There’s something I see time and time again, especially with people starting out doing videos for their online business. The moment that little red light comes on, everything changes. The voice changes. The posture changes. Suddenly, it’s not you anymore… it’s some strange version of you that you think you’re supposed to be.
And I get it, because I’ve been there myself.
When I first started out, I didn’t just talk to the camera. I performed. I became what I thought a “proper presenter” should look and sound like. In my head, I was doing a great job. Technically, it was clean. One take, no problem. People even said it looked good.
But here’s the thing… looking good and connecting are two very different things.
⇒ Quick Win
Stop trying to “start your video properly”… and start talking.
Most people waste energy trying to nail the perfect intro, and that’s exactly where the stiffness creeps in. Instead, hit record and speak as if you’re already mid-conversation. You’ll sound more natural, more relaxed, and far more like yourself. Ironically, the less you try to sound impressive, the more engaging you become.
The Trap of the “Presenter Persona”
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to sound like someone off the telly. You watch experienced presenters, you pick up their cadence, their tone, their style… and you try to replicate it.
I did exactly that.
I found myself modelling people I admired, convincing myself that this was the way to come across as professional. And for a while, it worked… at least on the surface. But underneath, something was missing.
There was no real connection.
Because when you put on a persona, people feel it. They might not be able to explain it, but they sense that something’s off. It’s like talking to someone who’s trying just a bit too hard. You don’t quite buy it.
And online, where trust is everything, that’s a problem.
Talk Like You Would Down the Pub
Here’s the simplest way to fix it, and it’s something that completely changed how I approach video.
Just talk like you would to a mate down the pub. Perhaps slightly edited for your audience…
That’s it.
No scripts. No fancy words. No trying to sound clever or impressive. Just you, having a normal conversation.
Because if you wouldn’t speak to your partner or your mate in that “presenter voice”, why on earth would you speak to your audience like that?
It’s actually quite funny when you think about it. Imagine answering a simple question at home in full presenter mode. It’d sound ridiculous. And yet, that’s exactly what a lot of people do on camera.
The moment you drop that act, everything becomes easier. You relax. You think more clearly. And most importantly… people start to connect with you.
Advanced Strategy (Click to expand)
Start treating your content like a conversation that unfolds over time… not a one-off performance.
Most people create videos in isolation. One topic, one upload, done. But if you want to build real connections and momentum, you want to link your content through your ongoing journey. Reference what you shared yesterday. Follow up on something you were struggling with last week. Let people see the progression.
This does two powerful things…
First, it reinforces your authenticity because people can see you’re genuinely living what you’re talking about.
Second, it creates continuity, which keeps your audience coming back because they feel part of something, not just consuming random tips.
A simple way to implement this is to end your videos with a soft continuation. Something like, “I’m going to try this over the next few days… I’ll let you know how it goes.” Then actually come back and share the result.
Now you’re not just making content… you’re building a narrative people can follow. And that’s where real connection, trust, and ultimately business starts to compound.
Your Brand Isn’t a Persona… It’s You
One of the biggest shifts you need to make as an online business owner is understanding that you are the brand.
Not some polished, perfect version of you. Just you.
Your experiences, your journey, your mistakes, your wins… that’s the stuff people relate to. That’s what builds trust. Not how slick your delivery is or how “professional” you sound.
There was a time when everyone thought they had to position themselves as a leader straight away. So what did they do? They pretended. They acted like they had it all figured out when they’d only just started.
And it showed.
People became caricatures of themselves, trying to fit into this idea of what an online marketer should be. But authenticity always wins in the end. Always.
Document, Don’t Perform
If there’s one practical takeaway here, it’s this… stop trying to perform and start documenting.
Talk about what you’re learning. Talk about what you’re struggling with. Talk about what’s working and what isn’t.
You don’t need to be ten steps ahead of your audience. In fact, being one or two steps ahead is often more powerful, because it’s relatable.
There’s a simple flow you can lean into without overthinking it. This is how I felt. This is what I did. This is what I found.
That’s real. That’s honest. And that’s the kind of content people actually engage with.
Leave the Ego at the Door
Now, this is the bit that can sting a little… because it certainly did for me.
Sometimes, the thing holding you back isn’t your skill or your knowledge. It’s your ego.
I had to learn that the hard way. I was convinced I knew what I was doing. I’d been on camera for years. People told me I was good at it. So when someone close to me pointed out that I might be coming across a bit… well, a bit “presenter-like”… I didn’t take it too well at first.
But they were right.
And once I dropped that defensiveness and actually listened, everything improved.
When you let go of the need to be right, to look good, to impress… You open yourself up to real growth, not just in your videos, but in your business as a whole.
Action step (Click to expand)
Record one video today where you deliberately drop the act.
No script, no rehearsed lines, no “presenter voice”. Just pick one small thing you’ve learned recently and talk about it as if you’re explaining it to a mate. Keep it simple, keep it honest, and don’t overthink it.
Then watch it back… not for perfection, but for authenticity. Ask yourself one question:
“Does this sound like me in real life?”
If the answer’s yes, you’re on the right track.
Stop Pitching… Start Connecting
There’s a lot of noise online. A lot of shouting. A lot of “look at this amazing thing I’ve got”.
And most of it gets ignored.
Because people don’t want to be pitched to. They want to feel understood. They want to connect with someone who gets where they are.
If you focus on sharing your journey, offering value, and just being genuine, something interesting happens. People start coming to you. They ask questions. They want to know what you’re doing.
That’s when business actually starts to happen.
Not because you pushed it… but because you attracted it.
The Real Secret… There Isn’t One
If you strip all of this back, the “secret” to better videos and a stronger online presence isn’t complicated.
- Be yourself.
- Speak like a normal human being.
- Share your journey.
- Drop the ego.
That’s it.
It might not sound groundbreaking, but it works. And more importantly, it’s sustainable. You don’t have to keep up an act. You don’t have to remember a script. You just show up as you.
And when you do that consistently, people get to know you, like you, and trust you.
And in this game, that’s everything.
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