Camera Ready with Val Brown

Key messages are the top 3-5 key ideas you want your audience to know about your product, topic or issue.

Your visual and verbal messages need to align with your brand.

Learn a simple process to identify and create your key messages to make sure you are communicating the right message to your audience.

When you use key messages, they

• Help you stay on track in implementing your communication or marketing plan
• Create consistency
• Help your audience gain a greater understanding of your product or topic

P.S. In this episode, I give you some cool tools to help you write effective key messages.

The number one reason I see keeping people from being on camera is the stories they tell themselves about themselves! They usually go something like I:

• hate the way I look on camera
• don't know what to say
• always forget what I'm going to say
• mess up and then people will think I'm stupid

I'll share some of the things I've learned about self limiting beliefs and how they hold us back from doing the very things we need to do to move us toward our goals and dreams. Especially, being on camera.

Learn about how you:

• choose your thoughts and shape your reality
• determine whether those thoughts are holding you back from your goals and dreams
• can reframe and re-write your story to increase your self awareness and confidence

Reference: Kary Oberbrunner

Resource: How to Rewrite Your Self-Limiting Beliefs

Photos and video are how people connect with you. And when there is a connection, it builds trust.Photos and video are how people connect with you. And when there is a connection, it builds trust.Finding a good photographer you are comfortable working with who "gets you" and your brand isn't always easy.Investing in a good set of headshots or personality shots can make a huge difference in your business.Last week's podcast was all about how to look your best.

This week's interview is with photographer Stephanie Marie.

Learn:

• Steps you need to take before calling a photographer
• What you should ask a prospective photographer
• Determining the process for your photo shoot

Stephanie also shares what she does to help her clients relax and look their best in front of the camera. Her interview is packed with useful information you can put to use right away.

Here's some of Stephanie's work - enjoy!

You need a good headshot whether it's for your LinkedIn profile, Facebook or Twitter, marketing materials, a website banner or personality shots for your website. And your headshot needs to support your brand visually and verbally.

When people look at your photo, they are looking for an emotional connection. Your headshot invites them to learn more, it says I'm approachable.

That emotional connection builds trust and that's why it's so important to have good headshot and the right photographer take them.

Learn about:

• defining the purpose for your photo shoot
• brainstorming and planning locations
• matching your camera presence supports your brand

Be sure to join us next week when I interview photographer Stephanie Marie about how to choose a photographer that's right for you and how to work with them to maximize your investment.

Reference:

John Lee Dumas

Ann Vertel

Resource:

Episode 5

Episode 6

Episode 8

Finding the threads in your story can be challenging, yet it is one of the most freeing things you can do. And, it's critical you get clear about this as you begin building your personal brand. Everything you do will pivot off of your story.

Learn about:

Why your story is important to your brand

How to find your story using a simple 3 step story structure

Why your story matters to your business going forward

To make it easier to get started I'm posting a story guide worksheet in the show notes to help you find the threads of your story.

Reference:

STORY SMART: Using the Science of Story to Persuade, Influence, Inspire, and Teach

STORY PROOF: The Science Behind the Startling Power of Story

Mike Kim

Resource:

Find Your Story Guide Worksheet

Wouldn't it be amazing to know how to use your nervous energy to fuel you, not hinder you when you are on camera?

Imagine how would it feel to be able to get in the right emotional place, where you can't wait to share your message - every time you are on camera?

Get clear about your on camera jitters and how to calm them.

Learn about:

why we get nervous

what you can do to get over it

exercises to help you crank up your energy.

It's a quick listen and you can pick up some tips to use right away in your next video or photo shoot.

When you know your purpose and have a plan - you can go from being shy and scared to feeling fearless and confident on camera every time!

References:Barbara Niven

Resource:Camera Ready Planner

Depending on the purpose and message for your video and photos, location makes a big difference.

Learn what you need know when you choose a location for your video or photo shoot including what:

• the location you choose says about your brand
• time of day is best to shoot a video or photos
• to do ahead of time before you select a location

Here are links to the videos I referenced in this podcast.

Mike Kim video

Jeff Walker

Looking good on camera consistently, whether it's for photos or video is all about paying attention to the details. There are definite things you can do to enhance your appearance and things you want to avoid.

You'll learn industry best practices for men and women from my 30 years working in television. Get practical information you can use right away about:

• hair
• make-up
• accessories

The tips in this podcast are for men and women. You can download your pdf below.

References: Amy Porterfield

Application

Resources - pdf download: How To Put Your Best Face Forward On Camera

Learn about how people judge you by what you are wearing, the importance of taking the time to plan your wardrobe and what to NEVER, ever wear on camera when you are shooting a marketing video and why.

These are tried and true guidelines that will help you when you are deciding what to wear in front of the camera. And once you know the rules, it's up to you to decide if you want to break them.

Your purpose, message and brand need to be in alignment and by taking some time to plan and following these guidelines, you can look and feel great in front of the camera.

References:

Chris Brogan

Gary Vaynerchuk

Michael Hyatt

Jasmine Star

Resources:

How to Prepare For Your Next Photo or Video Shoot

Learn about the elements that that create your on camera Presence and how you can ensure that you are in alignment with your brand.

• Learn about the visual, verbal and value aspects of presence
• Exercises you can do to define your brand presence
• How to ensure your authentic self shines through when you are in front of the camera.

If you aren't sure what your brand presence is, listen to today's podcast and go through the exercise to define your on camera presence in the .pdf download.

References:

Michael Hyatt

Jasmine Star

Resources:

Color Psychology

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