Are you still not sure you should be on camera? Maybe you should just focus on your voice alone? It’s perfectly possible to create video that doesn’t focus on somebody standing right in front of the camera. Here are a few of the most popular:
1. Screen capture software. Maybe you focus on creating instructional videos about certain items of software or tools and therefore a good idea for you might be to create an on-screen tutorial or demo. There are a variety of free and low-cost screen capture software, including Jingproject.com (which offers a free and paid version) and Camtasia (at camstudio.org for the free version and http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp for a paid upgrade). You simply record what’s going on, on your desktop, and create an audio narration to accompany it. You don’t have to worry about what you look like!
2. Consider slideshows. These don’t have to be as boring as those endless PowerPoint presentations that you probably remember from some corporate meeting. But things have changed, and with basic slideshow software (you don’t HAVE to use PowerPoint!) you can use still photos, graphics, and other images to create a smooth-flowing, entertaining video. Try Animoto.com, but first check your computer for Windows Movie Maker or iMovie on your Mac. You may already have all you need.
Here are some examples:
• For an example of an engaging slideshow video, watch this short intro from VMF at http://vimeo.com/11722761 . Even though neither is on camera, it’s still good.
• Another slideshow type video that has taken the web by storm is: http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/animal-school-movie/ (If you’ve got kids, watch this.) This video doesn’t even have a verbal script.
3. Regular photos. Maybe you don’t want to be on camera and don’t feel up to creating a slideshow either and in this case you could just focus on a single image alone. I don’t recommend this option for longer videos, as it’s not very interesting to sit and stare at an unchanging screen, but it certainly is better than nothing!
These are some options to get you started and are certainly better than not taking any action at all, but in the long run people want to see and get to know you and ultimately you’re going to have to take the plunge and get in front of the camera.
Finally, have a good idea about what you want to achieve before you start. Look for examples online and make a note of what you really like about them. Are they all female spokespeople? Are they shot indoors? Do they employ humor? Make a list so you can convey these points to your actor. Knowing what you’re looking for beforehand will make it easier to know when you’ve got it! So whether you’re looking to become virtual assistant now, or you’re thinking to become virtual assistant in future, or even if you’ve already had some sort of training in how to become virtual assistant, drop by for a visit and see for yourself what other like-minded people have to say within the extraordinary field of Virtual Assistance!
Whatever you do, don’t let your quest for perfection get in the way of you actually shooting video. Do the best you can with what you have on-hand, and don’t delay until you lose 10 lbs., get a haircut, or buy new clothes. Do it now! If you procrastinate anymore you will just get more and more nervous and put too much pressure on yourself to come up with that “perfect” result.