The *Real* Reason Video is Hard.

24. Feb, 2010 Categories: Making Videos by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein View Comments

Somehow the conversation (via @ replies on twitter, comments on a blog post, in real life at cocktail party, whatever) turns to my business.

And blogging. And making online videos.

And the “how to make a video” questions start …

  • what camera do you use?
  • do you film in HD?
  • what software do you use to edit the videos, iMovie or Final Cut or Windows Movie Maker or Adobe Premiere Pro?
  • do you host your videos on YouTube or Viddler or do you host the videos yourself?
  • do use special lighting or external microphones or green screens or animation?

… and even though I politely answer their questions, I cringe inside.

Because they are worrying about the wrong things.

Making videos is not hard because of the technology. Or because of the editing. Or because of the cameras or graphics or equipment.

Making videos is hard because it’s you.

Because there’s nothing to hide behind.

It’s your face. Your wrinkles. Your hair that won’t sit right since the last time it was cut.

It’s your energy. Your passion. Your personality displayed for everyone to critique.

And as much as you can try to hide behind multiple HD cameras, fancy lighting, professional makeup, stock animation and moving titles and flashy transitions …

… your truth (or lack thereof) will be visible for us to judge.

And that scares the crap out of most people.

Which is why most people talk themselves out of doing videos … by getting stuck in the technological details.

As an excuse. To avoid the spotlight. To avoid the exposure.

To avoid sharing their truth with the world.

So …. is this you?

I’d love to hear from any of you who are nervous about making videos — please share your experience in the comments below …

Why are your videos not up yet? What is holding you back? Have you made videos and not posted them? What are you missing?

To learn how to make your own videos, check out my newest video program 3 Days to Video live virtual workshop or get the free Quickstart to just learn the basics!

Related posts:

  1. The Real Reason I’m Moving to San Francisco
  2. The #1 Most Important Thing re Video
  3. Make Your Videos More Awesomer: The Advanced Video Series Coming Soon
  4. How to Make a Video When You Have a Zit
  5. How Did I Become a Video Expert?

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  • Great perspective! Thanks for sharing. Since we will all eventually be on camera when we step into the public anyway with the direction video surveillance is going, practicing with our video cameras shouldn't scare us too much. :)
  • Elizabeth, Thank you! I am working on my first ever video for my website as we are redesigning it. You have really inspired me to be authentically me, which means I don't have to keep re-doing it til it's perfect, just be me. :) Looking forward to your tips and expertise.
  • I love how life always comes at you at the right time! I just started a new blog to document a journey down the road back to sexy and I thought about putting video on there... I didn't worry AT ALL about the technical part of it.. I worried about the hair, the wrinkles, the fact that it would be me - like you said, no barrier! no pretty picture... just me! Scares me to death... I'm still not sure I will do it... but getting the mail about your post this morning really made me laugh! Perfect timing! :)
  • This is a good post because I just started making videos about a month ago. And yes, the reason why it was hard for me to start in the first place was because when I write...I can hide behind it. With videos, I'm always worrying about what I'm wearing, my hair, my makeup, my eyes...and how goofy I can really look. And then I worry that if people see me in video, they might not like what I have to say anymore.

    I'm starting not to care (a little). Videos are fun (a little). Slowly but surely they will get better (I hope). But I think for many people, they're risky. Too risky.

    But...they show who I am. Take it or leave it. :)
  • balemar
    As someone who is sketching out the idea for my first video, I REALLY needed to hear it. I was worried that even if I came up with great content all the technical stuff would get in the way of the message. I was starting to psyche myself out of doing it. No more! Expect a video in the next few days!
  • Yes, Elizabeth, up until now I have been afraid to expose myself. My last excuse was that I needed a haircut. I've had my hair cut for over two weeks and no video. The other excuse is that I haven't finished your course; I always have something just a little more important to do. In truth, I was lacking a certain self-love and acceptance and living in a bit of fear about being ME for everyone to see.

    However, early this morning i had a dream so significant to me, and so absolutely life altering, i am no longer afraid to do the video or speak in front of people. I even accepted a speaking engagement and felt excited rather than afraid; I'm actually looking forward to it.

    I know it sounds goofy to say dream changed my life but I've had this happen before; I had a prophetic dream 40 years ago (it was NOT a good dream) and sure enough, it happened.

