First of all, is a Personal Business Story different than a Business Story?
Often, yes. If you are a sole entrepreneur or have a business mostly based on your journey and your gifts to the world, then it is your Personal Business Story.
If you are part of a large enterprise that you started, your personal story quickly takes a back seat to the vision and why of the company. You may have started it, but the company now has a life of its own.
Video Like It Was 2019!
In 2019 Bonnie and I were traveling in the Story Van shooting interviews and recording our own videos.
We used about $10,000 worth of gear, including a large Sony camera on a tripod, boom microphone, lighting kit, a green-screen, and at least one other camera to get different angles and to make sure we had a good shot.
Then we would download the video from the cameras and edit together in Final Cut Pro.
Then COVID-19 hit.
The world changed.
The Zoom Way
Everything changed with the lockdown and travel restrictions.
Persona meetings became Zoom meetings. Live events became streaming events.
Facebook Live began to make sense.
For many people and businesses, there is not going back, even when the global pandemic is over.
It has never been easier to capture you business story or that of others with Zoom.
TellYouStory.Productions has lots of examples of doing Zoom interviews, then editing a little.
I have paid gigs where I capture Facebook Live presentations such as the Unity of Nashville Service with Reverend John McLean, edit, then post on YouTube and unityofnashville.org.
Using Zoom to Record Your Personal Business Story
Now when Bonnie and I want to record our own stories or video posts, we simple use Zoom to record.
You can do it too.
Starting With What You Have
If you are reading this, you probably have a computer with a built-in camera, microphone, and a connection.
Often that is good enough.
Simple Tips:
- Use a nice background. If you have a nice office, or living space, frame that nicely in the background.
- Have good lighting in front of you or to the side. It is amazing how many people who should know better have poor lighting or bright lights behind them. Turn on all of the lights in the room, take advantage of light from windows and skylights, and move lamps if needed.
- Frame yourself like a news anchor person on TV.
- Wear something nice up top. Pants optional as long as you don’t stand up!
Inexpensive Additions
- A headset or table microphone. We use an iRig HD2 microphone that sits on a small tripod on the desk. I like this better than headsets because the shot looks more natural.
- Additional lighting. Many people buy ring lights. I prefer an inexpensive softbox that has difussed light that I aim to light me and bounce of the ceiling to give a natural light.
- Green screen. Many options open up when you can use a virtual background. Some of the newer computers have enough processing power to use a virtual background without a green screen. Chances are you will need a green screen to make the masking look natural. Although we have two professional green screens, we made one out of foam board from Michale’s to use in the RV. We spray-painted it green and cut to fit behind the dining-table bench. Works like a charm!
Roll Camera!
Assuming you have at least written an outline of your Person Business Story, simple press the Record button and start telling your story to the one person in your mind that is behind the camera lens.
Try to look at the camera lens instead of yourself on the screen.
Stop and start as many times as needed.
Try different approaches.
Edit up the one you like best.
We use Final Cut Pro. You can do simple edits with QuickTime, iMovie, or other video editor you may have on your computer. There are many online and installable options.
We can also edit your videos as a service.
Consider using more than one version at different times.
Some Presentation Tips
Our favourite vocal coach is Danielle Benzon of TheInspiredSpeaker.com.
Here are some quick tips from Danielle:
- Avoid reading your story. Outline the main ideas and practice until it is natural to simply speak it to your audience.
- Vigorous exercise just before speaking can help ease nerves and energize your presentation.
- Emotion trumps logic. Emphasize the emotional part of your story. How did you feel at the time? What was your emotional transformation?
- Avoid rambling. People like me tend to take people on too many sidetrips. Simplify the story to tell your big WHY.
- Allow space. We will fill our talks with vocal tics such as ‘um’, ‘so’, ‘like’, and ‘ah’ because we feel like we need to fill the space with words. You don’t. The best speakers will allow space for the audience to ponder what you just said.
- Pause to think about your next sentence rather than blurt out something. You will look wise and thoughtful, even if you just lost your train of thought!
- Practice Practice Practice.
- Just Do It! Simply be your Authentic Self, as that is all you really need to communicate your story. People simply want to get to know you.
Check out Danielle’s Authentic Speaker Membership Portal.
You will have a lot of fun becoming a better speaker!
Leveraging Your Personal Business Story
Here are some places where you can post your Personal Business Story:
- Your website. Perhaps as an intro for your visitors.
- Social media, such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Virtual presentations.
Master marketers such as Dave Dee, Kim Walsh Phillips, Amy Porterfield, Jeff Walker, and Russell Brunson often tell a personal business story as part of their introduction on webinars and sales presentations.
You can too.
Practice and hone your Personal Business Story so it is simply part of who you present to the people you want to serve.
Want Help? Contact Us
gregdixon@sharedvisions.com
604-762-6410
