In today’s digital world, trust is one of the most valuable currencies in business – and one of the fastest ways to build it is by putting yourself on camera.
Social media is filled with polished designs, slick animations, and carefully curated content. But what if you want to be top of mind for your audience, and grow in awareness and trust, what really cuts through the noise is video – specifically, when you speak directly to the camera
Speaking directly to camera can feel a bit scary, but it helps people connect with the real you. It gives them a sense of your personality, your values, and what you stand for. You don’t need to be a professional presenter or have a studio setup.
In fact, sometimes the more “real” the video feels, the more effective it is. When people see your face and hear your voice, they begin to feel like they know you. That sense of familiarity is what builds trust.
I’ve seen this firsthand. Recently, my digital marketing business expanded into a larger space, doubling the size of our office. During the renovation, I started posting short video updates on LinkedIn and Facebook. These weren’t slick productions – just quick clips showing the progress, the paint going on, and even the messy piles of boxes as we were moving in.
While the online engagement was good, what stood out to me was how many people mentioned it to me in person. Friends, clients, and even acquaintances mentioned the videos and commented on the growth. They were watching. They remembered.
That’s the power of showing up on video. It creates awareness and builds credibility, more than you may realise. And this strategy isn’t limited to business owners. If you lead a charity or are running for local council roles in the upcoming election, video is a game-changer. Talking to the camera helps people get a feel for who you are, as well as what you do.
So here’s a practical challenge:
This week, film a short video and post it on LinkedIn. It doesn’t need to be long. Just share what you’re working on, something you’re excited about, or even a challenge you’re navigating. Be real, be present, and don’t overthink it.
I’ve found that my natural tendency is to want everything to be perfect, but that mindset often gets in the way of taking action. When we’re willing to embrace imperfect action, we make far more progress than if we let perfectionism keep delaying us from putting anything out there.
In an age of digital distance, the most human thing you can do is let people see and hear from you. Show up, speak up, and start building trust – one video at a time.
