March 8, 2025 • 6 mins
Feeling nervous about recording videos for your practice? Struggling to connect with your audience and feeling awkward on camera? Allison shares some tips on how to overcome these nerves and show up authentically on video in today’s Ask Allison. This episode is also available to stream on our YouTube channel!
Sponsored by TherapyNotes®: Use promo code Abundant for 2 months free
To check out our free resources, including weekly worksheets & our Tasky Checklist, visit https://www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/links. Learn how to fill your practice with the Abundance Party! Join today & get 75% off your first month with promo code PODCAST: https://www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/abundanceparty
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:07):
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Welcome to Ask Allison.
Y'all ask the questions about having a
fun and thriving practice and I answer them.
We have a worksheet for you today so
you can bring this answer into your life.
You can access that at abundancepracticebuilding.com slash
links, where you'll also be able to ask
any questions you have for Ask Allison.
If you want more support, we've got some
free trainings in there too.
(00:28):
If you can't get enough Ask Allison, check
out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask
Allison library.
Welcome back to Ask Allison.
Here is today's question.
I'm so nervous about recording videos for my
practice.
I want to connect with my audience, but
every time I try, I feel awkward and
unnatural on camera.
How do you get comfortable with recording videos
(00:49):
and what advice do you have for therapists
who are struggling to show up authentically on
video?
So first I want to thank Therapy Notes
for sponsoring Ask Allison.
I've talked about them for years and you
know their features by heart if you've listened
to this for a while, but here's what
truly sets them apart.
First, they genuinely care about your experience.
It is not just about troubleshooting.
(01:10):
They actively implement user-suggested features like therapy
search, secure messaging, clinical outcome tracking, real-time
insurance checks, and a smooth super build process.
Everyone at Therapy Notes believes in the product
and wants you to love it too.
Plus, they're independently owned, which means no venture
capital and no pressure to prioritize investors over
(01:30):
customers.
This independence allows them to keep prices fair,
focus on innovation, and prioritize customer experience.
With over 100,000 therapists already on board,
they've proven that you don't have to compromise
success for quality.
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
Therapy Notes free for two months with code
ABUNDANT at therapynotes.com.
(01:51):
Hi, I'm Allison, in case you don't know
me, and we are going to talk about
getting on video without feeling super weird.
So when I first started, I was really,
really terrible on camera.
My scripts were solid and the content was
good, and I even borrowed fancy lighting and
equipment, but as soon as I hit record,
I got nervous and I could see myself
swallowing a lot.
(02:13):
I was sweating and I was just being
boring.
So I re-recorded over and over and
nothing worked.
And then I had this idea.
I invited a few therapists into my office
and recorded myself teaching them the same material
that I was trying to teach to my
camera.
And suddenly I was animated, I was energized,
and I was totally myself.
(02:33):
So here's the lesson with that.
Talking to an actual person makes a huge
difference.
If at first recording feels really stiff or
awkward, try asking a friend or a loved
one to sit behind the camera.
It's going to feel more natural like you're
having a real conversation and that green light
with that camera is not going to feel
quite as intimidating.
Next, I want you to amp it up.
(02:54):
Something that I have learned is that video
tends to flatten your energy.
If you want to show up as your
natural energetic self, you need to bring just
a little bit extra for it to show
up on camera.
So for me, that means amping my energy
up about 10%.
It's not about being fake.
It's about ensuring that my normal animation and
enthusiasm translate to the camera.
(03:17):
And on days when I'm feeling tired or
it's early in the morning, and yes, I
have recorded plenty of videos with pillow marks
still on my face, I bring even more
than 10% energy to help balance it
out.
The third is practice makes comfortable.
Practice is the thing that's going to make
the biggest difference in you being comfortable on
camera.
(03:38):
Here's what worked for me that I recommend
to all of my students.
I want you to spend just two minutes
a day recording a video on your phone.
It doesn't matter what it's about.
Just pick a topic and talk.
Bonus points if it's clinically relevant, but you
know, I would rather you just come up
with a thing, talk about your day.
I don't care just to get the practice.
