/Content Marketing
Question
I physically cannot make myself hit record - anyone else deal with camera anxiety?
Posted by •12/7/2025
This is embarrassing to admit but I've been "about to start" making content for 4 months.
Every time I set up to record, I freeze. I hate how I look on camera. I hate how my voice sounds. I watch other people make it look effortless and I can't even get through one take without cringing at myself.
I've tried:
- Writing scripts (makes me sound robotic)
- Just talking naturally (I ramble and say "um" constantly)
- Recording with nobody around (still feels like everyone is watching)
I know faceless content is an option but I'm in a niche where personal connection would really help (I sell skincare stuff).
How did you get over this? Or is content creation just not for everyone and I should accept I'm not built for it?
Every time I set up to record, I freeze. I hate how I look on camera. I hate how my voice sounds. I watch other people make it look effortless and I can't even get through one take without cringing at myself.
I've tried:
- Writing scripts (makes me sound robotic)
- Just talking naturally (I ramble and say "um" constantly)
- Recording with nobody around (still feels like everyone is watching)
I know faceless content is an option but I'm in a niche where personal connection would really help (I sell skincare stuff).
How did you get over this? Or is content creation just not for everyone and I should accept I'm not built for it?
4 Replies
•12/8/2025
Ok the tough love stings but you're right. I've been so focused on making it "perfect" that I've made literally nothing.
I think I'll start with the close-up skincare application approach - that feels way less scary than full talking head. Then work up to voiceovers. Then maybe eventually actual face-to-camera.
Baby steps but at least it's steps.
Also "record for the trash" is a mindset shift I needed. Taking the stakes out of it helps.
I think I'll start with the close-up skincare application approach - that feels way less scary than full talking head. Then work up to voiceovers. Then maybe eventually actual face-to-camera.
Baby steps but at least it's steps.
Also "record for the trash" is a mindset shift I needed. Taking the stakes out of it helps.
•12/8/2025
Baby steps absolutely count. The goal isn't to become a confident content creator overnight - it's to be slightly less terrified than yesterday.
Check back in a month and let us know how it went. Genuinely rooting for you.
And remember: 4 months from now you can either have 100+ videos and way less anxiety, or 0 videos and the same anxiety. The discomfort passes whether you post or not. Might as well have something to show for it.
Check back in a month and let us know how it went. Genuinely rooting for you.
And remember: 4 months from now you can either have 100+ videos and way less anxiety, or 0 videos and the same anxiety. The discomfort passes whether you post or not. Might as well have something to show for it.
•12/8/2025
Gonna give you some tough love because I wish someone had given it to me:
You've spent 4 months NOT recording. In that time, someone who started when you "almost started" could have:
- Made 120 videos
- Gotten over the awkward phase
- Possibly built an actual audience
Every day you don't post is a day you're not improving.
The cringe never fully goes away. I still don't love watching my own videos. I still think I look/sound weird. But I post anyway because that discomfort is the price of building something.
Here's your assignment: Tonight, record ONE video. It can be 15 seconds. Post it. Don't watch it back first. Don't think about it. Just post it and go to sleep.
It will probably get 200 views from strangers who will forget you exist in 3 seconds. That's it. Nothing bad will happen.
The only way out is through.
You've spent 4 months NOT recording. In that time, someone who started when you "almost started" could have:
- Made 120 videos
- Gotten over the awkward phase
- Possibly built an actual audience
Every day you don't post is a day you're not improving.
The cringe never fully goes away. I still don't love watching my own videos. I still think I look/sound weird. But I post anyway because that discomfort is the price of building something.
Here's your assignment: Tonight, record ONE video. It can be 15 seconds. Post it. Don't watch it back first. Don't think about it. Just post it and go to sleep.
It will probably get 200 views from strangers who will forget you exist in 3 seconds. That's it. Nothing bad will happen.
The only way out is through.
•12/7/2025
For skincare specifically, here's a middle ground:
Do close-up hand/face content without showing your full face talking.
- Show applying products (just your hands and skin)
- Show before/after close-ups of skin texture
- POV of your skincare routine from your perspective
- Voiceover explaining while showing application
This is still personal (your actual skin, your voice) but removes the "talking head" pressure that creates the most anxiety.
Once you get comfortable with voiceovers, you can gradually show more face. Maybe start with just showing from nose down. Then half face. Eventually full face when it feels natural.
You don't have to go from zero to full influencer mode. There are steps in between.
Do close-up hand/face content without showing your full face talking.
- Show applying products (just your hands and skin)
- Show before/after close-ups of skin texture
- POV of your skincare routine from your perspective
- Voiceover explaining while showing application
This is still personal (your actual skin, your voice) but removes the "talking head" pressure that creates the most anxiety.
Once you get comfortable with voiceovers, you can gradually show more face. Maybe start with just showing from nose down. Then half face. Eventually full face when it feels natural.
You don't have to go from zero to full influencer mode. There are steps in between.
•12/7/2025
I was exactly like this. First 20+ takes of my first video I deleted. Couldn't even watch them back.
What finally helped:
1. **Record for the trash.** Literally tell yourself "I'm making a video I will delete." Takes all the pressure off. Do this 10 times. By video 10 you might have one worth keeping.
2. **Your voice sounds weird to you because you're used to hearing it from inside your head.** Everyone thinks their voice sounds wrong on recording. Nobody else notices or cares.
3. **Watch your first 10 videos with the sound off.** You'll realize you look way more normal than you think. The voice is usually what bothers people most.
4. **Record with your phone propped up like you're FaceTiming a friend.** Not on a tripod, not with ring lights. Just... talking to your phone like it's a person.
5. **The people who will judge you harshly don't matter.** Your future customers just want to see a real person, not a polished influencer.
Also: your first 50 videos will suck. Everyone's do. The people who "make it look effortless" have 500 videos of practice behind them.
What finally helped:
1. **Record for the trash.** Literally tell yourself "I'm making a video I will delete." Takes all the pressure off. Do this 10 times. By video 10 you might have one worth keeping.
2. **Your voice sounds weird to you because you're used to hearing it from inside your head.** Everyone thinks their voice sounds wrong on recording. Nobody else notices or cares.
3. **Watch your first 10 videos with the sound off.** You'll realize you look way more normal than you think. The voice is usually what bothers people most.
4. **Record with your phone propped up like you're FaceTiming a friend.** Not on a tripod, not with ring lights. Just... talking to your phone like it's a person.
5. **The people who will judge you harshly don't matter.** Your future customers just want to see a real person, not a polished influencer.
Also: your first 50 videos will suck. Everyone's do. The people who "make it look effortless" have 500 videos of practice behind them.