6 Reasons Why Small Business Owners Don't Record Videos

Videos are taking off in a big way in social media land. YouTube has dominated this area for years, and it is where people go for education and entertainment. The rise of TikTok has changed the game on social media, with other platforms scrabbling to keep up.

Recent research by Hubspot highlights the importance of videos for businesses and customers alike. It is a great way to connect and build a relationship with your audience. However, for many solo business owners, the idea of recording videos is not very appealing and remains firmly at the bottom of the to-do list.

Here are 6 reasons why business owners don't record videos and some practical solutions to get past these issues.

1. Time

There are so many things that compete for our time in business land. I often hear that people think they need ages to record videos, and one of the main reasons for this is a search for perfection.

They spend hours searching for the perfect take and making it look beautiful with complicated edits.

And all of that is a massive waste of time. Videos don't have to take a long time.

Start by setting aside a dedicated amount of time to record your videos, and be strict with that time limit. I usually put one hour a week into my schedule to record videos and another hour for editing.

This is a great way to stop taking endless takes.

And, you can go further. Set aside some time to record each video. For example, if I am going to record a 2 minute video, I set aside 5 minutes, and then I press record. The secret here is to pretend that you are speaking to a live audience.

However, if you get tongue tied, stop, take a few breaths and continue. You can edit out the bits you don't want later.

2. Don't Like My Voice/Accent

This is a very common reason given by many people for not recording videos.

I used to hate how I sounded on camera and on a microphone, but one day I focused, really focused, on the people I was speaking to, and I could see they were paying attention to every word I said. Then I started podcasting, and I got compliments on my voice, which blew my mind.

And this is the thing; it is very common for humans not to like the sound of their voice when they hear it played back. This phenomenon is called voice confrontation, and it occurs when we hear our voice on a video or audio recording. When we hear the playback, it is normal to say, 'do I really sound like that?'

This is because we hear our voices every day when we have conversations, and we build up a perception of how we sound. However, when we hear a playback of our voice, our ears process the information differently. That, combined with our perception of how we sound, leads to the cringes.

But, for some people, it can go further. They may believe that their accent is too strong or that people won't like it. In all cases, I invite you to focus more on your message and realise that your voice and accent are a big part of who you are. Your voice has the power to transmit your knowledge and message to the world, and this is a truly awesome thing.

3. Don't Like How I Look

We are our own worst critics! We pick up on the minor faults and blemishes in our appearances. Spot the tiniest grey hairs and imperfections that not even the Hubble Space Telescope could spot.

Here's the thing: no one else cares about all those things that we are judging ourselves on. People who scroll through social media want to see solutions and valuable content that stops them from scrolling.

Here is an invitation: Take a look in the mirror, smile, and say thank you! Then start recording! Remember, YOUR MESSAGE is what your audience cares about the most.

4. Technology

There is a common misconception that you need fancy technology and editing software to record videos for social media. If you plan to be a videographer or launch a business on YouTube, investing in the right kit will make sense. However, for the rest of us, you can get started with a very simple setup.

If you have a smartphone, then you can record and edit videos. Check out this post on how to get started with videos, or click the link for "Record Awesome Videos" in the services section for a free guide.

5. Don't Know What To Say

Knowing what to say in your content can be a huge stumbling block to start with, especially if the mind monkeys start chatting or you are a chronic overthinker. But, I guarantee that you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you could use to create content.

To get started, I'll quote CS Lewis and say,

Start by thinking about your expertise, knowledge, and experience. How have you helped people in the past? What problems did they have? What are common questions people have? What success stories have you had (this can be personal or professional)?

Now, take one of those ideas and create a video. Use the Top, Middle, and Bottom structure for your idea…

Now, press the play button and get to work.

6. Fear of Judgement

Social media can be a very challenging and overwhelming place. Take LinkedIn, for example. When you first log on, you see loads of people from your industry with loads of followers and content in the bag. You start thinking that no one will be interested in what you have to say or that your knowledge is too basic. You might start thinking you might get called out for your lack of knowledge or expertise, so you make the decision not to post.

And, if this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

A fear of judgement is one of the biggest blocks when it comes to creating videos and content on social media.

Instead of focusing on the external world, focus on YOU and all the awesome ways you can help people.

From there, you can create videos that showcase your knowledge and expertise. Remember that what is simple for you can be life-changing for someone else. Those simple hacks and tips can save someone in your audience time, stress and money, and that is an awesome thing.

Ready to chase the fears away and record that first video?

If you want to get past the fear and record your first video, join me for the Create Your First Video Workshop on May 12th. In this immersive workshop, you will learn how to craft and deliver your first video for social media.

Tickets are £30

Book your space here.