Then I want you to watch it.
(03:59):
It is so uncomfortable at first.
That's the worst part.
You don't have to share these videos anywhere.
They're just for you.
If it's clinically relevant and you're like, okay,
I did a pretty good job.
Maybe you end up using it somewhere.
But if you're just talking about how much
you love your dog or the car accident
you almost got into on your way to
work today, then it's really just the practice
of speaking to a camera and then watching
(04:20):
yourself and getting over all the insecurity that
comes up with that.
Next, you do not need to be a
professional actor or news anchor to make a
good video.
What matters is really connecting with your audience,
whether you're recording for social media or your
website or course, just focus on being yourself.
I know I sound like your mom, but
(04:40):
your people that follow you don't need perfection.
They need authenticity.
And we feel like we have to be
perfect when we're on camera sometimes, but that's
actually going to push more people away than
bring people in.
So getting comfortable on camera, it's a skill.
And like any skill, it's going to get
better with practice.
Talk to a friend behind the camera, bring
a little extra energy.
(05:01):
Don't be afraid to watch and learn from
your early attempts.
Expect them to be awkward.
Please expect them to be awkward.
That way you're not going to beat yourself
up as much.
Video is a really great strategy to help
build your practice, and it is definitely not
going to build itself on its own.
Today's free worksheet includes some other popular strategies
to consider if you are building your practice.
(05:22):
DM me the word sheets to get this
week's worksheet on popular ways to market your
practice.
And you'll also be able to access all
the previous ones in the series.
You've got this.
I'm here for you.
I'll see you next time on Ask Allison.
And if you want a deeper dive on
everything video, we have an entire module in
our marketing course and the abundance party is
going to walk you through step-by-step
(05:44):
how to get really good on camera, because
I think it's a big part of the
future of building a practice.
If you would like to check that out,
then send me a DM with the word
party.
All right.
Take care.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
therapy notes is the way to go.
Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo
(06:04):
code abundant for two months free.
I hope that helped.
If you have questions for Ask Allison, or
you want to get your hands on the
worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com
slash links.
If you're listening, you probably need some support
building your practice.
(06:24):
If you're a super newbie, grab our free
checklist using the link in the show notes.
I'd love for you to follow rate and
review, but I really want you to share
this with a therapist friend.
Let's help all our colleagues build what they
want.
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Welcome to Ask Allison.
Y'all ask the questions about having a
fun and thriving practice and I answer them.
We have a worksheet for you today so
you can bring this answer into your life.
You can access that at abundancepracticebuilding.com slash
links, where you'll also be able to ask
any questions you have for Ask Allison.
If you want more support, we've got some
free trainings in there too.
(00:28):
If you can't get enough Ask Allison, check
out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask
Allison library.
Welcome back to Ask Allison.
Here is today's question.
I'm so nervous about recording videos for my
practice.
I want to connect with my audience, but
every time I try, I feel awkward and
unnatural on camera.
How do you get comfortable with recording videos
(00:49):
and what advice do you have for therapists
who are struggling to show up authentically on
video?
So first I want to thank Therapy Notes
for sponsoring Ask Allison.
I've talked about them for years and you
know their features by heart if you've listened
to this for a while, but here's what
truly sets them apart.
First, they genuinely care about your experience.
It is not just about troubleshooting.
(01:10):
They actively implement user-suggested features like therapy
search, secure messaging, clinical outcome tracking, real-time
insurance checks, and a smooth super build process.
Everyone at Therapy Notes believes in the product
and wants you to love it too.
Plus, they're independently owned, which means no venture
capital and no pressure to prioritize investors over
(01:30):
customers.
This independence allows them to keep prices fair,
focus on innovation, and prioritize customer experience.
With over 100,000 therapists already on board,
they've proven that you don't have to compromise
success for quality.
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
Therapy Notes free for two months with code
ABUNDANT at therapynotes.com.
(01:51):
Hi, I'm Allison, in case you don't know
me, and we are going to talk about
getting on video without feeling super weird.
So when I first started, I was really,
really terrible on camera.
