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January 26, 2012
Choosing the right on-camera presenter
It’s a remarkable thing to hear the thoughts, opinions, and stories of people as they filter into our office on a daily basis. The great strength of Snippies is that our interviews give real people everywhere a chance to express themselves, and, in effect, paint a bigger picture.
However, not every project we do is strictly interview-based. Often, clients will approach us with something more formal in mind. Maybe they’ll need to communicate with another company branch halfway across the world… Or say hello to the attendees of an important conference… Or perhaps they’re addressing potential business partners. Whatever the case may be, there will come a time when any company needs to select a spokesperson to give that important direct-to-camera address.
What makes someone an effective on-camera presenter? It’s difficult to define. Even people who have years of experience as public speakers or PowerPoint presenters can find delivering a message directly to camera a daunting task. Something about appearing in front of a lens changes everything!
Bearing that in mind, we’ve assembled a list of three helpful tips that can give any company with a need for this kind of a video a great head start:
1. Cast Wisely. Give some thought as to who should give the address. In particular, consider someone who doesn’t mind being the center of attention. If they also have a good speaking voice then you’ve already won half of the battle. You can even cold call people in your own office to get a sense of their delivery. Don’t keep them on the line too long, though. They’re busy!
2. Practice. This one is for the on-camera talent. Rehearsal really does make all the difference. Don’t go into the presentation cold. Be sure to get a copy of the script and read it beforehand. Do a test run in front of a mirror or even your camera phone so that you can review your own performance. If possible, work with someone you trust to write the copy yourself. This will be a big plus because, when the time comes, you’ll be delivering your own words instead of just reading from a teleprompter.
3. Relax! Remember – you have the luxury of multiple takes. No one expects perfection the first, or even the second, time. Be sure to have a bottle of water nearby so that you can stay hydrated under the lights. And don’t be afraid to take it slow. No need to rush through things. Clear delivery is always better than fast delivery!
And, most importantly, remember that you can always rely on “secret” tip number four… hire an On-Site Snippies Producer! Let them worry about tips 1, 2 and 3, plus a million other details you haven’t thought of. Like, for instance, whether or not the spokesperson’s collar is buttoned, or if the sound of the copier next door is being picked up by the microphone, or if your original choice for presenter can’t make it and you have to select someone else on the fly.
Whatever the case, whatever the challenge, a Snippies producer will coach the talent and elicit the best performance so that your message is loud and clear. And, ultimately, isn’t that the most important thing?