I thought I was confident when I started making videos online – and I was, to a point. My confidence level has grown; or at least my ability to act confident. I could attribute this to life in general, being a mother, or numerous other things; but a good portion of it is because of video blogging.
Here are 8 ways that video blogging has helped me:
1. I’m more conscious of my looks. It’s not as bad as when I was a teenager and didn’t go anywhere without a comb/brush; but it’s so-o much better than when my kids were babies and I couldn’t even find my brush. After all, I never know when I will want to capture the moment on video. If it’s a good moment of course I’ll want to share it.
2. This leads me right into the clothes category. While I’m not, never have been, and probably never will be a fashionista I’m more careful with my clothes. I think about colors that compliment me and look well on camera. I stopped wearing the t-shirts that I got in high school. Some days I plan my clothes so I don’t have to change to make a video and some days it’s just a possibility.
3. Video blogging gives me a reason to exercise and watch what I eat. I did so much better with a diet when I was pregnant and had a big incentive [also known as L&D] to watch what I ate. Knowing that I’m putting a video out there for the world to see gives me motivation. I’m in no way saying that you have to be a certain size to vlog; I’m saying that it’s something I think about.
4. I’ve improved my speaking skills. Before when I thought about speaking in front of a group of people I got re-all-y nervous. Now, it’s no problem; they’ve seen me on video after all. It’s also..um.. made me more …um…aware of fillers and…um…stuff like that.
5. When I make a good video I want a lot of people to see it so I’ve been forced to learn more about marketing. Where and how should I distribute my video? How do I get people back to my site? I’ve learned to be bold and say, “Please subscribe to my newsletter. I’ve got a free ebook for you and I’ll keep you updated.”
6. As I watch other videos there are things that I want to duplicate so I have to up my technical skills. The new camera that makes videos so much better had a bit of a learning curve. The software with all the fancy whirligigs and doodads takes a bit of learning time also. The client says, “Can you do this?” and I reply, “I’ll learn.” I’m not at geek status, but I know so much more than I used to.
7. Part of those better technical skills is videography. I haven’t been to school for videography, but I’ve learned a whole lot through searching, reading, watching, questioning, and trying.
8. Last, but not least – I have better people skills. Practice helps with anything and interacting with more people makes for better people skills. I go live every Friday and interact with anyone that comes. Plus I’ve attended conferences that I never would have even thought of before video blogging. There’s a comfort in editing and putting out just what I want to release that isn’t there for real life, but it’s a stepping stone.
Add to all that a supportive husband and family and you can see how my confidence level is definitely higher than it was in 2007.
Has video blogging helped your confidence?
Are you still trying to get enough confidence to publish a video of yourself?
Stop over-thinking it. Stuff that perfectionism in a corner and just vlog it!
Possibly Related posts:
Nice, nice, nice post Jendi! I have to agree with you on all these points too. I can’t think of anything else but I see myself having improved for all these things too.
It’s been way toooo long since I’ve vlogged and I think one of the reasons is lately I just haven’t been feeling the energy to get up, get on a nice outfit and put on some makeup. But you’ve motivated me to start planning and get out of this funk I’ve been in.
I really like this post and I was wondering if you would mind if I posted it on my blog too with a direct link back to you of course. Let me know what you think, I think my readers would like it!
Angela
Angela Wills´s last [type] ..What University Pays YOU to Learn Year After Year
[Reply]
Jendi Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Thank you for your nice comment. I would be honored if you would link to it from your site.
I’ve been through times of funk too. Hope you got your vlogging mojo going again.
[Reply]