A couple of videos ago, I received a lot of feedback on how to be confident in front of the camera. So, I decided to ask a real expert to share some of his confidence building techniques with me… Jay Jay Illusionist from FreeMagicLive!
Inside this short interview, I get Jay Jay to reveal three of his biggest tips for gaining more confidence in front of the camera.
I know you might not want to share it, but please leave your comment below about your biggest frustration with being confident in front of the camera. That will help us learn from you and create more materials to help you overcome this issue…
Talk soon!
Gideon Shalwick
Transcript Of Today’s Video
Click Here To Read The Transcript
Gideon: Hi! Welcome to my next video. Today as you can see, I’ve got a very special guest with me. If you’ve been following my stuff, you’ll know JayJay. Say “hi”, JayJay…
JayJay: Hey, what’s going on?
Gideon: So JayJay is someone that I’ve been working with in the past. We worked together on the FreeMagicLive project. We did a pretty good job on that. Is that right, JayJay?
JayJay: Yeah, right!
Gideon: How many views have we got on that channel right now?
JayJay: Ah… close to ten million.
Gideon: Close to ten million views… So at the moment, JayJay is running that all by himself. I’ve removed my involvement a little bit from that. I still help JayJay out there with a few things…
JayJay: Yeah.
Gideon: But he’s really taking it to the next level.
JayJay: It was your baby also.
Gideon: (Laughs) My baby… that’s where I tried out all my YouTube strategies.
JayJay: Yeah.
Gideon: There’s one thing that JayJay is particularly good at. And I wanted him to give you that bit of information. A couple of weeks ago, I had a video that talked about “How To Overcome The Fear Of Being In Front Of The Camera“. I’ve got a few tips but really the master is this guy here. So I want JayJay to give you one really good tip for how you can become really nice and confident in front of the camera… JayJay…
JayJay: Take it away… Thank you, Gideon. I love your stuff.
Gideon: Thank you.
JayJay: One of the biggest tips I believe that you will learn from getting comfortable in front of the camera is understanding you. What I mean by that is knowing your weaknesses, knowing what you’re good at, knowing what you’re not good at; and understanding that you’re not perfect; and understanding that really just owning who you are in front of the camera… You should have understood what I mean by that, don’t you?
Gideon: I think so. You’re saying you’re getting to the core of who you are, realizing that you’re not perfect; and that’s cool. There’s actually a lot of other people out there who are also not perfect, and they’re still confident.
JayJay: Yeah. We’re not meant to be news reporters. I think that’s what a lot of people think – you have to have every word clear… Just like before, I sort of mixed up a couple of my words, but I’m not really worried about it. I’m just talking with passion because I know what I’m saying. I know that I might not speak the clearest. I know that I might not be the smoothest sounding talker on my video. But I know what I’m talking about, and I know who I am and what my weaknesses are. I know how I can sort of convey that. And it gives me more confidence of who I am and something really important is knowing what you’re talking about; it’ll help you in front of the video.
Gideon: Okay, so two things – knowing yourself and knowing the stuff you’re talking about.
JayJay: Yeah.
Gideon: That takes time, right?
JayJay: Yeah, yeah.
Gideon: Not something that comes overnight?
JayJay: And probably I’ll throw in a little strategy tip?
Gideon: Yeah, definitely!
JayJay: A really good strategy tip that I’ve helped a lot of people out with – myself and Gideon will agree with this – is that people make the camera, they make this like this big shiny object… and you freak out. You think that if you stumble with some words, something is going to happen. Something that really got me comfortable in front of the camera, you know the big people say, how do you become good at something?… You practice. So , you know what? Do a video everyday! You can record it. Talk about something you know… talk about a story of your childhood. You want to get comfortable talking in front of the camera because when you start looking at the camera like it’s just another person, like you’re telling someone a story like I’m telling you now, you’ll forget that it’s a camera. I don’t know if that sort of makes sense.
Gideon: It does… Two things – it’s really just getting used to speaking in front of the camera. Just acting like it’s you talking to a friend… The other thing that I’ve found that works really well, and I notice you do really well, we look into the camera like we’re looking now, we’re really acting like we’re talking to you listening to this right now.