    So, I no longer have (or need) any excuses to postpone doing my video. Full speed ahead and damn the torpedos; I am wide open and ready to BE there.
  • marvelousmartha
    I have two main reasons why I have not done more video (I have done one!). The first is that I just do not think I have anything smart to say. And the second is I do not feel like I have the time. Excuses excuses. I'm working in my mind the next video though. It was so much fun to do the first one, and I can't wait until I have the second one up.
  • accompanyc
    Mostly people are sweet kind and accepting, but.... my son went through a spell of making all kinds of movies and posting them on YouTube. He took it very very seriously - including one that was for a school project on Explaining how to do something. He made Oobleck - and did a very good job for a 12 year old (yes, yes, yes - I know he was supposed to be 13....)
    All well and good - shared it with friends and family - got nice comments, etc. But then he starts getting these heinous emails (I receive copies of his emails - see I'm not completely clueless). Apparently, his vid link was posted somewhere and 1000's of views/deleted comments later - after I waded through all kinds of horrible things being said about my kid, I changed the privacy settings so only people we approved of could visit his site. He was devasted (wanted to be the next Fred, I guess) - but I really saw the ugly side of trolls out there.
    Moral - I don't think I have one - but I'm not anxious to do/post video. I'm not sure this is one of those uncomfortable feelings I need to push path to find the good stuff....
  • youtube is a terrible place for trolls, and for many kinds of videos (and for people who are not ready to ignore trolls), I suggest not posting videos on youtube and keeping them on a place where you can control comments etc. :)
  • You are so right. It really isn't about the hardware/software/equipment to made a video for the web. I have to say though that I started with just audio. The podcasts (25 so far) are available on iTunes and there are several other ways to listen to them. In some ways, a video would be easier, but I did the podcasts first for various personal reasons, mainly improving my speaking voice. I have a youtube channel reserved for video which I know I will make. Until then, there is this video of me from way back - doing then what I will be doing again - http://blip.tv/file/1216757
  • I came across your site because I love @boxofcrayons and his tweet that if he had a harelip and can make a video - there's no excuse for the rest of us!

    And you know what, this post really hit home. Being in PR, it's always been easier to watch my clients get on TV rather than think of myself getting on TV (or video). I'm a better writer than speaker, and video just adds that whole other layer of vulnerability and exposure. Thanks for a great reminder that I also need to "walk the talk". Grabbing your video course now...

    Elena
  • You hit it right on the head Elizabeth. Although it may look like a good reason, it's really our subconscious making excuses to hide the real truth behind it. When I first started making videos back in May of last year, I was nervous as hell and was afraid people would make fun of me. The only way to really conquer your fear is to just jump in and do it, as is true with just about anything.

    Yeah, it'll be uncomfortable but if you don't do it, you'll never do video.
  • And really, the best stuff is always uncomfortable at first. :)
  • I am sooo not going there with a joke. I'll leave that to Ori ;-)
  • rflol - of course by saying that, I already heard the joke in my head, but you get to appear gentleman-like. well played.
  • Chris_Harmon
    I wish that I had some hair to worry about!(LOL) But you are right there is nothing to hide behind. I do this thing with my mouth and I am licking my lips. My face is crocked and I always tilt my head. But who cares you are going to see all my flaws.
  • And I bet that the only person who notices the crooked/tilt stuff is you. :)
  • I really hate doing videos. It's not about how I look. It's not about the technology. It's all about being a perfectionist. It can take me hours to do a 3-minute video, just because I forget stuff I wanted to say, say things the wrong way, stammer and stutter and forget everything...drives me CRAZY!
  • balemar
    What I like most about videos is how not perfect they are. How they show that at the end of the day - you're a person - just like us. It's the little quirks that make you, well, you.
  • Susan - yes, I get you re the perfectionist thing. I like to set deadlines for myself ... I only have 3 hours to get this video up, so everything has to be done in that time. (And yes, video does take a while, so there is an expectation management issue there too)
  • plussizeskills
    Let me just say that I LOVE making videos! But I have only been doing it for a few weeks now but I really enjoy doing it! I love the editing and adding things to it to make it flowing! One thing I hated about it at first was that they were going to see me! A Plus Size Women! I am a big girl but trying to get healthy!

