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One size does not fit all when it comes to creators. Welcome to the Muthership Creator Strategy. I think we all know this, but it came really, really hard and fast on me this week during our studio hours meeting because I was using one of our studio members' video to demonstrate how to improve her speaking video. And one of our more seasoned creators asked the question, should I be covering up my speaking videos with overlays? And that is when it really hit me.
Helen:And I know this deep down because I'm always giving specific advice and I don't give blanket advice usually. I'll suggest things. You should look at the camera, not at yourself. There are some there's some advice that is more blanket meant for everyone advice. But when it comes to the styles of creators, what works for one person might not work for someone else.
Helen:And that's obvious. Yes. But now we're gonna get into the nuances of that. So one might say, well, when you have a speaking video, to keep people more engaged, it's a good idea to put overlays on and represent the things you're talking about. But if the person speaking is a very seasoned storyteller and is really engaging on camera, that doesn't apply as much as it would for someone who is more stiff on camera, a little nervous, maybe reading a teleprompter, reading from a teleprompter, trying to get the words right, and therefore doesn't look as natural speaking on camera.
Helen:And when that happens, it is helpful to cut away or overlay something on top so it takes away the the viewer looking, staring at the person the whole time when they maybe weren't feeling that comfortable on camera so that it becomes a little more obvious that they're not as relaxed. And so the the lesson I was teaching, which was really helpful, was like if you're gonna be a UGC creator and you're talking about all the types of content that you provide, you should be showing that content when you're talking about it. So it was pretty obvious that in those cases, there should be overlays. But because this person was more new at speaking on camera and was clearly reading from a teleprompter and didn't seem as relaxed, I was suggesting to her to put more overlays on some of the beginning, and finding different shots that would enhance what she was saying without having to be her b roll that she was going to use later. So that's when it hit me.
Helen:You know, we can, we, meaning maybe experts in the field, can give advice, but we also have to take into consideration who the advice is going to and what their personality is. What is their strength on camera? Are they good at speaking on camera? Are they nervous? Should they be starting a little bit more off camera until they get more comfortable?
Helen:So there's things that happen as you evolve as a creator. I look back at my first videos, and I was so timid talking on camera, and I'm like, oh my god, what was I so I clearly looked I wasn't nervous, but I looked not as confident. And I didn't sound as confident. So I look back at those videos and I'm thinking, shoot, I could have been helped with some of my own advice by putting overlays on when I wasn't feeling as confident on camera. But, you know, we live and learn and we proceed and as creators do that, the successful creators will be relentless and they will keep going anyway.
Helen:But and it and won't let those things stop, stop the person. But there are some people who will get discouraged. They don't like the views, or they're not feeling they're not feeling as comfortable on camera, so then they start posting less. And there are different strategies you can use to help your videos when you're not feeling as confident. And that is what I was focused on so much in this week's lesson.
Helen:It was really valuable, and I was it was almost like the perfect thing landed in my lap before the lesson because one of the creators had posted in the studio saying, can someone comment on this? What do you think? And then she was asking for advice. And I said, can I use her in the studio this week? Because I thought it would be a great way to show how she, as a fairly new person speaking on camera, could improve her speaking videos so that she can get UGC gigs.
Helen:And this editing style would really, really help her to get those gigs because it would make her she'd look more relaxed on camera, and then she'd know how to deliver content to the brands that also looks more relaxed, even though she's maybe reading from a teleprompter or thinking in a more of a scripted way. Alright. So that is holy hell. That was a lot. But that is really, what I mean when I say it's not one size fits all.
Helen:Because what would be good for Carla, who is the seasoned creator, who's really confident on camera, she you want to watch her. So I demonstrated in the studio how to change that. And the before and after was night and day because it really showed how you could not see her nervousness on camera. So it was a really good lesson and it also proved that what fits for one creator does not necessarily fit for another creator. And beyond that, if I had given the same advice to two creators who were even equally on the same level, they would have had come up with different ways of doing it.
Helen:So nothing is this is the answer, this is the formula, and that's why I get so crazy with people that are saying you have to start with this and then do that and then do this and then do that. And it's like, okay. That doesn't work for everyone. It's really about your strength and what you're good at, and then what you're feeling the most comfortable doing on camera. That's what makes your videos better.
Helen:I had such a good testimonial this week. Hold on. I'm gonna read it because it's so worth it. And I'm not saying it's testimonial. I'm saying that one of the studio members wrote me a note and said something that was so I loved it because it was so, just to me, was like a personal message.
Helen:And she says, when I started, I genuinely thought I'd be the person doing voiceovers safely behind the camera. Showing my face was uncomfortable and creating content in public? Absolutely not. Watching you film downtown in New York, me, completely comfortable creating in the middle of everything, has actually challenged me little by little. I started pushing through those insecurities, hitting the post button, showing my face, practicing instead of overthinking, and yes, even becoming the grocery store weirdo filming content in public.
