Welcome! It’s exciting to get a chance to get you on as a featured video coach! If any of our readers haven’t already heard of you, please tell us, who you are and what you do professionally!
BIANCA TE RITO / STEBIAN: Thank you – it is a privilege to be here.
Through my company STEBIAN.com, I offer a personalized, virtual, video presentation coaching service to help people deliver masterful video presentations: whether it is for sales presentations, video blogging, video interviews, or sharing their thought leadership online.
In summary, I help people to look good online with video!
What initially compelled you to become a video marketing leader through Stebian?
STEBIAN: My background has been in TV and Film, working in front of the camera as an actor in short films, television soap operas, music videos, and as a presenter and spokesperson in TV commercials. I’ve also spent time working behind the camera in a talent casting agency, and have worked in post-production edit suites as part of an advertising firm.
I’ve featured in print media as fitness cover model, as well as featuring in numerous commercial, advertising and fashion campaigns.In summary, my skillset has prepared me to know exactly what it takes to present your “best self” on camera.
My husband and I are both originally from New Zealand. We travel a lot due to his software and consulting business.
In the last five years we have lived in New Zealand, Canada and the USA, so I wanted to create a virtual business that I could operate from anywhere in the world. I started offering my video presentation coaching service when I was engaged by the partners of a well-known Nth American accounting firm to teach them how to express themselves more effectively online.
This then led me to coaching a couple of well-known business book authors to help them to create video presentations, and my video presentation coaching business grew by referral from there.
Most of my clients are already successful in their field, (although I work with many startups too). They may even be skilled at presenting on stage to a live audience, but they have come to the realization that presenting to a video camera requires a completely different skillset and that’s what they come to me for.
Tell us about your product/service, and what you offer?
STEBIAN: I offer a two Step process in most client engagements:
In Step one, I analyze the effectiveness of your current video presentation footage, and provide a detailed personalized report that contains annotated screenshots captured from your video performance to illustrate each of my recommendations on what you are doing well, what you need to do to improve, a and a list of practical suggestions about how to improve the technical aspects of your filming set up, as well as your on-screen performance.
My aim in Step one is to deliver “straight up” honest feedback and valuable insights that will help you make immediate improvements in your video presentations.
Step two is where my clients work with me on an ongoing basis as their own personal Video Presentation Coach.
This is where I teach you how to:
Plan and organize your content delivery for best filming results
Identify your best camera angles, camera framing, lighting, background settings
Create a strong first impression that hooks your viewers in
Adopt the secrets top actors use to connect with the camera
Use the techniques that top actors use to manage anxiety and tension
Overcome unconscious mannerisms that detract from your performance
Avoid common mistakes that can detract from your personal brand
Develop body awareness to identify and release stored tension
Establish the right energy level and subtext for your message
Use body language / clothing / make-up / eye contact / gestures for maximum effect
Develop onscreen congruency, so that your look matches your message
This is an ongoing process where my clients record a series of video promotions for me, and I work with them virtually, coaching them until they achieve their desired standard of performance.
Why video? Video (before the internet) been around for a long time in various mediums already – why is it suddenly so important now?
STEBIAN: Ten years ago most people did not own a video camera. And for those that did, it was a bulky thing that recorded onto a tape. Getting the content off the tape and onto other formats that you could share with an audience was clumsy and time consuming to say the least.
Now the vast majority of us carry smartphones, tablets and other video recording devices with us wherever we go, and can capture a video recording and upload it to an online platform that can be viewed by millions in a matter of seconds.
The amount of video being recorded and uploaded has literally exploded. YouTube has something like 100 hours of video being uploaded every second.
Quite simply, it is very simple now to promote yourself and/or your business on video. But just because something is simple to do, does not mean that you are going to do a good job at it. I see too many people making crucial mistakes that can undermine their success and detract from your personal and business brand. The sad thing is, they don’t even know they are delivering a poor performance!
Google Glass Video Recording! You’re involved with a very unique project – tell us more about this.
STEBIAN: Well it’s still early days. I have only recently received my Google Glass device, so like the other people on the Glass Explorers program, I am still discovering its potential.
I am very excited to be a part of exploring how wearable devices such as Glass are going to change who we are as people. Wearable technology impacts us on a much more personal level. We can potentially record anything with minimal effort and with little indication to others that we are doing so. Obviously, this brings up some interesting debates on privacy.
You can’t stop progress though, and people seem to be willing to forgo some privacy in order to have a more personalized technology experience.
FYI: PERSONAL VLOG VIDEO: LEAD-UP TO GLASS:
Very interesting! What are some notable observations you have about using video and Google Glass?
STEBIAN: As with any new technology, the innovators and early adopters are experimenting like crazy and this is great because that will lead to new use cases and applications that we can’t even imagine yet.