My scripts were solid and the content was
good, and I even borrowed fancy lighting and
equipment, but as soon as I hit record,
I got nervous and I could see myself
swallowing a lot.
(02:13):
I was sweating and I was just being
boring.
So I re-recorded over and over and
nothing worked.
And then I had this idea.
I invited a few therapists into my office
and recorded myself teaching them the same material
that I was trying to teach to my
camera.
And suddenly I was animated, I was energized,
and I was totally myself.
(02:33):
So here's the lesson with that.
Talking to an actual person makes a huge
difference.
If at first recording feels really stiff or
awkward, try asking a friend or a loved
one to sit behind the camera.
It's going to feel more natural like you're
having a real conversation and that green light
with that camera is not going to feel
quite as intimidating.
Next, I want you to amp it up.
(02:54):
Something that I have learned is that video
tends to flatten your energy.
If you want to show up as your
natural energetic self, you need to bring just
a little bit extra for it to show
up on camera.
So for me, that means amping my energy
up about 10%.
It's not about being fake.
It's about ensuring that my normal animation and
enthusiasm translate to the camera.
(03:17):
And on days when I'm feeling tired or
it's early in the morning, and yes, I
have recorded plenty of videos with pillow marks
still on my face, I bring even more
than 10% energy to help balance it
out.
The third is practice makes comfortable.
Practice is the thing that's going to make
the biggest difference in you being comfortable on
camera.
(03:38):
Here's what worked for me that I recommend
to all of my students.
I want you to spend just two minutes
a day recording a video on your phone.
It doesn't matter what it's about.
Just pick a topic and talk.
Bonus points if it's clinically relevant, but you
know, I would rather you just come up
with a thing, talk about your day.
I don't care just to get the practice.
Then I want you to watch it.
(03:59):
It is so uncomfortable at first.
That's the worst part.
You don't have to share these videos anywhere.
They're just for you.
If it's clinically relevant and you're like, okay,
I did a pretty good job.
Maybe you end up using it somewhere.
But if you're just talking about how much
you love your dog or the car accident
you almost got into on your way to
work today, then it's really just the practice
of speaking to a camera and then watching
(04:20):
yourself and getting over all the insecurity that
comes up with that.
Next, you do not need to be a
professional actor or news anchor to make a
good video.
What matters is really connecting with your audience,
whether you're recording for social media or your
website or course, just focus on being yourself.
I know I sound like your mom, but
(04:40):
your people that follow you don't need perfection.
They need authenticity.
And we feel like we have to be
perfect when we're on camera sometimes, but that's
actually going to push more people away than
bring people in.
So getting comfortable on camera, it's a skill.
And like any skill, it's going to get
better with practice.
Talk to a friend behind the camera, bring
a little extra energy.
(05:01):
Don't be afraid to watch and learn from
your early attempts.
Expect them to be awkward.
Please expect them to be awkward.
That way you're not going to beat yourself
up as much.
Video is a really great strategy to help
build your practice, and it is definitely not
going to build itself on its own.
Today's free worksheet includes some other popular strategies
to consider if you are building your practice.
(05:22):
DM me the word sheets to get this
week's worksheet on popular ways to market your
practice.
And you'll also be able to access all
the previous ones in the series.
You've got this.
I'm here for you.
I'll see you next time on Ask Allison.
And if you want a deeper dive on
everything video, we have an entire module in
our marketing course and the abundance party is
going to walk you through step-by-step
(05:44):
how to get really good on camera, because
I think it's a big part of the
future of building a practice.
If you would like to check that out,
then send me a DM with the word
party.
All right.
Take care.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
therapy notes is the way to go.
Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo
(06:04):
code abundant for two months free.
I hope that helped.
If you have questions for Ask Allison, or
you want to get your hands on the
worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com
slash links.
If you're listening, you probably need some support
building your practice.
(06:24):
If you're a super newbie, grab our free
checklist using the link in the show notes.
I'd love for you to follow rate and
review, but I really want you to share
this with a therapist friend.
Let's help all our colleagues build what they
want.
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