JayJay: Yeah.
Gideon: So, we’re acting like we’re talking to the real person. We’re imagining you’re sitting on the other side of the lens. And another tip to make that even better that I got from one of my followers – actually, I can’t remember his name – is to act like you’re in love with the person on the other side.
JayJay: Yes, that’s a really big strategy tip. And I think if you could do that once a day or even better, once in the morning and once in the evening. It will start to change your perception of it and realize it’s really not a hard thing. You’re just telling a story to someone. But I think people get so worried about every word has to be so clear. As I said, we’re not news reporters. News reporters tried numerous amounts of years to get every word so clear. But I think if you know what you’re talking about and if you’re passionate then it shouldn’t be an issue.
Gideon: That’s right. So, know yourself; know your content and topic really well; practice really good.
JayJay: Yeah. Like what they say, if no one is perfect, why practice?… Does that make sense?
Gideon: Not sure.
JayJay: Oh sorry (laughs)… If practice makes perfect; but nobody’s perfect, why practice?
Gideon: Yeah, I’ll think about that. I have to watch this video again. (Laughs)
JayJay: Practice… Practice will not… Anyway…
Gideon: I got it…
Hey, if you want to check out JayJay and see how he performs in the streets with his magic and how his confidence just shines through and to learn a few performance tips from JayJay, check out his channel. We’ll put the link right there…
Click on it and go to JayJay’s YouTube channel and you can watch some of the videos that he is doing right now. Very cool, very exciting! If you’re interested in magic, subscribe. Check it out.
But if nothing else, see how JayJay performs right in front of the camera and how he’s just himself. He’s just natural and hopefully, confident, I must say.
JayJay: Thank you very much…. Let’s recap. What were they again?
Gideon: Knowledge of yourself.
JayJay: Believing in yourself and realizing that you’re not a news reporter; you’re not supposed to be perfect; you’re allowed to make mistake.
Gideon: Knowledge of your topic area.
JayJay: Know what you’re talking about.
Gideon: And practice. So you can build up that skill.
JayJay: That’s it.
Gideon: Too easy… Actually, while we’re on this video, we’d love to hear from you. We want to know what is your main frustration and pain and issue with being in front of the camera. What is it that prevents you getting in front of the camera and being confident?… Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you so that we can help you get better. Perhaps we can create some more content that will help you overcome that fear of being in front of the camera. So, please leave a comment… Thanks for watching!
JayJay: Ciao!
[..YouTube..] Great advice gentlemen! Big RESPECT to the both of you…Love what you do.
Detroit and Brookyln…Love the T-shirts too….
Great advice gentlemen! Big RESPECT to the both of you…Love what you do.
Detroit and Brookyln…Love the T-shirts too….
[..YouTube..] @ericsurf6 Ah Eric! Great to hear from you again! Your comment means a alot! Thanks!
Gideon
@ericsurf6 Ah Eric! Great to hear from you again! Your comment means a
alot! Thanks! Gideon
[..YouTube..] Gideon again awesome videos as always!
I gotta question for you: Do you mind me asking you where I can find cool sounds effects to download and use on my videos?
Thanks for taking my question!
PS. Great tips you both! Thanks for sharing!
[..YouTube..] Well any one wearing a t-shirt from Detroit got to know what he is talking about ( My old home town) Yes I understand but I still get this fear that is in the form of butterflies. You know when the stomach is turning in all directions. But like always love your stuff.
and that lick to Jay Jay’s site didn’t work :{ Have a good one
Chow
Reg B. (Detroits Bad Boy)
Well any one wearing a t-shirt from Detroit got to know what he is talking
about ( My old home town) Yes I understand but I still get this fear that
is in the form of butterflies. You know when the stomach is turning in all
directions. But like always love your stuff. and that lick to Jay Jay’s
site didn’t work :{ Have a good one Chow Reg B. (Detroits Bad Boy)
[..YouTube..] Thanks for great video
Thanks for great video
Hey Gideo. Loved the video. I saw you BOTH were struggling with “Looking at the speaker – you looked a little funny – the technique we learned from Mike at TG.