    So to put together a video is scary but it is just something that we do!
  • From one plus sized sister to another - the camera doesn't add 10 pounds, our egos do. I still look at my videos and cringe at my features, but I've not yet had someone say "OMG you're such a fat pig! Stop doing video!"

    In fact, the only person that ever said that was the little remlin in my head - and he only spoke once. :-)

    Why? Because it's the content that matters. When you're engaging, smiling, teaching, and enjoying what you're doing, people will forgive/overlook a lot of stuff - because most people don't watch online videos saying "I dare you to impress me". They are saying "what can I get out of this that will make this a valueable use of my time?"
  • That's awesome, I'm so glad you enjoy it too! I *love* making videos.

    And congrats on getting over people seeing you ... really, plus size is totally not a problem, it is real. And there are going to be so many people who see you and bond w/ you b/c it would scare them to be on video, but you are doing it.
  • Hit. Nail. On. The. Head. Wow! This is the ongoing convo inside my head, along with "will this be good *enough*". Good enough for whom?

    Real work is just to start, to attempt, to blaze a trail, to be real. Hair, stuff is teeth, stammering and all. Just. Share. Yeah?

    Thx for post.
  • Yeah, there is no such thing as good enough or whatever ... being real is the most important thing. If ppl care they don't matter, and the ppl who matter won't care.
  • "It takes forever to edit and even longer to export!" that's my problem. I actually don't use the rest of the excuses, as I can use any program. I've used Screenflow/camtasia before to edit full blown videos. Usually it's Final Cut, and I have a few years of Premiere Pro. "That's cheating though" -- yeah.. my background's in Video & FX (amongst many other pieces of my background).
    Time... that's the bitch of it-- other than that, I'm just fine.
  • Yeah, your edit/exporting situation is a problem, Ori ... either make videos in lower res or get a better hardware solution, or something ... I want people to see all that awesome video you have created! augh!
  • You're so right it's not about knowing the technology! Those are just excuses. I used to be a tv producer and so I already knew all of the technology. I actually right away did my first video way for my first web site and got critiqued by one of my clients/mentors about how what I was wearing was wrong. Guess what? I didn't do video again for a few more years. Until I said who cares what others think and I'm going to do this video 70%. And know I love video and even put a video out there with me in no makeup using my iphone. So Elizabeth you're so right it doesn't matter what camera you have it's about being comfortable being out there for the entire world to see. Not too freak everyone out.

    But the good news is most people are very supportive of videos, because they know it takes some guts. Remember it's not about you in the video it's about the content you're saying and I know you have something to say! Sorry for the rant as you can tell I'm passionate about this subject too.
  • Ys, we have to lean to get over ourselves sometimes. That's why I do silly videos like my snow day song, or a video of me in pigtails with really bad lighting. It's not brain surgery, folks. It's Edu-tainment.
  • Good point Lisa ... the silly in videos is *so important* because that's what makes us memorable and bonds us to our audience ...
  • Elizabeth - right on the nail.
    My day job is as a sound engineer, a young guys who are getting into sound come to talk to me and always want to talk gear - I always try to get through to them that it's not about the gear - good toys are nice - but it's about the music and the skill of the musicians and the engineer - those are the things that make the biggest difference - but gear is easier and more fun to talk about - and also nonthreatening.

    When what's important is to get out there in front of whatever camera you have and tell your story fearlessly. If you get lots of criticism, then great - people are paying attention to you - and more of your Right People (to use Havi Brooks' term) will find you too. It's just scary in the process.

    Andy
  • Yes, it is so easy to hide behind technology. @gapingvoid talks about this in his book, people hiding behind pillars ... that the great artists usually are *not* using the most fancy stuff.
  • SoulJuice
    great post and SO TRUE... we so fear judgement eh? bit like the fear of public speaking.... what i feel a lot of folks dont realise is that most folks watching and listening have kind hearts, and r genuinely interested (else why would they watch?)... well i would hope that

    and what most folks dont realise is that they ARE valuable and they do have value to share

    so thanks 4 your help to get folks going.....

    i launched my blog / youtube channel / fanpage this last week... in fact i did my first proper youtube vid today (see http://www.youtube.com/SoulJuiceTV)... twas a bit of a bumble but i got there using camtasia and its ok.... it was the first take, it felt good cos i was a bit dorky but i was real.... and i'm so looking forward being able to share what i can with whoever is open... web2 / social media is just amazing eh?
  • And starting out by using camtasia or whatever is awesome ... it's just about getting up some videos & practicing. If you check the first videos by any of the big vbloggers (the ones who didn't take down their early videos), they were not super-cool on day 1. :)
  • remarkablogger
    My position is this: if Michael Bungay Stanier of boxofcrayons.biz can do videos with a freakin' harelip, nobody else has any excuse whatsoever.

