On-Camera Coach

On-Camera Coach

by Karin M. Reed
Released March 2017
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781119316039

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Book description

The invaluable handbook for acing your on-camera appearance

On-Camera Coach is your personal coach for becoming great on camera. From Skype interviews and virtual conferences to shareholder presentations and television appearances, this book shows you how to master the art of on-camera presentation to deliver your message clearly, effectively, and with confidence. Fear of public speaking is common, but even the most seasoned speakers freeze in front of a single lens—being on camera demands an entirely new set of skills above and beyond the usual presentation to an audience you can actually see. It requires special attention to the way you move, the way you speak, and even the way you dress. This book provides the guidance and tools you need to ace it every time.

Video is powerful, and it is everywhere; corporate YouTube channels, webinars, virtual meetings, TedTalks, and more are increasingly turning the lens on those who typically remain behind the scenes. This relatively recent trend will continue to expand as media plays a larger role in business, and the ability to appear confident, authoritative, and polished is becoming a necessary job skill. This book shows you everything you need to know about being on camera, from preparation through presentation and beyond.

  • Learn how to prepare for an on-camera appearance
  • Tailor your presentation to on-camera demands 
  • Discover how the camera interprets wardrobe and body language
  • Appear dynamic, confident, and engaged when the lens points your way

The lens captures everything—the awkward pauses, the nervous fidgets, poor posture, and every false start and mistake is captured for posterity. Is that the image you want to present? You want to get your message across and be heard; to do that, you must portray authority, energy, and confidence—even when you don't feel it. On-Camera Coach provides the expert instruction and insider secrets that help you make your message sing.

Table of contents

  1. Preface
  2. Acknowledgments
  3. Section One The Inescapable Reality—We All Have to Communicate through a Camera
    1. Chapter 1 Why You Need to Read This Book
      1. The Power and Pervasiveness of Video
      2. The Decline of the Professional Spokesperson
      3. The Global Communication Tool of Choice
      4. Hiring by Skype
      5. The Perils of Video
      6. How Reading This Book Can Improve Your On-Camera Performance
      7. Chapter Takeaways
      8. Notes
    2. Chapter 2 Why the Camera Changes Everything
      1. My “Aha!” Moment
      2. A Camera Changes Everything
      3. The Archenemy of Performance Success: You
      4. The Key to On-Camera Success: Authenticity
      5. Chapter Takeaways
  4. Section Two The MVPs of Performance Success
    1. Chapter 3 M—Mental Mind-set: The Prep before the Performance
      1. Reaching the Real Audience
      2. The Bottom Line: It's Not about You
      3. Chapter Takeaways
      4. Note
    2. Chapter 4 V—Vocal Variety: Pacing and Pausing with Purpose
      1. The Musicality of Your Delivery—What's Your Range?
      2. Setting Your Pace with the Viewer in Mind
      3. Finishing Your Thoughts
      4. Using the Power of the Pause
      5. The Lowdown on Uptalk
      6. Chapter Takeaways
      7. Note
    3. Chapter 5 P—Physical Factors: On-Camera Movement with Meaning
      1. On-Camera Gesturing: An Out-of-Body Experience
      2. Getting Familiar with Frame Size
      3. The Role of Off-Camera Movement
      4. Posture Pointers
      5. Making Eye Contact When You Can't See Your Audience
      6. Chapter Takeaways
      7. Notes
  5. Section Three Ready to Wear . . . or Not
    1. Chapter 6 Looking the Part—Wardrobe 101
      1. Match Audience Expectations
      2. Boring Is Best
      3. Spin the Color Wheel
      4. Putting on the Pounds
      5. Dress Right for the Mic
      6. Your Fifth Appendage: A Smartphone
      7. Additional Considerations for Men
      8. Chapter Takeaways
      9. Notes
    2. Chapter 7 Hair and Makeup
      1. Hair Hassles
      2. On-Camera Makeup Musts for Women
      3. What You Need in Your Kit
      4. Makeup for Men
      5. Glasses or No Glasses
      6. Chapter Takeaways
  6. Section Four Best Practices for Creating Your On-Camera Message
    1. Chapter 8 Organizing for the Ear
      1. The Rule of Three
      2. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
      3. Chapter Takeaways
      4. Note
    2. Chapter 9 Writing for the Spoken Word
      1. The Challenges of Reading Written Prose Aloud
      2. Why the Whisper Test Won't Work
      3. Writing Tip 1: Keep It Short
      4. Writing Tip 2: Don't Fear the Grammar Police
      5. Writing Tip 3: See Spot . . . Be Bored
      6. Exercises for Writing the Way You Speak
      7. Chapter Takeaways
      8. Note
  7. Section Five How to Read without Sounding Like You Are
    1. Chapter 10 Marking Your Script
      1. Step One: Smooth Out the Script
      2. Step Two: Add Phonetics Where Appropriate
      3. Step Three: Mark with Meaning
      4. Step Four: Place Your Pauses
      5. Chapter Takeaways
      6. Script Marking Exercises Answer Key
      7. Note
    2. Chapter 11 Tackling the Teleprompter
      1. Lessons Learned from Michael Bay's Implosion
      2. Teleprompter-Friendly Copy: Best Practices
      3. The Role of the Teleprompter Operator
      4. Prompter Practice Made Possible
      5. Lost in the Teleprompter
      6. Chapter Takeaways
      7. Note
  8. Section Six The Most Common On-Camera Performance Scenarios
    1. Chapter 12 Presenting Directly to the Camera in a Studio Setting
      1. Considerations for Corporate Video
      2. Preparing for the Shoot
      3. Orienting Yourself to the Studio
      4. Pulling Off a Great Performance
      5. Reviewing Your Performance
      6. Chapter Takeaways
    2. Chapter 13 Videoconferencing and Interviews via Video Chat
      1. Changes in Where and How You Work
      2. Hiring by Skype
      3. Why You Want to Turn on Your Webcam
      4. Best Practices for VC
      5. Recording a Videoconference
      6. Chapter Takeaways
      7. Notes
    3. Chapter 14 Webcasts—Best Practices for Panelists and Moderators
      1. Why a Webcast Is Easier to Master
      2. Best Practices for Panelists
      3. Best Practices for Moderators
      4. Staying Hydrated
      5. Chapter Takeaways
      6. Notes
    4. Chapter 15 Broadcast Interview Basics
      1. Before the TV Interview
      2. During the TV Interview
      3. After the TV Interview
      4. Interviews by Satellite
      5. Chapter Takeaways
      6. Notes
  9. Conclusion: Embrace Communicating through the Camera
  10. About the Author
  11. Index
  12. EULA

Product information

  • Title: On-Camera Coach
  • Author(s): Karin M. Reed
  • Release date: March 2017
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781119316039