126 - Social Video: If You Don’t Know Where to Start, Start Here

You know video is essential in 2026. But you feel awkward on camera. And even if you put that aside, you don't know how to get started. 

This is for you. In this episode, I share some of what I teach in the first session of my Smarter, Faster, Fun Video Bootcamp. Including what you really need to get started creating video today. 

Top Takeaways

🔹Everybody feels uncomfortable on camera when they start
🔹The BOCA method helps banish camera anxiety in 14-days
🔹Recording one line at a time saves time recording and editing your videos
🔹All you need to start creating video is your smartphone
🔹Wireless lavaliers will immediately make your videos more professional.
🔹Start with basic, inexpensive equipment and invest as needed
🔹Recording video every day will improve on-camera presence
🔹Mindset is crucial for effective video communication
🔹Your audience cares more about your message than your appearance.
🔹Video creation can be fun and manageable with the right techniques.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Overcoming Camera Anxiety
01:45 Recording Techniques for Success
04:10 The Importance of Mindset in Video Creation

🔷If you're listening to this podcast, video feels way harder than it should.  If you're ready to make video a priority, and not spend hours making a 60-sec video visit BlackDogMarketingStrategies.com

 Join me in The Lab on Substack, my space to test, tweak, and share smart ideas worth chasing, especially around video, content strategy, and showing up online without burning out (or wasting your weekends) Click Here

📌 When you’re ready to make creating engaging social media videos a priority, I offer 1:1 coaching and done-with-you video services. 😉 Click Here

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➡️ Need more? Check out the 300+ videos on my YouTube channel Click here for my YouTube channel 

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For additional insights, connect with Annette Richmond and Black Dog Marketing Strategies on social media.
Substack: https://substack.com/@annetterichmond
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com...

Transcript

Annette Richmond (00:10.584)
Hi, I'm Annette Richmond. Thanks for joining me for this episode. A lot of people are uncomfortable on camera. They worry about how they look and how they sound and whether or not people are judging them. Now that discomfort alone is enough to stop them from creating video at all. And if they do create them, they don't share the videos. I get it. I've been there.

That’s why, when students join my programs, one of the first things they learn is the BOCA or Banish On-Camera Anxiety technique to get more comfortable on camera. Today, I want to share a few things we covered in the first session of my Smarter, Faster, Fun Video Bootcamp, which focuses on recording smarter.+


Annette Richmond (01:55.306)
One of the reasons people hate video is because they try to record the entire video in one sitting. And they mess up because we all do. The real mistake is they start from the beginning again and mess up again and end up spending an hour trying to record a 90 second video. Naturally, they feel frustrated and sometimes they decide they hate video and it's just not for them. Because video was way harder for them than it needs to be.

Annette Richmond (02:34.145)
This is why I recommend recording one line at a time. Write a short script or a few notes and record one line at a time. Pause and say the next line. When you mess up, as I said, we all do, you only need to re-record that one line. Pausing for a few seconds between mistakes makes it much easier to edit later.

Making this one change will make video feel much more manageable for you.

Annette Richmond (03:13.205)
Now to get started with video, all you really need is your smartphone and an editing app. I always recommend CapCut because it's user friendly, it's available for Android and iPhone, and it's free. Now like Canva, there are a few features like auto background removal that require you to upgrade to a pro subscription. Now I create a lot of videos and I teach others how to create videos.

So a pro version is right for me. It might not be right for you, but CapCut offers a monthly subscription so you can give it a try.

Annette Richmond (03:53.75)
Now my bootcamp isn't for people who want to learn about video. It's for people who want to actually create video. So part of it is a series of challenges. And after our first session, one of my bootcamp attendees asked if she needed to go out and get a wireless lavalier to do her homework. And of course my answer was no. When you're new to video, just start with your phone.

Annette Richmond (04:27.233)
When you decide you can invest in one piece of equipment, that's when I recommend getting a wireless lavalier. Now, they were pretty expensive several years ago, but now you can get a solid pair of wireless lavaliers for about 30 bucks. And getting a wireless lav will immediately make your videos sound much more professional. The reason I recommend wireless is because I had a corded

lavalier and I hardly ever used it. Attaching it to my clothing was a hassle. Staying within the length of the cord was annoying. So much so that I rarely ever even used it. Now a wireless lab that clips on and isn't tied to your phone makes it so much easier. And making things easier is what helps you create video. Now I talk about BOCA.

Annette Richmond (05:29.611)
Now I talk about BOCA banish on camera anxiety a lot. It's the first thing I teach my clients and what most people remember from my presentations. If you still feel uncomfortable on camera and you haven't heard about video before, this is how it works. Record one video a day on your phone for 14 days, a tip, a techniques, something that you would share with a client.

Now don't share them, don't even look at them. On day 15, watch the videos from the oldest to the newest and you will see and likely feel a difference.

Now people tell me that I'm a natural on camera and the truth is I'm really not. And I have examples where I look like I'm reading a hostage video to prove it. While BOCA will definitely help you get more comfortable on camera, the most important thing is your mindset. Now, one thing that I always remember hearing from a speaking coach years ago is nobody cares what you look like.

Nobody cares what you sound like. All they care about is if your message is relevant and helpful to them. So thanks so much for joining me today. If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a friend. I bet they'll thank you and I'll see you next time.