I'm naturally introverted. Like, really introverted.

And I hate cameras.

Here's a fun fact - I was recently looking for photos of myself for a webinar, and you know what I discovered? Over the last decade, I have maybe 15 photos of myself. Total.

So getting on camera for video content? That was a massive hurdle for me. But I knew how important it was for business growth, especially in today's digital landscape.

In this Part we’re talking about how to start creating videos the easy way, even if you're camera-shy like me.

From polls I’ve run before I know this is a lot of you. So we need to remove this block.

Let’s get started:

Removing All Excuses

Before we start, go ahead and get your phone out and shoot a 30 second introduction to yourself. We’re not posting it. Just shoot it.

I’ll wait.

Still waiting.

Good.

Did you do it?

I know you did not.

Here’s the question then: why not?

What excuses did you make? I’ll do it later? My hair is weird today? My phone camera isn’t good.

It’s too easy to just not do it. Because of some small reason.

Because if there's even the tiniest obstacle, our brains will grab it as an excuse: "Oh, I can't record today because I don't have time to edit" or "My background is too messy" or "The lighting isn't perfect."

Because of my natural resistance to being on camera, I knew I had to make everything as easy as possible.

I stripped away all friction points.

You are going to have to do that yourself. Write down all the reasons that stopped you just now. And then attack them - all of them are fixable, believe me.

I’m going to cover some of the biggies so we can start to knock down resistance and make it easier just to start shooting.

The Only Equipment You Really Need

Let's start with the absolute basics: your phone. That's it.

Seriously, your smartphone's camera is more than enough to get started. Don't overcomplicate this.

Now, if you want to level up slightly:

• Get a basic tripod with a ring light attached ($10 from Amazon)

• A lavalier microphone is nice but not essential

Here's the golden rule right now though: If you don't have a tripod or a fancy mic, move on. Start without them. Don't let perfect be the enemy of done.

What about your background? You don’t need a full studio. You just need a neutral background. I use a pull-up screen because it removes the "my room is messy" excuse. Screen goes up, I record, done. But guess what? You don't even need that. Find a blank wall and sit in front of it. Boom. Done.

The magic here isn't in having the perfect setup - it's in having a setup that lets you actually press record ASAP.

Format: Keep It Simple

We're going with talking head videos - just you, speaking to the camera as if you're answering a question. Remember those scripts we created in Part 2? Use them to whatever level you're comfortable with. Need the whole script? Great. Just want bullet points? Also great. Do what works for you.

Why talking heads? It removes complexity. No graphics, minimal editing, no need for complex planning. You have a phone and yourself - that’s enough to get it done.

The Secret Sauce here though is clip-Based recording. This is where we really make it easier.

If you can talk to the camera for 30 seconds straight and nail it, fantastic! That's a superpower. But for the rest of us mere mortals, here's my favourite hack: clip-based recording.

Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Apple's Clips let you record in segments. Here's how it works:

1. Tap to record your first sentence

2. Tap to stop

3. Like how it turned out? Great, move on to the next sentence

4. Flubbed a word? No problem - delete that clip and try again

5. The app stitches everything together automatically

This method is a game-changer because it:

• Saves you from starting over every time you make a mistake

• Eliminates the pressure of getting everything perfect in one take

• Removes the need for editing because you're essentially editing as you go

I recommend using TikTok for recording, even if you're not planning to post there. Why? Because it has one of the most user-friendly interfaces for clip-based recording. Instagram Reels and Apple's Clips are solid alternatives. Try them all and see which one you jive with honestly. Unfortunately LinkedIn doesn’t have a recorder, at least not yet.

Once you're done, simply download your video. Don't post it yet - we'll cover the optimal way to share on LinkedIn in tomorrow's issue.

Other issues

I‘ve covered the BIG blocks - the 80%ers.

Chances are your brain has thought of some more though. Let’s rapid fire some.

Personal Appearance:

• Need a haircut → Get one! But also, wear a cap/hat - instant fix and can become your signature look

• Make-up takes too long → TikTok filters are a game-changer (I’ve chatted to female creators who swear by the “natural” ones )

• Don't like how you look → Use TikTok's "Enhance" feature, subtle but effective

• Don't like your outfit → Have a "recording top" that you put on every time you record.

Environment:

• House is noisy → Use your car as studio (great acoustics!) or use Airpods (they cancel out background noise well)

• Dog keeps barking → make them part of the video, get them on your lap (instant engagement boost)

• Bad lighting → Face window, or stand facing desk lamp at eye level

Mental Blocks:

• Feel awkward → Pretend you're explaining to friend over coffee

• Keep stumbling → Write key points on post-its, stick behind phone

• Perfectionism → Set timer for 15 mins - must finish before it rings

• Don't like voice → It's in your head, nobody else cares (seriously!)

• Stage fright → Start with 0 followers on practice account

I could go on…

But the point is that once you’ve identified your blocks attack mercilessly to remove them. Most are easy easy fixes.

What's Next?

In Part 4, we're diving into optimisation and posting strategy. I'll show you how to add captions (crucial for LinkedIn), craft engaging descriptions, and time your posts for maximum impact.

Your homework for today? I mean, you know already I’m sure.

Record your first video using the clip method. Don't worry about posting it yet - just get comfortable with the process. Remember, your first video won't be your best video, but you can't get to your best video without making your first one.