How To Talk to the Camera (Maintain Eye Contact without Memorising)

How to talk to the camera naturally & fluently, and maintain eye contact without memorising your lines, fumbling your words or sounding robotic? In this video, I reveal my 6 tips for how to speak to the camera and be confident and comfortable on camera while giving your audience an authentic viewing experience.
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[@SalmaJafri]

DOWNLOAD MY PRE-CAMERA ROUTINE CHECKLIST (contains all the stuff I do to get camera-ready!): salmajafri.com/cameraconfidence/ Have you ever looked off-camera and pretended otherwise? Share your silly story here about any mishaps that occur while filming (c'mon we've all been there!)

[@sherreymasinyo9318]

I forgot my lines once i look again to the camera or its hard to stay looking at the camera..

[@CoachAdaeze]

When my phone is horinzontal during a live struggle with focusing on the lens.

[@Daniel_Batal]

Great advice! I know a lot of mobile device users have a really tough time staring at the front-facing lens instead of themselves on the phone screen. An interesting tip is to use a hole punch reinforcement sticker (you know those circle-shaped stickers you use in a 3 ring binder so that pages don't rip out as easily?) Stick one of those around the lens and it'll make it very easy to remind you where you should be looking while filming.

[@SalmaJafri]

That's a 5 star tip Daniel! I remember using those ring stickers back in grade school 😀 Super useful stuff. I actually think if you look away from the lens deliberately every now and again, it makes it easier to come back to it.

[@Daniel_Batal]

Oh, I'm like a bobble-head doll. I'm all over the place. I need to take your advice. I do try to focus my energy at the lens, though.

[@SalmaJafri]

@@Daniel_Batal I wouldn't force it though. Personality matters and how you express it differentiates you :) Also, listen to your audience. If they like your style, stick with it.

[@Daniel_Batal]

I'm different, alright. :D

[@limo9402]

I have no idea what type of sticker that is, is it a normal small green sticker?

[@LironSegev]

Superb tips - I also leave myself notes like "ignore the first bit" or "put a graphic here" so it helps me remember when I edit later (which could be days or weeks later)

[@SalmaJafri]

Great point Liron! I typically have those B-roll things in the Video Script so I can plan them out before filming :) But for the messups, It's good to leave yourself visual cues!

[@ParkJimin-nb8xi]

It's even more difficult while presenting on a zoom meeting like i can't look at my face without thinking oh damn i look ugly and then i forget what i was about to say lmao

[@devil7553]

yes exactly

[@limo9402]

Just relax and mind your business

[@GordIsman]

Great tips Salma! I'm in a Voice for Success group program now and a few of these tips are what we try to execute on as part of vocal variety (e.g. pause and conversation elements).

[@SalmaJafri]

Ooh sounds interesting Gord, what are some other tips that work for you?

[@dang5312]

I was skeptical about being able to find something on this topic. Your video was the first of my results. You brought up great points that I didn't even consider. This was well done and informative! Thank you! 💖😃

[@ReinventedDelaware]

This was so helpful!! Especially where to look!! Thanks!!

[@YouTubeOrganicMarketing]

I agree!

[@TlangiBaloyi]

So spot on and straight to the point. Thank you, I enjoyed the video 😊.

[@puntkickpov]

I needed something like this as I am about to start uploading face cam videos on a niche here on KZbin. Thank you for this masterpiece Salma! ❤️

[@JOXVOX]

Thank you for taking the time to create this ,I have learned more already from your video

[@syriesanica5988]

Thank you for the Great tip, Salma I always use presentation slides in a teleprompter, it helps me to look directly into the camera without a worry of memorizing my script by simply using my existing slides and my speech remains natural, the tool I use does not force me to read word for word

[@Whats_Up_Chicken-Butt]

WOW! AWESOME info thank you so much! I'm looking forward to watching ALL of your videos! xoox

[@SalmaJafri]

Great to have you here on the channel. I also have a Facebook group you should join here: facebook.com/groups/personalbrandingwithvideo/?ref=share

[@heracleo_]

Thank you so much. This is very helpful..

[@H.pylori]

Excellent points. Thank you.

[@jabirdigibiz9673]

Useful tips madam... Thank you so much

[@MixPur]

Yes

[@JasonYJS_xoxo]

Thank u so much for the hack, I wished I had known it sooner

[@SangeetasKreations]

Namaste Salma, oh YES dear. I m still practicing how to talk front of the Camera. My problem is that I dont talk much but for my craft videos I have to explain n for my viwers I hv to keep connecting with them. I hope your tips will hel me a lot. Thx Namaste🙏🙏😘😘

[@lindamorden4896]

Yes!!!!😆 Thank you so much!

