Newsletter #18: Lights, camera, double chin! Plus, video making resources
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In the last couple years, I’ve become, what some people might describe as, pleasantly plump. This causes some looking inward, especially when confronted with pictures. The picture of me in my mind … is it the same as the one in a picture or video?
Not always.
Even when I was skinny, a bad photo could leave me with a double chin. So, for years, I was confident that it was a trick. I didn’t really have a double chin—the camera did that.
But now that I’m a chubby freelance ghostwriter who puts pictures and videos out there to promote myself, I’ve had to come to terms with a couple of things. For one, I really do have a double chin, even with great lighting.
I suppose I could, for vanity sake, do that trick where you stick your neck and head forward. That’s fine for a picture but for a whole video? No thanks.
Instead, I’m learning about what other things I can do to look personable and professional on video. It’s a work in progress that involves lighting, a decent background of my bookcase, a lapel mic and turning up the enthusiasm to clown-like level which, for an introvert, brings the final result down to normal.
Even with this double chin, I’m getting more comfortable recording videos on my iPad and pleased with how they turn out.
Video is a great way to expand your thought leadership program because it’s so personal. It helps your audience get a feel for you right away. It can help you connect with your connections on LinkedIn in a way that posting a link to your latest article just doesn’t.
But I know some professional folks are intimidated by it. They think they don’t have the right equipment or don’t know what to say. Dare I say that’s simply a load of crock?
For tech, you can start with your smart phone and a lapel mic or headset with mic (because audio matters). For topics, you can start by answering questions you get asked regularly. (On my video to-do list is answering the question, “No offense, but isn’t ghostwriting unethical?” which I get asked surprisingly often.)
But if you’re thinking of becoming the star of your own homemade videos (the workplace-appropriate kind) and you don’t know where to start, I want you to know that you don’t have to do it alone.
Resources for making videos to attract clients on LinkedIn
My colleague, Vanessa Holding of Arc + Crown Media, has just put together a course for thought leadership professionals about this very subject. It’s called Attract Clients with Do-it-yourself LinkedIn Videos. Vanessa is the founder and executive producer at Arc + Crown Media and is crazy about video. Crazy in a she-does-amazing-work way. Vanessa and her team have produced projects for big names like the Egg Farmers of Ontario, TransCanada and Home Depot. Plus, she’s kind, generous and down to earth.
I haven’t taken this course yet, but I have benefitted from Vanessa’s tips on a 1:1 basis so that’s why I’m confident sharing this resource with you.
The best part of this course is you’re not entirely on your own. You get the lessons and two coaching calls during the program to give you feedback on how you’re applying the lessons.
The Attract Clients with Do-it-yourself LinkedIn Videos course outline is:
Step 1: Shopping List (recommended purchases to make your videos look professional while filming on your phone).
Step 2: Filming Impressive Videos
Step 3: Great Content
Step 4: Test Your Filming Skills
Step 5: Coaching Call #1
Step 6: Re-test Your Skills
Step 7: Editing Impressive Videos
Step 8: Test your Editing Skills
Step 9: Coaching Call #2
Step 10: Join Our Online Community
To learn more about this video course or to sign up, take a look at the course description page here.
If you’re interested in looking good on camera but not quite ready to take a course, check out the article and video called How to Get Started Shooting Budget-Friendly Videos on a Smartphone. This video is presented by Andrew Gu, a film producer at Arc + Crown Media.
As an executive ghostwriter who writes articles for other people for a living, should I be telling you to do video? Well, words and pictures are complimentary, so I feel good about it.
Plus, I know people want to get on this video trend because it’s not going away. And I know from my own buying decisions and personal entertainment choices that video is powerful for making connections.
For you, as a professional, why not enhance your thought leadership efforts with video? Even if you’re self-conscious about your long, graceful neck and chiseled bone structure, you too can look and sound great on video.
Until next time, keep on truckin’,
Andrea
PS: If you’d rather have a professional film, edit and produce your business videos, connect with Vanessa directly on LinkedIn here.
Comic relief
If you’ve ever been around men, women or computers, you’ll get some chuckles from this two-minute video.
Epic tunes
The Game of Thrones Theme Song | Custom Shop | Fender
First two minutes, rockers planning awesomeness. Last five minutes, guitars shredding. If you like the GOT theme song and rock n roll, you'll like this.
Notes from the Rebel Alliance
Vandana Shiva 'Bill Gates is continuing the work of Monsanto', Vandana Shiva tells FRANCE 24
Vandana Shiva is an environmental activist in India known for her advocacy for seed-saving and food sovereignty which protects local farmers against poverty. Vandana says, “The entry of corporations into agriculture is so wrong because the corporations only bring poisons.”
And in the rest of the interview, Vandana talks about the results of GMO seeds coming to India and how the people in some communities cleaned up the mess with traditional seed saving methods. This interview is positive and no-nonsense. Vandana is a real hero doing real work that helps real people make good lives off the land, without poisons.
60-second commercial
I'm an executive ghostwriter, specializing in benefits, leadership coaching, corporate wellness and employee assistance programs (EAPs).
I work with executives and executive coaches who have big hearts, are driven to help others and never open a conversation they're not willing to close.
My clients are straightforward, ambitious, humble, hilarious and I never have to wonder what they're thinking because they say what they mean and mean what they say.
If you're a tough-love executive or executive coach who would benefit from the kind of work I do, please get in touch:
andrea@redsailwriters.com | 647-502-3187 | ca.linkedin.com/in/andreabassett
Let's talk about these thought leadership projects in 2021:
Newsletters | White papers + e-books | Ghostwritten articles
Workbooks to supplement corporate training
Business book ghostwriting (fall 2021, early 2022)