Hey Gideo. Loved the video. I saw you BOTH were struggling with “Looking at
the speaker – you looked a little funny – the technique we learned from
Mike at TG.
[..YouTube..] JJ and Gideon – nice to see you guys working together!
[..YouTube..] JJ and Gideon – nice to see you guys working together!
Loving the sign off guys!
[..YouTube..] apple tv giveaway try your luck , thanks
apple tv giveaway try your luck , thanks
[..YouTube..] what i hate about being infront of the camera is that i feel my voice sounds funny.
what i hate about being infront of the camera is that i feel my voice
sounds funny.
[..YouTube..] Great clip and thanks for the tips. My biggest fear is that in the back of my mind, I am thinking of all the pros and people who know so much more about the subject I am speaking about. Kinda silly I know, but just throwing it out there
Yesssss This is a massive one for me too.
[..YouTube..] Is Gideon Magical G?
[..YouTube..] @VetoHero Yes
[..YouTube..] Thank you, Gideon. Well done.
[..YouTube..] Thank you, guys. Very useful. Best to you, Robin
Thank you, guys. Very useful. Best to you, Robin
[..YouTube..] Got a link for Jay Jay’s channel? Many thanks, Robin
Got a link for Jay Jay’s channel? Many thanks, Robin
[..YouTube..] Very good video as usual, but now I am working on the fear of talking first
Very good video as usual, but now I am working on the fear of talking first

[..YouTube..] Cheers guys, really helpful stuff … I’ve been practising like mad but the thing I stumble on most is that I repeat myself quite a lot
Cheers guys, really helpful stuff … I’ve been practising like mad but the
thing I stumble on most is that I repeat myself quite a lot
I wasent sure if the FB Comments was working right. I just wanted to say Thank you Gideon. Your videos have been very helpful in helping me overcome my shyness, not just in videos, but in life.
i do ok in front of the camera when im by myself…i dont do so well when others are around or in public….
Day after day I learn more and more…. What I want to say: Thanks a lot, Gideon
your videos are always helpful for me and all world ( I think that 😉 )
Wesam Helmy
Good stuff as always. My biggest fear is not knowing if my presentation is going to excite/inspire people or put them to sleep. Sort of the idea of confidence (or lack thereof) in my knowledge level of the topic I guess. I think when the right venue presents itself, I will overcome my reluctance and go for it.
Great tips, certainly the basics…..and then practice, practice, practice if I want to be really good at it. I have to get familiar with camera technichs and lightning. From then on it´ll be easier, I supposse. Thank you again
Hi Gideon
Thats for your great tips I always get nervous when i am filming i always have to do loads of retakes.
I have problems with my windows movie maker when i try to edit and save it
it says disk is full but its not can I use camtasia the same as windows movie maker
I also would love to learn how you put all them special effects on your video
Look forward to hearing from you
Great advice, as always. I set up my website with advice from you and Yaro, now I’m honing my video skills with your help. And what Jay Jay says about letting your own personality come through is so true, although I’d say it took about 30 vids for me to lose my wariness of having a lens pointing in my direction. Getting it right usually involves getting it wrong first.
Thanks for the tips Gideon. Getting in front of the camera really needs getting used to it. I also dealt with such fear before, but I got some helps from some tools that i found on the net. Maybe some of you guys out here can find these useful: http://ba446uq7y7scdw4plkum9ocsd8.hop.clickbank.net/
and if anyone out here is thinking about automating their videos, this tool can assist you further. These tools are sure winners in the world of home-based and DIY video productions.
@GideonShalwick can you tell us what software you used to edit this video?
I don’t actually know what my fear is, but I just start to get nervous and keep on messing up what I’m trying to say. If you could help, that would be great.
great tips and cool t shirts .
Hi Gideon,
I’m looking for a good microphone to produce a slide show presentation.
Any recommendations?…
Thanks
Very cool video I am going to start soon I am reading up on my products.