Helen:I still have a long way to go, but that's probably my biggest win from this month in the studio. I'm becoming comfortable being seen. I thought I was joining here to learn how to create your style of cool content. I didn't realize the process would also change me. Thank you.
Helen:And I'm gonna say her name because Casey, thank you. That was such a cool message. And I haven't stopped thinking about it, and I took a screenshot of it because I just wanna remember because when she said being seen, she doesn't even know that one of the biggest reasons I started, what I've started here, and when I first got online and put myself out there was I wanted people to feel seen. I wanted to help people feel seen. And especially as we get older and we become more and more invisible, separate topic, but you know, it's true.
Helen:And as women, in particular, when we get older, we do feel like we are not seen for the in the same way that we have been our whole life. And it's it's a challenge when you're going through that. So this was the big part of what my North Star is, is to help people feel seen. So I didn't realize how much that was gonna happen in such a big way and that somebody actually used those words in a message to me was like chef's kiss. Anyway, this is proof that someone who doesn't even think they want to be on camera suddenly sees themself in a different light.
Helen:And it has always been, I guess, an exciting part of the process for me to see when that little shift happens in someone. And I remember when it happened in me and I thought I used to not really like to see myself on camera and now I'm so used to it that exposure therapy has kind of fixed me in a way. And I do think when we see ourselves on camera and we have to edit and fix our videos, we become more accepting of ourselves. That's the main thing. So just to review what makes a good speaking video is when you're watching the person and you're not ready to scroll away.
Helen:So that means they are either engaging enough to keep you or whatever's happening on the screen while they're talking is engaging enough to keep you. So whether that's putting text that comes up so your eye is looking at text coming on or overlays or photos or stickers, not to an annoying degree, but keeping people engaged and not staring at you if you're looking uncomfortable on camera, putting some overlays, putting some b roll. Those are the are the tricks and the tips, but they are different for each person. So it's not a every person should put text, stickers, and overlays on. No.
Helen:No. Some people can just tell a story and be on camera the whole time with minimal edits and still keep people listening, and others can't. So you have to look at your really truly look at your videos from a third party perspective and say, would I sit and watch this or I just think it's good because it's me. Okay? You have to be honest with yourself.
Helen:Maybe you wanna, you know, beta test it with a friend that would be honest with you and say, you think I should edit this? I know that, a lot of times I would ask Julie to look at my videos and she'd go, oh, you can you can edit that. You can make that shorter. So that was a good benchmark for me. Know she's not going to lie to me.
Helen:And I also know she won't she knows that I wouldn't be insulted if she was truthful. So you've got to have that buddy system potentially. The buddy system for you guys is obviously in the studio. Put your videos there. We're going to be honest.
Helen:We're going to tell you. I will give you guidance. That's why you've joined. So if you're interested in that, post in the community chat, share your videos, and try and get some feedback to make yourself feel that you're progressing. The main takeaway today should be this isn't a permanent thing that you do.
Helen:If you are currently thinking, I need to cover up some of my content. I'm feeling nervous on camera. You go. Put some b roll on. Make sure you're feeling like the content is looking confident.
Helen:But you can reassess. As you go by, after two months, you're looking back at your videos, am I getting more confident? Do I look more comfortable? Am I relaxed? Am I more loose?
Helen:Can I stay on my shots a little longer? You have to become your best judge of yourself. And, again, you can use the community chat. Am I you know, do I look confident in this video, or do I look nervous? Because we'll tell you.
Helen:We'll tell you the truth. You just want to make sure that all because you are starting with one style of video, you can evolve that style. Just like Casey has said she thought she was gonna do voice over videos. Next thing you know, she's speaking on camera in a grocery store. This is what I love to see.
Helen:Evolution. Because that means motion, progress, and you're not stuck in one place. So the best advice is to just look at your videos and think, do I need more editing? Do I need less editing? Am I over editing?
Helen:And get a buddy system going, put it in the community chat, and and ask for an honest feedback. Just do you think this video is too long? Do you think this video is too cuddy? Whatever you are concerned about, if you put it into the chat and you add your note, you will get feedback on that. And you'll get feedback from people who care about you, who like to watch your content and want to see you level up because we're all working together.
Helen:And that's what makes it way more special. Alright. That's it for today. Don't take it too hard. Be kind to yourself and know that every day that you post, things will continue to improve.
Helen:And that's what you need to know. Just keep going, and you'll look back and think, wow. I made a lot of progress since last year. Just keep going. And I'll see you next week.
Helen:Bye.