About This Episode
You’re a busy business leader. Meetings, strategy sessions, and putting out fires—it’s all part of the job. So when the marketing team adds being in the next video to your to-do list, your first thought might be, Is this really the best use of my time? Don’t they have someone better at being on camera?
But here’s the truth: if you’re not leveraging video, you’re leaving money—and trust—on the table. Buyers crave connection. They want to know the faces behind the brand, hear your expertise firsthand, and, most importantly, decide whether they can trust you. Video isn’t just another marketing tactic. It’s a tool that can fundamentally change how your audience feels about your business.
And yet, stepping in front of a camera can feel daunting. You might be wondering, What if I’m awkward? What if I mess up? What if I look or sound weird? Will this hurt people’s perception of me?
On the latest episode of Endless Customers, Alex Winter sat down with Lindsey Auten, a video and content trainer at IMPACT, to tackle these exact questions. Lindsey shared why video is critical for businesses, how to get comfortable on camera, and why following the S.I.M.P.L.E. method can make all the difference.
Why Video Builds Unmatched Trust
Unlike other content formats, video creates an immediate connection. Buyers see your face, hear your voice, and get a sense of who you are—long before you meet them in person. It’s a level of trust-building that even the most polished website can’t achieve.
“When your audience watches a video, they feel like they know you,” Lindsey explained. “And that familiarity is priceless when it comes to converting leads into customers.”
Alex chimed in with this: “Trust is everything in sales. If you can use video to break down barriers and make buyers feel comfortable, you’ve already won half the battle.”
In a world where buyers are bombarded with ads and sales pitches, video helps you stand out by being genuine, relatable, and real.
Overcoming the Fear of Being on Camera
Here’s the truth: almost no one feels 100% confident on camera at first. The good news? You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be yourself.
“People worry about their appearance, their voice, or making a mistake,” Lindsey said. “But what they don’t realize is that those little imperfections actually make you more relatable.”
Her advice for getting comfortable on camera? Practice, patience, and preparation. Lindsey broke it down into a few simple steps:
- Start small: Record short videos on your phone just for practice. You don’t even have to share them.
- Focus on your audience: Shift the focus away from yourself and onto the people you’re trying to help.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff: If you stumble over a word or laugh nervously, that’s okay. It makes you human.
Building Comfort on Camera with the SIMPLE Framework
For many business leaders, the idea of being on camera feels like a detour from their core responsibilities. But Lindsey broke down a powerful acronym during the episode—SIMPLE—designed to help anyone develop their on-camera performance while keeping things, well, simple. Here’s what it stands for:
S - Smile
Smiling might seem trivial, but as Lindsey said, "If you hit record and you have RBF on, that recording is going to look like you're a little ticked off." Starting with a smile changes your energy and makes you come across as approachable and engaging. Before you hit record, try smiling for 3 to 5 seconds—it sets the tone for the entire video and makes your energy inviting for viewers.
I - Imagine the Camera as a Person
Talking to a camera can feel unnatural—it’s just an inanimate object staring back. Lindsey advised picturing the camera as a person, saying, "If you can picture a person to talk to...that’s going to help you feel more natural and appeal more to the people watching." This mental shift transforms a mechanical interaction into a relatable conversation, making your delivery more personable.
M - Momentum
"An object in motion stays in motion," Lindsey explained. The same applies to your performance. If you mess up mid-sentence, don’t stop—just keep going. Stopping breaks your rhythm and often makes the editing process harder. As Alex added, "Power through it...even though it's messy, it helps you get to that final piece." Momentum allows you to refine your delivery naturally.
P - Posture Matters
Your body language speaks volumes. Lindsey recounted a client video where poor posture made someone appear "surly," even though it wasn’t their intention. "If my body language is open...leaning slightly forward, my energy is completely different," she shared. Posture communicates enthusiasm and credibility. Shoulders back, open stance, and leaning slightly toward the camera can make all the difference.
L - Leverage Storytelling
Humans are wired for stories. As Lindsey pointed out, "We’ve responded to stories since the beginning of time." Structure your video with a clear arc: introduce the problem, guide viewers through the solution, and show them how they can win. This approach builds relatability, which Alex highlighted as "the first step toward building trust."
E - Engage Naturally
Your instincts are usually right. If you use hand gestures or move your head while talking in real life, let those natural tendencies shine on camera. "Even if you think it might look stupid, just do it," Lindsey encouraged. Authenticity is magnetic—it’s what makes people trust and connect with you.
The SIMPLE framework isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up authentically, building trust, and creating engaging content. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, these six steps can help transform your on-camera presence into a tool for building strong connections with your audience.
Get Started With Video
Video can feel intimidating at first, but it’s worth the effort. As Lindsey reminded listeners, “You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be real. Your audience will appreciate your authenticity, and over time, you’ll see the impact it has on your business.”
So grab your phone, write down a few bullet points, and start recording. Because every video you create brings you one step closer to earning trust, building relationships, and driving results.
Connect with Lindsey
Lindsey Auten is a content and video trainer at IMPACT with a background in broadcast journalism.
Learn more about Lindsey from her IMPACT bio
Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn
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Author: awinter@impactbnd.com (Alex Winter)
* This article was originally published here
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