Hey great tips guys! More confidence is always a good thing. I particularly like the idea of imagining that you’re in love with the people behind the camera. Share the love! And practise, practise, practise… Cheers, Graham
Hey guys thanks for tips, it’s a relief to know that others out there share the same frustrations. I really like how Jay Jay pointed out that we’re not “newscasters” and I think that’s one of my biggest problems in front of the camera. I’m always trying to perfect everything (which is a huge problem that I find annoying about myself) and the same goes for when I’m in front of the camera. I’m able to speak naturally when I’m off camera but as soon as I know that camera is recording I freak out inside and stumble on my words. I seem to let my nerves get the best of me when I’m talking to a hunk of glass and plastic (the camera).
It’s ridicules, I know, but I’m slowly working on this.
Hmmm, I wonder if talking to other Inanimate objects would have this same effect on me…like maybe the toaster?
So over time I’ve began to adjust the way I deliver my content and even so much as the vocabulary I use. As you said Jay Jay, we are not newscasters. We don’t speak perfect grammar to our friends and we tend to mix in a little more conversation so we can build that relationship. My progress is a slow one but I think what’s helped me the most is PRACTICE and studying other peoples videos that I want to emulate.
Thanks for making this video Gideon, I think this topic is good for us all to openly explore and share our imperfections…it helps us look more human.
[..YouTube..] Talking alone makes me very awkward in front of camera. I just should keep talking, thinking I am talking to real person, but without exchaning the response with someone, it’s still hard to make it natural while talking alone. So I just forget all the things I should talk about in front of camera..
Talking alone makes me very awkward in front of camera. I just should keep talking, thinking I am talking to real person, but without exchaning the response with someone, it’s still hard to make it natural while talking alone. So I just forget all the things I should talk about in front of camera..
Hi Guys,
Thank you for your Confidence Building Techniques.
I am not afraid of the camera, and I agree that practise makes perfect. However, the reason I find it difficult to be captured on video is that I do not sound like a native English, American, South African, or from another English speaking country for that matter. One can tell English is not my first language and I dislike hearing my own voice more than anything else on a video or audio. Although I have been told that my accent is charming and I sound lovely, I need to convince myself before speaking in front of a camera ever will become possible.
Perhaps just getting used to my own voice is what I should spend more time on?
Human beings are complex creatures. I am a prime example.
Take care,
Camelia K.
Hey Camelia,
I think we all hate the sound of our own voice because we’re not used to hearing it the way others do. It’s not as off-putting to others as we think; and ironically we’ve often unaware of patterns of speech that _are_ actually off-putting. Try recording yourself in conversation and listening to what you actually say and your verbal mannerisms. Over time, you’ll get used to the sound of your own voice too.
Cheers,
Graham
You should have just said “practice makes perfect.” lol.
how do you create the cool intro?
how do you create the cool intro?
Gideon, you have the sexiest voice I have ever heard. Talk to me
Can you make a video on how to get started on youtube and build an audience when you first start out.
-Ricky
Hey Ricky – sure thing! If you go to my site at rapidvideoblogging dooot cooom, and sign up for my free report, you’ll get access to a mini video course that shows you my method for building your own audience.
Gideon Shalwick
Thanks alot. I will defiantly do that.
-Ricky
Awesome vid JJ and G!
Marketing folks, check out my channel to see how I make money on youtube!
-Andrew C
advice i have is to have someone there and talk to them
Struggling to get my content into a video
Hate the way I look on the video!!
You Two are a dashing Duo together and make a nice team. Thanks for the inspiring video on a topic that is central to the issue on the minds of everyone who is new to this. What’s the challenge? Creating a brand that will grow and be a platform for my growth.
I have bad lighting and a camera built into my computer. The quality is crappy. I also do not have a decent background. I am looking for a better camera, a green screen, a mike, and lighting. Hopefully that will help.
Rob
Awesome! Makes me think of these really aspiring life changing words:
Cool video, thanks for the tips. How do you get the plain white background in the video? Is it edited in on Vegas Movie Studio HD using green screen first?
much easier than green screen – it’s just a white screen. See my video here: gideonshalwickDOTCOM/how-to-make-your-videos-look-more-professional/
Hey Gideon hows it going? Awesome videos you guys are role models for video marketing.Your videos are awesome on how you shoot, edit, close up, music in back etc .I started this pool construction company my you tube channel is youtube(dot)com/poolsnowtx.
