Even confident communicators can freeze the moment a camera is pointed at them. Suddenly, every blink, breath and hand movement feels like it’s under a microscope

The good news? You don’t have to be a natural-born performer to come across well on screen — you just need the right mindset and a few practical techniques.

At Dependable Productions, we’ve worked with everyone from CEO’s to apprentices, guiding them from awkward to assured. And, with one of our team being a professional presenter, we bring both production expertise and on-screen experience to the coaching process.

Here’s what we’ve learned from years of filming people who don’t do this every day, and making sure they look and sound their best.

1. Breathe Before You Speak

Your voice is one of your most powerful tools, and breath control is key to making it sound confident. When you’re nervous, adrenaline kicks in and you speak faster without realising. That speed can make you sound unsure or rushed.

Before your first line, inhale slowly, pause for half a beat, and then speak. It sets your pace, lowers your tone slightly, and gives you authority. Think of it as “pressing reset” before your message begins..

2. Think ‘Conversation’, Not ‘Performance’

Viewers respond best when it feels like you’re talking with them, not at them. Imagine one friendly, engaged listener just behind the camera and speak directly to them.

This mental trick stops you slipping into a formal “broadcast voice” and keeps your delivery warm and authentic.

Top Tip! If you are talking direct to camera rather than a person, imagine the camera iris is the eye of the person you are talking to. If you can, picture someone who actually fits your intended audience — a colleague, a client, or a friend — so you naturally match your tone to theirs. It will help keep your focus and hopefully “humanise” your delivery

3. Use Body Language to Support Your Words

Your body says as much as your voice — and sometimes more. Keep your shoulders relaxed, your posture open, and your gestures natural.

Hands are part of this story too:

• Keep them visible — hidden hands can signal discomfort.

• Avoid restless movements (fiddling with a pen, touching your face). They distract from your message.

• Use purposeful gestures to emphasise key points — think “illustrating” your words rather than flapping for the sake of it.

Even subtle shifts matter: leaning slightly forward can make you seem more engaged; standing tall communicates confidence. And try to avoid rocking, lurching or swaying side to side.

4. Set Your Face to Match the Mood

Your expression frames the tone for your audience before you say a word. If you’re delivering exciting news, let your eyes widen slightly and allow a genuine smile to show. If the subject is serious, soften your face, keep your gaze steady, and avoid tension in your jaw.

Viewers subconsciously mirror the emotions they see, so make sure what’s on your face matches the feeling you want to create.

Top Tip! Having a bad day but need to sound positive? Physically help your brain to reset with this tried and tested news reader trick: Look down, set your face to a smile, lift up, look at the camera and go. The same goes for if you are getting the giggles whilst trying to say something with gravitas. Look down, frown, lift up to the camera and go.

5. Dress for the Lens, Not Just the Day

The camera sees things differently than the human eye. Patterns like fine stripes, tiny checks, or high-contrast prints can cause a distracting flicker. Solid colours work best, ideally ones that contrast with your backdrop.

Clothing should complement, not compete with, your message. If you’re not sure, bring two options to set and check them on camera before you start.

And avoid noisy jewellery that will rattle when you talk, or get tangled with microphone!

❗️REMEMBER! If you are filming in front of green screen- don’t wear green! Unless you want to become a disembodied head!.

6. Keep Your Energy 10% Higher Than Feels Natural

Cameras can flatten energy. What feels animated in the room can look a little flat on playback. Dial your enthusiasm up by around 10% — through your voice, facial expression, and posture.

This doesn’t mean overacting — it’s about adding that extra spark so your delivery feels alive and engaging once it’s on screen.

7. Prepare, but Don’t Over-Script

Preparation is essential, but overdoing it can backfire. While being overly scripted might make you sound mechanical, improvising too much can lead to off-track rambling.

Breaking down the points you want to make in bullet points can help, as it allows you to freely elaborate while staying on topic. It may be worth memorising the odd key message in full.

Such an approach keeps your delivery natural and conversational, ensuring that you hit all essential points without losing the spontaneity that makes communication engaging.

Delivering to Autocue? More Tips here!

8. Pause Like a Pro

Pauses are powerful tools in presentation. They allow your audience to digest what you’ve just said, giving emphasis to your key points.

Plus, if you feel you’re faltering, use pauses to gather your thoughts and restart with clarity. This method enhances the editability of your video, as clean takes are simpler to manage than patched mid-sentence fixes.

Strategic pauses also give the impression of confidence and thoughtfulness, qualities that significantly enhance the delivery of your message.

9. Keep it Succinct for the Edit

Think in soundbites, not speeches. Short, sharp points make your video punchy and give editors more flexibility to create a compelling final cut. Plus, they are more engaging and connect with audiences better than long rambling sentences. Less is ABSOLUTELY more here. Don’t feel you have to fill the silence!

If you’ve got a lot to say, break it into “chapters” — small, self-contained segments that can be filmed separately and pieced together seamlessly.

Final Thought

Being a great presenter isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being believable, warm, and clear. With the right preparation — and a good crew ( ahem – over here ) that’s exactly what you can be.