    The first one's the toughest, the rest are easy. You would be surprised at how little people care what you look like as long as they can understand what you say and the message is relevant. Nothing else matters. Your camera doesn't matter, high-quality sound doesn't matter, editing doesn't matter.
  • Xactly
  • And if my haircut is even worse than my speech impediment...
  • remarkablogger
    Michael, you're a great example, and I hope you don't mind I brought you up
    as one.
  • Not at all. In fact, I see my cleft lip and palate as part of what makes me different + interesting. But more than that and to your very point, I figure that if people see me being a successful speaker (or video maker in this context), then they may go, "well I can probably do that too."

    So I'm delighted you brought it up, Michael
  • Damn.
  • what Andrew said.
  • I may or may not be guilty of using some of those excuses.

    Yes. What you said.
  • meganmatthieson
    I can't use any excuses. All of a sudden I'm thinking of shit to say and....all of the scared stuff comes up. But! I know I will do it when the apporpriate 'thought' comes to me that will best be transcribed with a vid of ME. ME TALKING. That actually hasn't happened yet. But I've practiced once- and...finding my voice a little more everyday. Thanks Elizabeth! (and sorry if I get silly in the chats sometimes. :)
  • Megan... as one who does videos fairly regularly and is still new and learning...

    Just.

    Do.

    It.

    Just like with writing, the only way your voice and personality will shine through is with practice and repetition.

    Make a video.

    Publish it.

    Repeat.
  • meganmatthieson
    :) well i have a cold ....a huge freaking cold....and i'm doing this hidious skin cream treatment thing and look like fucking hell right now. so you know...don't hold your breath. :) but thanks for the encouragement and love! i promise to do one when the right subject comes along. and i look way better. lol. #nuffsaid
  • "right subject comes along" = excuse.

    I'll give you a few days to get over your cold & skin stuff ... but then ...
  • #ImWithEPW
  • meganmatthieson
    ROFLOL
  • My current excuses for not getting video up:

    I'm a writer. Video is cheating.
    Google won't index it.
    My neighbours will hear me.
    S will think it's lame.
    I'll need to shave more.

    Yeah.

    Those are the reasons.

    Yep.
  • Google WILL index it... in fact, that's the easiest way to get to page #1. Also, transcribe it, and add a caption channel, and you're really getting indexed.
  • Xactly. Check this out. That video I did? Brand new blog. One post: the video and very little text. Thre days later and it's on Google's page one for the search terms: Snobby Coffee (the domain name is SnobbyCoffee.tv). Here's a screen shot, if it'll go through: http://snobbycoffee.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/...
  • So cheat a little
    Google loves videos
    Screw the neighbors (metaphorically speaking, of course).
    What's new?
    Grow a beard. :)
  • Hey David

    This made me laugh and sullenly give in at the same time...

    Sheesh. This is what I get for commenting on Live Your Truth Liza's website.
  • 1 - I'm really expecting videos from you now. No excuses left.

    2 - +2 bonus points for calling me Liza.
  • Yay. I'm up to three points (first one was for telling you to get over yourself back when you worried about being epic.).

    I may make a chart.
  • Ahh! I have my own funny stories about stuff like "hair that won't sit right". Once I filmed a recipe video and then ate my veggie wrap... then I decided the camera was out, why not film another little video? Except I didn't look in the mirror and I had a little dab of veggie pate on my chin!

    Luckily you can always re-film. ;)
  • You know, considering your niche, maybe a bit of yummy food on your chin is strategic? ;-)
  • Re: "Your hair that won’t sit right since the last time it was cut." I did my first online video last week when I stayed home with a sick kid. I had laid down to get her started on a nap, then got up to do the video. I forgot to comb my hair and didn't notice until after the video was posted. To hell with it. It stays. Live your truth, right?
  • And major congrats to you for just posting up the video & letting it out there w/o your hair combed. Because yeah, we all do that. Anyway, it endears the audience to you. :)
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