I was wondering could you recommend a class or do you have class that teaches how to shoot, angles, music, edit, etc. You know something for good video marketing techniques. Any help i would really appreciate it. All the best Blake.
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This was very helpful! Thank you. My one thing I know I will have to work on is I talk very fast -which won’t be good for video – so if you ever have any pointers on speed of talk or anything related to this, I would welcome to know (even if it’s just a video with a tip or two) on how to speek in front of the camera but still have your message /words remembered. My concern is if I slow down my speech, my natural enthusiasm and energy and passion won’t come through like it does when I talk.
For me it’s not so much stuttering as it is my face. If you mess up you can edit and make it clever, that’s not a problem. BUT it’s like for example, people compare themselves to people on TV. Then you feel like you don’t have THAT face, but you said it in your other video the person we see in the mirror is not really what we look like. That was not comforting in the least LOL
Australian | South African
Yes?
Two guys standing somewhere in Australia (I believe), both wearing shirts with American places on them. Funny 😀
Why is it that when I click the link to go to jay jay’s channel I get this:
“This account has been suspended due to multiple or severe violations of YouTube’s policy against spam, scams and commercially deceptive content.”
Hey Kyle – this is something that has just happened recently – Jay Jay could probably tell you more about it though – I understand they are looking into it…
Ah. I hope it get’s back up soon! I was really looking forward to some street magic! Also off topic, I’ve got my blog up and running, but I still can’t find anything to blog/vlog about, any suggestions?
I’ve been learning and noticing my strengths and weaknesses when recording, as well as what I don’t like about other things. My fear when recording is me not getting my words right, not sounding like I know what i’m talking about and just everything not flowing right like what you would see on tv. Basically I’m not relaxed when in front of the camera yet, because I Imagine that someone is looking at me and I’ve always had a fear of being seen by others due to my past of being rejected and hurt.
@OctaviasArtJournal And yet you will share your personal feelings online like this… think about it. It’s like they say “on the internet, no one knows you’re a dog”.
Check my channel if you wanna get real youtube views FOR FREE
Hey guys! Great video’s and great advice. Congrats with your View numbers–Wow.
I’ve got some things going on you tube but they need some help. I work alone with a flip camera, my windows xp and a small budget. My biggest fear these days is “rejection”.
In my younger years, you skuffed it off and you moved on to the next client. So, what are
your words of wisdom?
TL
@GideonShalwick
The main problem for me is that I have a stutter which I am trying to overcome. Now I have been trying to get into doing vlogs to update my followers. But, I am seeing that I am having another bad phase in my speaking. I am trying to do a few reviews of products that I am into but not even put them online just record to build confidence.
The link still appears to be down I hope he can get his account back soon.
very helpful
i used to be afraid in front a camera but now i ‘m not
THANKS GUYS…
This account has been suspended due to multiple or severe violations of YouTube’s policy against spam, gaming, misleading content, or other Terms of Service violations.
this is what I get for Jay Jay’s channel
yeah that was a bit unfortunate – he has a new channel now at freemagiclivevideos where you can view most of his videos.
He filmed himself slapping around prostitutes.
That kind of thing is frowned upon by Youtube.
3:41-4:17 lol.. so this would explain why I have a slight crush on Gideon (just kidding) I love all his great advice.. he’s such a solid educator in his field. I appreciate his videos very much!
Nicely made.
Great Video, thanks for the tips. I have been involved now in doing my own Sports Show live on a TV Channel, i was always on TV but with presenters, but now i have to be the presenter because its my own show.
First time i got so nervous because i never been in this situation, i tried to practice but still i got so nervous.
I have weekly shows, could you help me with more tips please?
haha! thanks! i loved this video! great advice i’ll definitely try it out
sexy t shirts ;–)
thank u very much sir
your videos r really very good and they r really helping me
tons of thanks
my number #1 fear would have to be my acne scars… hmm thats a good one.
I actually have quite a few acne scars. Two things… #1 the camera can be quite forgiving. #2 It makes you unique.
Gideon…how can anyone not love you? You’re beautiful. What a fabulous
service you do for others!