A connection recently shared with me a very slick video editing software product, pitched at businesses and executives to help them easily make content to promote their company.
It was a great app! Basically anything that simplifies the process of making professional-looking videos is totally my jam. The more you can learn to do yourself, the better.
But.. like many similar apps, this one also included an autocue feature, or prompter. This is a feature I’m less jazzed about.
Where many see a handy way to deliver large chunks of information with accuracy, I see a big old red light and a threat to your professional credibility. You see, autocue might look easy, but its actually really difficult to get right.
The presenters you see using it on TV each night often have:
years of practice
great writers
a least a couple of rehearsals
Its literally their job to make using reading and engaging with the lens at the same time look easy!
Here’s the thing, it isn’t. And if you fail, you’ll look like you’re just reading - and that lack of engagement with the lens will cost you an opportunity to make your viewer (who could just be your dream client) feel something!
You know that feeling when someone really reaches you with their words?
Its like they’ve cracked open your head and read the contents back to you.
Its like they’re speaking directly to you.
And you’re the only one in the room!
Why sacrifice an opportunity to make a profound connection for the sake of a word perfect delivery?
One of the goals of the Confidence on Camera program is to banish autocue, because you've honed the art of not just 'remembering' long pieces of content, but of being in the moment, connecting, and making your viewer feel like you truly understand them.
The results are far more natural and do wonderful things for your professional credibility.
Check out a video I recently shared to my Facebook & LinkedIn pages if you’d like to explore these ideas further.