“The National Institute of Mental Health reports that public speaking anxiety, or glossophobia, affects about 73% of the population.”
Are you part of this population? It’s good to know you’re not alone.
Because of the pandemic, big conferences are now mostly online. The fear of going live has replaced the fear of public speaking.
In this blog post, we will cover two main points:
✅Understanding where the fear is coming from, so you can address it.
✅Practical tips to overcome the fear of going live, so you can go live right away.
If you want to see the practical tips right away, proceed to the middle part of this blog post. If you’re interested to learn more about the bigger picture, start here.
Why are you scared of going live?
The real reason why you’re scared is because you’re afraid to screw up. You think about imaginable consequences when you screw up. You make it all about you.
Think about your viewers. Making an impact in their lives because of one live video can be very powerful. Dr. Grace Lee, a career coach and YouTuber, speaks more about it in this inspiring video.
You start even though you’re scared.
I have a degree in broadcast communication. I have seven years of livestreaming experience both as a host and as a producer. But you know what? I’m still scared every time I go live!
Stop waiting until the fear disappears because it won’t! No matter how good you are. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic, has the best analogy for this. You shouldn’t get rid of fear. You should be grateful because Fear keeps you safe. However, when you’re off on a creative adventure, it’s okay for Fear to be in the car, but only in the back seat. You will be in the driver’s seat, taking full control.
Why it’s okay to screw up on your livestream
Prepare everything, but don’t beat yourself up when something goes wrong.
People don’t expect a livestream or you to be perfect.
Viewers already know that live broadcasts can have hiccups sometimes. This is even true for live TV broadcasts. In fact, people watch live videos because it is the most authentic way to showcase your brand. You can’t edit a live video!
You can always delete it.
- Here’s a screenshot of the livestream that I almost deleted. Going live with your baby in the carrier is a thing!
If you think that the broadcast is not worth sharing, then you can delete it or make it private. I don’t delete my videos because I want to look back and see how much I’ve improved.
I once went live to train how moms can start going live. It was the start of the first round of lockdowns. My baby was a newborn then. He cried in the middle of the stream. I had to turn off the camera to nurse him. This was happening while I was speaking and showing my screen. The show went on! I asked the organizer of the live training if I should delete it. But she said:
“No, don’t delete it! It’s a fitting livestream. You were showing moms how it’s possible to livestream with a newborn.”
The delete option is there whenever you need it.
It’s a great way to showcase your skills.
You know the best way to tell someone’s character? It’s how quickly they can turn a bad situation into a good one. Miriam Quiambao, a famous Miss Universe contestant in 1999, tripped and fell while walking in her evening gown. She didn’t lose her poise and immediately stood up like nothing happened. People shouted out of surprise when she fell and then clapped their hands when she stood back up with grace.
So, in the event that you made a mistake in your livestream, it’s okay! Just keep going. Maybe you will get more comments!
How to Prepare For Your Livestream
Okay, now you’re convinced that it’s fun and cool to go live. It’s time to share actionable strategies that you can use every time you go live.
Prepare your outline.
When I’m going live, I write an outline. Outline is my best friend.
- This is a screenshot of my outline from Notion.
Having an outline might help lessen your fear of not knowing what to say. Erin Cell of Socially Powered, talk more about the different types of fears related to livestreaming here.
You don’t have to write everything down, but you need to create the structure of your show. Just like an article, it also needs to have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
If you’re unsure, livestreaming tools like BeLive have an outline prepared within the studio for the most common live video formats: Q and A, Live Interviews, and Live Sales. You can learn more about it here.
Practice what you’re going to say.
When I have a livestream coming up, I usually practice when I’m washing the dishes. I say the important points out loud. Saying this ahead of time helps me become more confident.
Practice the flow of your show.
Besides hosting your show, you also need to think about the production of your show. When will you share your screen? What’s the best layout when you’re talking and sharing your screen? Do you have a guest? When will you do a split screen or a full screen of your guest? I usually go over this flow in my head. Elizabeth Harmon sees a chessboard in the ceiling and practices her moves. For me, I see the BeLive Studio.
Don’t overthink this! Just think about the overall flow.
Use BeLive’s Title and private note to help you with a script.
When I make the outline for the show, I also make production notes. On the BeLive Studio, you can add a Title with a private note. It’s similar to Google Slides where viewers see what’s in the slide, but they don’t see the presentation’s notes.
You can put the important points, questions to your guests, or a reminder when to switch the layout in these private notes.
Other tips to help you overcome your fear of livestreaming
Practice in a private group.
You don’t have to go live publicly right away. You can always practice in a private group. In the BeLive Studio, you have the option to do an offline recording or a test broadcast.
I also have a private group for the BeLive team to do test broadcasts.
Surround yourself with likeminded people.
Join a group with fellow livestreamers who understand what you’re going through. We have built a community of more than 27,000 content creators and business owners, BeLivers, who are going live regularly.
If you’re unsure of anything, you can always ask people there. I’m always there to help out! If you have more questions after reading this blog post, please join the BeLivers group. Make sure to answer the questions, so you get approved! Tag me @Irene Enriquez Chan, so I can help you.
You should be super ready by now! Go ahead and start practicing. We’re excited to see your livestreams! Do an offline recording using BeLive by signing up for a FREE trial.
Irene Chan is a writer and live video producer at BeLive. She has been working in the digital marketing industry for a decade and loves the creativity of video production. She has a degree in Broadcast Communication and is always imagining new live videos to produce. She is based in the Philippines and lives with her husband, two kids, and their 11-year-old Chihuahua.
