoughts race through your mind and paralyze you from creating and/or posting short-form video to your social media. That said, to make sure your business continues to evolve and meet brides where they are, you do need to be willing to do different things to get a different result. Video marketing is definitely one of these things.

So how can you boost your camera confidence to actually create AND post videos to TikTok and IG Reels? Try these 6 steps.

• Poll your friends
• Know your best angles
• Set up lighting, background
• Plan it out
• Don’t overthink it
• Practice

Poll Your Friends

Who knows you best? Who has seen you looking your best and looking your worst?

Once you have an idea of who the right people are to poll, ask them some questions:

-What is your favorite expression of mine?

-Do I have a better side/way of standing?

-What outfit or type of clothing do you think looks best on me?

-What hairstyle/makeup look do you think looks best on me?

Let them know you are trying to plan out doing video content for your social media and you want to make sure you look your best.

Afterwards, think about what common answers were given. While you don’t have to do what they suggested, understand that your view of yourself is more skewed than their view of you. Also remember that the videos you will be creating are not for you. Think of your audience and how they will view the videos. Their view of you will most likely not be your view of you.

Know Your Best Angles

Do you ever wonder why some photos make you look like the picture was taken in a fun house with distorted mirrors?

It’s not you. It’s the camera.

For the camera to get a wider shot, the lens has to be curved – which can mean part of the photo is not true to real life.

Knowing the best angle of your camera/phone, whether it is in selfie (front facing) or regular (rear facing) mode, where you are in the frame of the video, and are you looking up/down/straight on are all important things to consider to work with the camera on your phone.

Investing in a tripod, phone clamp, selfie stick, etc. are all good ways to try out different angles, heights and stances to make sure you are aware of how you can look your best.

Set Up Lighting and Background

Have you ever taken a video or photo where it makes your eyes look sunken in?

This isn’t because your eyes are sunken but rather because of the direction of the light on your face and the shadow it casts. Your face isn’t a 2-dimensional surface. There are parts that stick out/in and knowing how to light your face to best show it is key for video so people can see you, look into your eyes, and feel connected to you and what you are saying.

Video allows for viewers to feel like the person in the video is talking directly to them. This means you literally get a chance to have a 1:1 conversation with your potential clients.

Knowing the best background for your videos is also important so that there isn’t too much competing with you as well as not so much empty space that you end up looking too big/small in a vast space.

Plan It Out

This step is often overlooked when thinking about creating video content because when you view TikToks or IG Reels, you are only seeing the finished product so in your mind, you are thinking that it must have been done in one take. They must have just turned on their phone, started recording and spontaneously knew what to say/do without having any mistakes.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Knowing what to do, what you want to say, what text you want on your video (if any), what music, what template, what message, what audience – all of this is crucial to knowing what you will be doing on camera. And like anything else, knowing what to do, what to expect, what it should look like, etc. are all super helpful in being more confident whether you are on camera or not.

Think of the gowns you carry. Knowing the designers, the features, the cuts, the price points, those are all important parts to having the confidence to sell an expensive dress.

Knowing allows you not use your brain bandwidth on the technical aspects so you can use it on your presentation of the content.

Don’t Overthink It

I love the quote, “Done is better than perfect.”

While you want to be prepared, you don’t need to devote your life to getting the perfect take. You have a business to run, clients to service, and family/friends.

Set aside time to tape the content and if it’s not perfect, that’s ok.

The great thing is the more you do it, the better you will get at it.

Practice

By practice, I don’t mean doing multiple takes (though you will most likely do multiple takes).

When I am talk about practicing, I mean to try it out. Try out the verbiage, try out the lighting, try out the background, try out the taping of the video.

Working out the logistics with the purpose of confirming the logistics (not to necessarily create the content you will use) allows you to focus on one thing at a time. It also allows you to get more comfortable in front of the camera and more comfortable with being objective about the content and less critical about how you look or feel on camera.

Instagram and TikTok are not going away, and it is where the marrying age of people are hanging out. Nearly half of Gen Z is using TikTok and Instagram for search instead of Google. Millennials and Gen Z use Instagram about 30 minutes per day and TikTok 52 minutes per day and most users use the platforms daily.

Your next client is already there waiting to connect with a brand who will help them navigate through their bridal fashion buying experience. It can either be with you or someone else.

If you find yourself thinking, “This makes sense, but I’m still confused,” feel free to email me to schedule a free 15-minute consult to help you get started on the right path: hello@thebridalmasterclass.com