Filming with Glass offers a true “first person point of view” perspective. A great advantage of the first person point of view is that we get to see exactly what the Glass wearer is seeing. On the flipside, the great disadvantage is exactly the same thing; we are forced to see exactly what you are seeing.
After the initial novelty of seeing videos from Google Glass wore off, it quickly made me realize how nauseating the whole experience can be for the viewer, especially if the Glass wearer is moving their head around, as we do in normal life – our eyes dart around to look at what is happening around us in our environment.
A second observation is the contrast in audio levels when people are using Glass to interview another person.
Although the device has probably not been designed with this use in mind (i.e. capturing the conversations of other people due to privacy concerns), Glass wearers will still want to record conversations they are participating in. The problem with this is the uneven volume levels in the video recording. The Glass wearer’s voice sounds normal, but the interview subject sounds too quiet, and it can become quite distracting to watch after a while.
It can also make the Glass wearer sound like they are dominating the interview.
What are the big opportunities you can see for future applications with Google Glass Videos?
STEBIAN: If someone can create an App that normalizes the volume levels of the Glass wearer and the person they are interviewing or speaking to, they could become a good device for first person video interviews. An intimate conversation recorded with Google Glass may be less threatening to a novice than staring at a camera.
Plus, the viewer will feel like the person is actually talking to them because it is more like having a conversation with a person, rather than speaking to a video camera.
You see, many people get intimidated and feel nervous when they speak to a video camera. They tend to fall into two groups that I call “Zombies” and “Jim Carreys”
In the Zombie camp are those who become self-conscious when they feel nervous. It might be because they don’t like how they look. Or they don’t like the way they sound. Or they are not sure how to present themselves effectively to the video camera. As a result, they project very little social energy. They shut down their displays of emotion and come across as “flat” or “wooden” in their delivery.
Other people overcompensate and force their energy.
They “chew up the scenery” in a way that makes Jim Carrey look subtle. This approach can look fake and quickly becomes tiresome onscreen, because it lacks authenticity, or any real connection with the camera. This style may be appropriate if you are a theater actor appearing in a play, or a public speaker presenting on a stage when you need to make sure the people in the back row of the theater can see your exaggerated facial expression.
However, it is not ideal for presenting on video where everything you do on screen will be magnified.
Remember, the viewer of your video presentation is only an arm’s length away from you on their viewing screen. This is an intimate distance, and very different compared to if you were presenting to a live audience, or even if you were meeting face to face.
What do you think will be the most common fears that we will see first-timers using their Google Glass and recording video will get stuck up on?
STEBIAN: Initially it will be the two items I have mentioned; the excessive head movement, and the contrasting volume levels.
Glass wearers will need to learn to move their head and body in a way that creates a positive viewing experience for the viewer, rather than give them motion sickness. My advice is to “be like Arnold”. Imagine you are playing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cyborg character in the Terminator, as he slowly and smoothly moves his head from side to side to look around.
I recommend that Glass wearers keep their heads as still as possible, and if you need to look up, down, left, or right; do so by moving your head slowly and smoothly. Likewise, if you need to move-in for a closer look, lean in with your body or step forward slowly. By all means, let your eyes dart around (e.g. if you have to glance at your script notes), but try to keep your head as still as possible.
As for the uneven volume levels, perhaps someone will develop a specific App or “interview mode” soon. For now, my suggestion is for the Glass wearer to speak normally, or perhaps a little quieter than normal, and the interviewee (the person you are speaking to) be encouraged to speak up louder than normal, so that the volume levels are evened out.
And Google app developers, if you’re listening and you are building an App for videoing with Google Glass, I’d love you to build one that responds to blinks, nods, and hand gestures so we can pause and continue filming and perform edits on the fly!
(Please go into depth – full paragraphs and points if possible. Attach images that we may embed for examples if you have them).
Why does video work to gets buyers to make purchases or take the first step to making the purchase?
STEBIAN: When you see someone presenting on video, you can see that you are dealing with a real human being, rather than a faceless brand and that can help to build trust.
But sadly, I see too many people undermine all their hard work because they don’t know the secrets of how to give a successful video performance. It’s vital to manage your first impressions, whether you are doing video presentations for your personal brand or business brand.
Initially, your viewer may have no idea who you are or what you do. Or they may view your video outside of your web platform or out of context.
First time viewers can be less forgiving and simply judge you by what they see.
A study by Harvard stated that: “Within a few seconds people have judged your social and economic level, your level of education, and even your level of success. Within minutes, they’ve also decided your level of intelligence, trustworthiness, competence, friendliness, and confidence”.
You only get one shot at making a positive first impression (that’s in the flesh). Imagine how that translates to your business video, where your viewer can pause, replay or go-full screen on your presentation and scrutinize you even more intensely?
I’m going to share one of my pet peeves. Selling yourself (or your business) by filming yourself giving a video presentation has become increasingly popular, and many people are jumping on the bandwagon, which is fine.