[@Official_prashaant]

Thanks for this vdo, informative tips 😊🙏🏻

[@spikebor]

thanks for your helpful tip mrs !

[@beatboxcoyote3615]

Very helpful thanks

[@ashvanikumar370]

Very useful and much needed information. Thank you, Salma.

[@SalmaJafri]

Thanks!

[@sfdigital]

Thanks Salma, great video :)

[@SalmaJafri]

Great to know, thank you for being here :)

[@MrStevepga1]

ya, big problem,thanks for yr soulution

[@vimalthomas5578]

Yes😂😂, that’s y I’m here

[@designertree]

After watching one video subscribed! Awesome work.

[@MargauxNyambura]

I needed this tips

[@RogerFoxwellHypnotherapy]

Great tips thanks

[@thenutrilawyer9236]

Thanks for this practical tips, Salma!

[@SalmaJafri]

Any time!

[@user-vc3ct1qq4i]

Thank you so much..

[@SunilKumarDipa]

Very Nice mam ... I'm your big fan ... It's very helpful for me.

[@geetawarad930]

Hi Salma loved your tips

[@nirmalalama2299]

Thank you ❤️

[@travelingunschoolers937]

yes for sure!

[@yusmasstyle246]

yes did it and don't want to do it again thanks

[@gauravsampangvlogs5330]

So helpful 😁

[@SreesBlissfuliciousWorld]

Thank you so much... I'm shooting videos and deleting I couldn't make it to the camera.. It's really tough.. Thanks for ur tips hope very soon my dream will come true

[@susyjcobwebs]

yes, this is something that I have to fix.

[@andrieslee1716]

Thank you for the video Salma, What if I use slides in a teleprompter with PPT Mirror tool that can display the slides in a TTL (through the lens), Would it be a good option to level up my video quality, and mastering eye contact with viewers?.

[@americandean8083]

Great review, Salma What do you think about the idea of presenting using slides with bullet points in a teleprompter, isn't it an overt guide to maintain eye contact as you always have the whole concept in mind and you don't go for word for word when reading?.

[@dub7782]

Thank you

[@MountainAdventureVlogs]

Yes I do this

[@SalmaJafri]

Awesome

[@thatswhatisaidCA]

Great tips, Salma. Laughed a few times. One of my pet peeves of YTubers is when they don't look at the lens, at the person watching. AAAGH! Even famous hard-working highly visible career KZbinrs are looking "not" at the person watching, but slightly off, probably at the screen of their phone (your #6 here). Drives me inSANE. Just joined your FB page, yay. :)

[@SalmaJafri]

Great to have you in the group!!

[@thatswhatisaidCA]

@@SalmaJafri :)

[@YouTubeOrganicMarketing]

Interesting! I just did a video about this as well.

[@babakiya3720]

I love it

[@muhammadans5951]

Best tips

[@rmthayer1]

A sorely I have looked away while recoding hospitality lectures for Kent State University.

[@teryckcoles]

Yes!

[@rahulayyambadan]

YES

[@brainstem2023]

Yes, I've looked off camera. I also have difficulty figuring out the best placement for my camera.

[@shashiaansoo]

Useful

[@NKWELEX]

i am starting this but you sound good

[@materials3d779]

yes!

[@bibo90]

Superb

[@dejodelaar3431]

yes

[@muhammadans5951]

Respect from Pakistan ❤

[@crmpadvertmedia]

yes some time

[@DrMarkWaller]

I've been having trouble looking at the camera since I'm using a built in web cam that is at the top of the screen and my conversational subject is on the screen below. Your first suggestion is the fix. I need a bright pointer showing me the webcam. Duh! Thanks Salma!

[@anetatrybuszewska8967]

Yes I do :)

[@MASQ1413]

Good Advise...Ty ..(from India)

[@SalmaJafri]

Thanks for watching!

[@YETRAHomeLife]

Yes😁

[@themichaelmaciel]

Yep, all the time.

[@sandimiller5187]

Where look if interviewing sometime for a channel video? When they are talking do I look at the lense or them or both?

[@crc5035]

Go girl keep it up

[@radreadsco]

#4 was so helpful. I always trip up bc I'm trying to go to fist

[@gurusankasing2778]

yes ✌

[@compraise-paranaque1927]

yes ... always ...=)

[@SaSeshen]

I liked this video as well, but I am wondering... Sometimes when I am looking directly at the lens, the center no less, it feels like I am still looking somewhere other than at the "person" is this me overthinking it, or are some of the Fish eye effects the way our eyes have to adjust to the lens of the camera?

