How to Vlog Without Being Shy

One thing that nobody tells you about vlogging is that talking in front of the camera can be awkward, really awkward.

No matter if you are an introvert or an extrovert, vlogging is very hard at the beginning. Even the most outgoing people are shy when they try to speak on camera.

So, what can we do to overcome that shyness?

Well, in this article I’ll share 8 tips to help you feel more confident in front of the camera, both at home and in public.

Just remember that there are no magic formulas and no one becomes a vlogging master overnight, but if you practice and keep all of these things in mind, you’ll notice great progress in your videos.

Let’s get started!

Don’t judge yourself

First of all, you need to have the right mindset: people don’t care about you as much as you think. So, don’t judge yourself and do your thing!

I know that’s easier said than done, but you have to make that effort.

I think we all have fear of judgment when we’re new at something, not just vlogging. And we end up filling our heads with negative thoughts that won’t let us move forward.

When we start vlogging, it’s normal to feel silly talking in front of the camera, especially if it’s in public (what a nightmare!).

We think people are looking at us, saying in their heads that we’re making fools of ourselves because vlogging is dumb and we should look for a “real job”.

But… no. Nobody is thinking that.

People are too busy living their lives while you live yours. They don’t really care that much about what you’re doing.

I mean, do you even care if you see someone in the street taking a selfie? Or if you see an Instagram story of someone talking about what they’re eating? Of course not! You see that and then go on with your life.

Practice in your room or in any place where you can be alone

If you feel too awkward when vlogging, the best thing you can do is practice a lot. That’s the only way you’ll really overcome shyness.

Record yourself talking in a place where you can be alone. You can do it at your home or maybe while walking around your neighborhood at some point in the day when there are not many people around.

See this as a “practice vlog”. Record yourself, watch the footage, and then delete it. This way you’ll get used to being in front of the camera much faster.

Additionally, you’ll be able to notice what things you need to fix when you speak.

…And what kind of things can those be?

For example, too many fillers (like “um” or “eh”) can be distracting for your audience, and can make people lose interest in what you’re saying. The same happens when you don’t look at the camera.

With this, I am not saying that you should become a professional speaker to keep your audience engaged, but if you take the time to eliminate some bad habits, your videos will be much better.

The excess of fillers, moving our hands a lot, or not looking at the camera, are just signs that we are very nervous. But don’t worry! It will get better.

Doing this exercise several times will help you identify all those little details and make you feel more comfortable when vlogging.

Write a script or bullet points

Sometimes we want to say a lot of things, but when we get in front of the camera we forget half of it. Or maybe we start talking but then we get sidetracked and end up saying random stuff that has nothing to do with the original subject.

Whatever the case may be, the point is that when the camera makes us nervous, we feel lost… and it shows.

It’s very frustrating.

For that reason, you should always write a script or bullet points before you start recording.

This way you make sure to keep your ideas (and your vlog) organized, which will help you feel more confident when you talk.

With a script, you will be clear about what you want to say without leaving anything out or talking too much. You go straight to the point with a well-defined intention so as not to confuse your audience.

And, if you are going to be vlogging in public, write some bullet points with the topics you want to talk about. Write it on your cellphone so you can have it always in your pocket.

Keep it short

This point is related to the previous one. Not only do you have to plan what you are going to say, but you also have to be brief and focus on what will really bring something positive to your audience.

Too many unnecessary details or trying to over-explain things can make a vlog super boring, so be careful with that!

This tip is super useful for vlogging in public because it will minimize the time you’ll be speaking in front of the camera. You’ll know when to record, why, and what you’re going to say.

Also, in public places, it will be much more comfortable to record the entire vlog with short sentences.

I mean, just imagine how awkward it would be to say a 5-minute monologue in the middle of a supermarket…

So, remember: have a well-organized script and try to say more with fewer words!

Show confidence and speak loud

If you’re going to vlog, be bold and project your voice!

No matter if you’re at home or in public, speak loud and be the best version of yourself. Even if you are dying of embarrassment inside.

If you’re at home, take advantage of the fact that you are in a comfortable and controlled space to say and do what you want (following your script of course!).

And, if you are vlogging in the street, make it obvious, because it will be much more awkward to speak softly and try to do it secretly.

Oh, and if some people come up to you and ask you what you’re doing, take it as an opportunity to promote yourself. Talk to them about your channel and what you’re recording.

They’re not judging you, they’re just curious! So, be nice and friendly to those people, because you might get a new subscriber.

All of this leads us to the next point:

Think about your audience

Every content creator should take their audience as a priority. Once you understand this, it will be much easier to take some risks and show confidence on camera.

In other words, when you think about what people would like to hear and see from you, you will be “forced” (in a good sense) to overcome shyness to reach your audience most effectively.

Thinking about your audience will also help you to better structure your content because you will be focused on serving the needs of your viewers.

And when I say “needs”, that can be entertainment, product reviews, tutorials, information or education on some topics, etc.

The important thing is that you understand that you have a responsibility to the people who follow you and that you must make an effort to make your community grow.

Work with friends and/or other creators

One way to get used to talking in front of the camera is with a good company.

Having your friends close and focused on the same thing as you will give you more confidence when vlogging, especially if you’re in the street.

By the way, if you’re going to vlog in public for the first time, have a friend with you. That will make the experience much better because most of your insecurities will be gone.

It’s worth noting that you can have a small crew of close friends with you and they don’t necessarily have to appear in the videos, but the only fact of having them around will make you feel better.

However, having many faces in your videos can make your channel more fun to watch, and if you work with other creators you can reach even more people.

Just Vlog!

The last tip I want to share with you is just vlog. Seriously, DO IT!

You’re too shy? Do it with shyness. Do it until you feel comfortable.

I could write an entire book with 1000 tips for vlogging, but if you don’t practice, you won’t get better.

Besides, the best way to improve your videos is by learning from your own experience. Because maybe, what works for some people is not the same that works for you.

Don’t overthink, don’t judge yourself; just go ahead and start recording! The more you practice, the more progress you’ll see.

To be a successful creator, be confident about your ideas and skills, write a good script, and remember that your audience comes first. Then, the rest will come with time and effort.

Would you add more tips to the list?