But here’s the thing – they follow each other’s recommendations like sheep, and suggest that when fronting your own videos you should…
“Be authentic. Just be yourself”.
Wrong!
Yes, you need to be authentic, but I always stress to my clients that the key to creating compelling online video presentations is not merely to “be yourself” – rather it is to be your “best self.” That means learning how to master your emotions, set the scene, choose your best camera angles, and create the right framing to list a few things off the top of my head. I’m sure they mean well, but I shake my head in disbelief when I read filming advice from people who obviously have never set foot on a film set.
Do sweat the small stuff if you are fronting your own online videos – it’s your face out there representing your personal/business brand.
Put in the effort, with the aim to take your audience on a fun, emotional ride!
What are the top tips you have for a newbie starting out to create their very own video with Google Glass?
STEBIAN: Here are a couple of quick tips that everyone can benefit from:
Framing.
When we first start taking photos or filming people on video, we tend to put the subject of our filming right smack in the middle of the camera frame. It seems like the right thing to do, but actually it is big no-no! The “Rule of Thirds” has been well-known to artists for centuries.
It is also one of the first concepts taught in courses to photographers and video camera operators. The “Rule of Thirds” teaches you how to create balanced and interesting compositions within the camera frame. Instead of placing the person (or object) being filmed in the dead center of the camera frame, the visual appearance will look better if they appear slightly off to one side.
Lighting.
It sounds obvious, but so many people make this mistake that it’s worth pointing out. The light source (whether it is the sun or studio lighting) should be behind the camera operator (Glass wearer). I see so many people being filmed indoors with windows behind them and all you can see is their silhouette!
In addition to the Google Glass, what video gear/resources would you recommend for a beginner?
STEBIAN: Whilst I do a lot of vlogging using my smartphone camera for fun and when I am travelling, I would never recommend using your phone camera to record video presentations. Do not use the webcam on your computer either.
These tools will severely limit you.
You don’t need to be a Spielberg, nor do you need to spend a fortune on the latest high tech equipment to look good online, but if you want to record video presentations to promote your company or personal brand in a powerful, compelling way you will need to purchase some basic pieces of equipment.
A reputable brand HD camcorder with a decent lens and sensor, the ability to plug in an external microphone, and a LCD panel that rotates around so you can view yourself in the frame while it is filming you.
You also want a remote control small enough to hide in the palm of your hand, to control the camera while you are filming. This is a big plus if you are filming yourself and don’t have the luxury of a camera assistant.
Tripod, preferably 72-Inch, with built in bubble level.
A good quality microphone. Either a lapel microphone, or one that can mount to your video camera for better quality sound
If you are really serious, I also recommend you invest in portable studio lighting kit.
Editor: Video producer Jon Cambourne has covered a lot of great Top 10 Must Have Video Gear in part one and part two lists!
Tell us more – go into depth about your video coaching services!
STEBIAN: Being able to present effectively via online video, web conferences, video interviews, and webinars has become a vital skill for the leaders of tomorrow.
If you wanted to work with me, typically, you are a person who wants to make a name for yourself. You are a rising star. You want to be in the spotlight, and you want to shine when you get there. You want to learn how to present yourself and your messages effectively on video, but lack the time or the technical skills to know how to do so.
What you won’t get: is one of those ubiquitous, one size fits all, cookie cutter “video content marketing” packages that are promoted online. They contain generic tips that are superficial at best, and don’t really help you to improve your video presentations. It is unlikely that these providers have ever been paid to work in a professional capacity in front of the camera as an actor or presenter, or paid to work behind the camera in TV advertising and film production.
What you will get: is an intimate, personalized coaching service from an expert who has spent more than 20 years working in front of the camera; performing lead roles in short films, TV soap operas, TV commercials, corporate videos, music videos, radio commercials, as well as featuring as a model in fitness, commercial and fashion campaigns. I’ve also worked behind the camera evaluating the on-screen performance of thousands of people as part of a casting agency.
To summarize, I know what works and what doesn’t on camera, and will show you exactly what you can improve on. No BS, just straight-up, honest feedback from someone who truly knows what they talking about and is passionate about making you look good online.
Glad to have you on, and that we’re finally able to get your company featured as part of the ReelMarketer interview series!
What are the best way for someone to get started with your company to see if your services are a fit?
STEBIAN: Thank you so much for having me on Reel Marketer. It has been a pleasure.
The best way to contact me is via the contact form on my website www.STEBIAN.com and hopefully you already have some current video footage that you can send to me to analyze.
For a small investment you will receive my personalized insights that will help you make immediate improvements in your video presentations.
You’ll also get an experience of what it would be like to have me as your own personal Video Presentation Coach, should we choose to continue working together to help you create masterful video presentations.
Reel Marketer on Google+