[@SalmaJafri]

Watch yourself back and see if it looks okay. If it does, you're probably overthinking it.

[@doonersdomains]

Great advice Salma.

[@SalmaJafri]

Thank you Michael. What's your favourite takeaway? 😃

[@doonersdomains]

@@SalmaJafri Actually Salma about to start a Fast Food Channel Review of KFC McDonalds etc

[@SalmaJafri]

@@doonersdomains Oooh interesting! Do you plan to have your face on camera for the food reviews?

[@doonersdomains]

@@SalmaJafri Definitely in a car

[@doonersdomains]

Stay tuned...lol

[@monicamomney8756]

Isn’t it so hard with the camera being on the far side of the phone? Omg thank you I just want to sing to people

[@changchesserly7591]

Brilliant tips! Thank you so much this is a game changer . . . 💕💕💕

[@r.rohlupuia2371]

We are going to take a Photo for our college magazine tommorow and here I am😂

[@AjayMishraUIUXDesigner]

you are genius

[@jessicacraighead5348]

Great video :)

[@SalmaJafri]

Thanks Jessica! What's your biggest challenge with looking at the camera and trying to remember your content? :) Would love to know!

[@jessicacraighead5348]

@@SalmaJafri My biggest challenge is silly. I am using my iPhone still because I am a newbie (I have not purchased a vlogging camera YET) So I continue to forget to look at the lens and not myself. I am getting better, though. When I am put on the spot I do forget what I am saying but as i am in front of the camera more the nervousness is going away.

[@kunalsoni4499]

What was that flipcam point? I didn't get that...

[@wesleybennett9058]

Yep, that was me. Trying to be sneaky and read lines off screen. Looked like I was being held hostage.

[@LetsGetBetterYT]

Please how do you make your background?

[@SalmaJafri]

It's a green screen. I have a video explaining how to do it, look up "green screen" videos on my channel

[@Sr.Rakthai]

I stared at the lens, tried focusing at different back lengths and still it seems like I'm focusing somewhere else. I'm tired.

[@FLipSide5254]

lots of people do number 6. They're looking at their self because they said they feel more comfortable that way, although I wonder if they've noticed that they aren't looking at the camera if they're looking at themselves even after editing. I mean it's kind of impossible not to tell where they're looking at.

[@SalmaJafri]

100%

[@aeong-ingfromsunrisetosuns4632]

YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS

[@poojajainpretty]

When I shoot videos I raise my eyebrows too much.. and also stress on one side of lip while speaking and smiling

[@aradhanakamal]

I have to present in my next class so I need to make a video so I am confused where to look

[@sandimiller5187]

Sometimes I put my sticky notes on the screen side not covering up the camera. I don't look down as much

[@bijoybasumatary4651]

I did it multiple times haha

[@madansuthar56.]

Video start 2:00

[@kambiakmungyoutuber3624]

Hello

[@Mary-mj7le]

i AM the media

[@MindbendingFilms]

🥳

[@shubhamchoudhary1044]

Yes i have done many time😂

[@NanetteFloydPatterson]

Yep...

[@SalmaJafri]

Great job admitting it Nanette! What has worked for you to keep eye contact with your audience?

[@NanetteFloydPatterson]

@@SalmaJafri I keep saying to myself..."Nanette, look into the camera." The odd thing is that I have a tendency to widen my eyes unknowingly. Lol. I've accepted that that just me...🙃

[@SalmaJafri]

@@NanetteFloydPatterson Are you kidding - I DO THAT TOO!!! (sorry didn't mean to shout, you got me excited haha) In fact my daughter paused one of my videos and my eyes are so wide, it's actually scary!

[@NanetteFloydPatterson]

@@SalmaJafri Lol

[@OlderWomenRock]

If using your phone don’t be like a woman I know ! tempted to look at the screen and not the little round dot at the top which is the lens ! ( bottom when phone is horizontal)

[@greatcommissiontv7477]

Me...

[@jonahcamcam3833]

Yes, I am guilty with that and speak like a robot :)

[@LadyBonafide20]

Starting up a KZbin channel and I'm always looking aside🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mrsprice3560]

Start 1:55

[@AshTheDuke]

Yes am doing wrong on TikTok

[@kambiakmungyoutuber3624]

I don't dunt

[@freelyrenee3494]

Yesss hahaha

[@Intrinsik9569]

🙋‍♂️