Deep breath. The gig is up as I let you all in on a little secret: I am exhaustingly introverted.
I take comfort in the fact that this private information is only being shared on the intimate blog of digital media powerhouse, Walk West (Formerly Greenroom Communications).
(. . . wait . . . what?)
Those of us with this wallflower affliction fight the bi-products of our introversion on a daily basis: compulsorily weird vagestured hands during public presentations, feeling frozen during chit-chatty networking events, and the myriad ways our social avoidance rears its awkward head during unfamiliar situations. Although introversion is certainly not a disability, the reluctance to participate in social, public or on-camera experiences because of this preferred quietude can definitely feel debilitating.
All over the web, you’ll find definitions for introverts, but overall, it refers to those of us who tend to be more quiet and reserved. Where extroverts gain energy from social interactions, introverts have to expend energy in social situations. (Which let me tell you, during an already breathless Zumba class, it really exhausts me to have the instructor tell us to free dance our sassiest moves in front of each other.)
What. The. Ffffflamenco.
OK, let’s play it out. You’ve just gotten notice that your company is releasing an exciting new marketing video and they want you to be the on-camera “talent”. After you excuse yourself to go lose your lunch in the restroom… we want you to agree to the challenge, using these advocacy tips as your external moxie:
- Breathe.Get some good, deep, belly breaths to let the oxygen feed your brain and relax your muscles. Creative juices can’t flow if they’re not being fed properly, so make sure you fight the initial panic response of shallow breathing and concentrate instead on some big, deep breaths to project overall confidence.
- Dream it. Think it. Become it.
Without sounding all New Age-y, this really isn’t a new concept. Antonio Centeno of “Real Men Real Style” shares tips on how to enter a room with confidence and body language to project (or fake) confidence – it’s all about perception. Envision your presentation/performance, believe that you’re going to hit a home run, and get out there and do it. - Ask for Help.Feeling overwhelmed is natural, but doing something about it is as easy as a phone call to Walk West’s On-Camera Training experts, Sharon Delaney McCloud and Melanie Sanders. These seasoned professionals will minimize your uncertainties with on-camera role playing, and answer your questions, big and small. Once they’ve fully prepped you, Zak Ciotti steps in to offer video direction that puts you on a smooth auto-pilot during the shoot. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
- Show Up Early to the Shoot.Rushing in last minute and scrambling to make sure you’re dressed properly, thoroughly rehearsed, and ready in time for Zak to call “Action!” can add a layer of panic to an already new & uncomfortable situation. Eliminate as much of the internal chaos as possible. Get there early. Sit down with a cup of liquid courage. (Coffee, that is.)
- Have Fun!Really, you are going to have fun! You’ll know the shoot schedule (and your on-camera time) beforehand, so let that knowledge serve as a safety net as you dangle precariously outside of your comfort zone for those few hours. Relax, laugh, have fun, take the direction that our team intuitively provides, and know (gloriously) that in no time at all, you’ll be safely back at home in your flannel jammies, in front of Netflix, with your dog by your side.
Look, some things don’t change: I will probably still be the wallflower over by the food table (ok, ok…wine table) during our networking events. I will probably always choose to be the back-row back-up dancer to Penn and Kim’s “Holderness Family” antics. Those introverted tendencies are an innate part of who I am. But like you, working with the amazing industry professionals at Walk West (Formerly Greenroom Communications) affords me the confidence and tools to actually enjoy being on-camera . . . and trust me, you will, too.
So, the next time you come across one of our award-winning videos, look for me – I’ll be the one in the back row with the bedazzled, Zumba jazz hands – and loving every second of it.
