If you haven’t watched our video (read our blog) on the 5 Best Methods of Delivering Your Message, and how to choose, I highly recommend it.
But regardless of the method you use to deliver the message, it is extremely important to be mindful of bad habits you may not even know you have.
I once took an online class where the instructor had a habit of making a smacking noise during pauses. The content was great, but I quit the course because I couldn’t stand listening to that smacking noise any longer.
- Smacking and other noises. This includes sniffling, loud breathing, clearing your throat, and yes, I actually worked with someone who unknowingly belched several times while speaking. He had no idea he was doing it. And it goes beyond noises. Excessive eye blinking, or not blinking at all are also common. And lip licking is also a big one. When you get nervous, you get thirsty and you lick your lips (often without realizing it). Keep a glass of room-temperature water nearby and consider putting on a little lip balm before recording. Notice I said water and not soda… going back to the belching example.
- Crutch words – So um, this one time, uh, I um I recorded someone who like uses uh like you know who uses a lot of uh you know those uhhh those crutch words. When you use crutch words, people still understand what you’re saying. The brain has a way of filtering out unnecessary words. But this causes 2 problems. (1) the viewer’s brain has to do additional work in order to listen to you. This can make them feel tired and less motivated, especially over time. And (2) their brain is in “filter” mode, not listen mode. Wouldn’t’ you rather have them hanging on every word? – if this is a problem for you, 2 things – 1. Practice and listen to yourself for those crutch words. You’ll learn to stop. 2. Try scripting. – record yourself giving your message, then transcribe it without the crutch words, then read the script for your video. Same message, no crutch words. (This may also help you break the habit.)
- When you’re trying to tell a story, which is good because people like stories, and I always try to make sure that my short videos contain some sort of stories because people find them interesting, but then sometimes you can start talking about one thing and then it reminds of something else or you want to explain more about what you were talking about, knowing that when you’re done explaining you can get back to what you were saying, but… Oh yeah, Off-Putting habit number 4 – rambling. Try to stay on topic. If you have more to say, make another video. It’s difficult for a viewer to follow you on a tangent and back again.
Whether you’re making the videos for fun or for business, you want your viewers to enjoy watching your videos. Otherwise, they won’t watch.
Check out our VideoPalooza events to record your videos professionally, and with the help and support of an expert.
I’m Samantha Naes with CN Video, because CN is Believin.