Tips for going LIVE!

This pandemic has certainly forced many of us to step outside of the box and do all kinds of things that we would not have before. One of the first things that I found myself having to do on a weekly basis was recording myself in videos. I knew I was not ready so before diving into my daily live sessions with my kiddies and the recording of the weekly videos for my parents, I found myself researching and searching and reading and looking at what felt like hundreds of videos to prepare. While I did not know exactly what kind of videos I needed to do or the kind of prep needed for live synchronous teaching, I knew I did not want to be bad at it – so prepare, I did!

We have all endured the long, boring videos that we are forced to comb through looking for the important information (IF it is ever to be found) or those live sessions that seem to be delivered by a robot and you wonder if they even remember that you are there. I did NOT want to fall into any of those categories. Sometimes either thing could be so uncomfortable that I click out of it entirely and I often can’t help but think that just a few tips and tricks would help.

As you know, the more I learn is the more I share so I decided to put together my top tips for going live/recording videos and share them with you. Mind you, this is in no way only for educators. These tips can be applied to priests, fitness instructors, insurance agents, medical professionals, artisans and any other person involved in any kind of recording, streaming or online information exchange. It is by no means exhaustive and is certainly not the most technically sound or professional list. I am not a recording specialist/videographer of any kind. I am an educator who has had to pivot and adjust and I continue to embrace that journey every day.

I am sharing what I have gathered in my searches and I hope that they can help you too.

You may well have your own tips to add – and please do add them! Let us learn from each other!

Be PREPARED
Practise. Have your notes and details ready and in order. Do a sound check and camera check before your presentation. Speak some of the notes or text aloud to practise and feel how it sounds. If you want to be super-prepared put little time suggestions on your notes to keep you on schedule. You know yourself best- you will know if you need this.

Be SEEN
Check your camera angle- be sure that your camera is higher than your eye line or at regular eye height. Do NOT look down at your camera. Check your background. The inclusion of one uplifting/motivational poster or a piece of bright artwork goes a long way. Remember you are trying to invite people in.

Be ENERGETIC
Remember people are not there with you. They need a little extra energy and vibe from you to connect. It will feel like it’s over the top but it will be just enough.

Be HEARD
Your voice matters. Be aware of the timbre of your voice- is it very deep? Then you may come across a bit muffled. Is it very high? Then you may come across a bit screechy. Project, always- have the same energy at the start and at the end of your sentence. All voices can sound beautiful in online presentations once you acknowledge the type of voice you have and give it the chance to shine.

Be PURPOSEFUL
Think of your purpose. Why are you doing this live? Why are you recording this video? The answer should never be ‘because I have to’, because that is the message that will come through loudest. Your purpose will dictate your energy level, speech, level of engagement and general presentation.

Be READY
Speed up but slow down! It is important to remember that evenly spaced and deliberate speech is crucial in the online platform BUT do not have too many lags or delays as you lose your audience quickly. Be organised- have your notes close-by.

Be INTERACTIVE
People may not be there with you but they are there with you. Remember to include them.

Be CREATIVE
Try new things, backgrounds, online tools, songs etc. Do not be afraid to step out of the box.

Be the BEST version of YOURSELF
It is important to be your awesome self- but an enhanced version is sometimes needed. Coming through the screen some of your natural sparkle may be lost. Keep that in mind.

Above all else – remember WHY you are doing this and WHO you are trying to reach. It is within you to make a difference: so do.

Lots of love to you

TJP 🌺