When I became a real estate agent, never in my wildest dreams did I think being on camera would be part of the job. Yet here we are, and video has become a crucial part of marketing. For many of us, showing up on camera feels daunting, and I was no different.
Years ago, I realized that video marketing was essential for promoting my listings. However, the thought of showing my face on camera? That took a whole year to overcome.
The Real Reason You Hate the Camera
It wasn’t about the video itself—it was about the fear of being judged. I found myself imagining the most irrelevant people critiquing me: that guy from high school, the agent I just worked with. What would they think if they saw my video? These mental dialogues wasted so much emotional energy and amplified my insecurities
The Turning Point
The key to overcoming this fear? Stop focusing on yourself.
Shift the spotlight from what others might think to the client you’re trying to serve. If you immerse yourself in understanding your ideal client—their worries, questions, and aspirations—it becomes easier to drown out the noise of people who don’t matter. When you focus on helping your clients, the fear of judgment fades into the background.
Building Comfort with Video
One of the easiest ways to ease into being on camera is to make it part of your daily routine. FaceTime, for instance, is something many of us already use, but somehow recording a video for business feels much more intimidating.
I tested this theory with one of my coaching students. Instead of texting me, I asked her to send video messages. At first, she was stiff and uncomfortable. But after about 20 minutes of back-and-forth video messaging, the transformation was incredible. She became more relaxed, natural, and confident.
Building Comfort with Video
The reality is, everyone feels awkward at the beginning. The trick is to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just rip the band-aid off. The more you practice, the easier it gets, and before you know it, being on camera will feel like second nature.
The only thing standing between you and mastering video marketing is getting started. Your clients need you, and they’re far more important than any imaginary critic in your head.
Lacey Newman is a founding coach of The Helm and the creator and coach of The Elevated Agent Collective and The Elevated Agent Academy. You can learn more about her here.