Stop Faking It: How To Actually Gain Real Confidence Filming Content

Blog Post Written By: Melrose Michaels

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Ever hit record, see your face pop up, and immediately cringe? Same. I used to feel like a robotic mess every time I tried to film.

This blog walks you through exactly how I rewired my on-camera confidence from the ground up. No gimmicks. No “just be yourself” fluff. Just real strategies that helped me go from cringing at the playback to actually owning my presence, awkwardness, and all.

Why Confidence Feels So Elusive (and Why That’s Normal)

Be honest, how many times have you opened your camera app, taken one look at yourself, and instantly thought, “Who is this stiff, awkward robot?” Trust me, you’re not the only one. For years, I would spend hours refilming the same 30-second clip, agonizing over every perceived flaw. I hated how I looked, how I sounded, and sometimes, just how I existed on camera.

But here’s the often misunderstood secret: confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s not a switch you flip. It’s a skill, one you can build, practice, and actually get good at. Whether you’re filming spicy content in nothing but thigh-highs or recording TikToks in your comfiest sweats, these strategies helped me turn my energy from self-conscious to self-assured. And best of all, there’s nothing fake about it.

Embrace the Awkward: Your First Step Towards Real Confidence

You might not believe it yet, but normalizing that “awkward phase” is key to ever feeling relaxed in front of a lens. Every time I’ve returned to filming after a break, despite thirteen years in content creation, I feel totally out of sync with my body, my angles, and my presence. So what do I do? I embrace it.

Start with a simple challenge: film a 30-second “I’m awkward and that’s okay” video. This isn’t about performance; it’s about reacquainting yourself with the camera without the pressure to be perfect. Personally, I like to ease in with photos first, just taking selfies from different angles reminds me how my body moves and catches the light. Once I’m comfortable, I switch to video and let myself feel the discomfort on purpose. Unexpectedly, this exercise helps me break through those first walls of self-doubt and gets me ready for “real” content.

Preparation Breeds Confidence: Script, Plan, and Prosper

Here’s the next big lesson: Clarity is the friend of confidence. I used to wing it in every shoot, hoping inspiration would fill in the blanks. Instead, I’d freeze up or second-guess every move. The shift came when I started outlining every session, what I was wearing, what props I’d use, and what story I wanted to tell. I even pre-script my spicy clips (shout-out to GPTease and my teleprompter app for taking the guesswork out of my shoots!).

Before you film, prep everything: know your content calendar, skim your scripts, pre-select outfits, props, and camera angles, and envision your call-to-action. If you know what you’re creating before you press record, that confidence will naturally follow.

Leverage Your Body Language, Fake It Till You Make It (And Then Some)

Have you noticed how much posture and body language shape someone’s presence? On screen, I keep my shoulders back, hair out of my face, and meet the lens head-on. If I slump, cover up, or mumble, viewers instantly sense my lack of confidence and disengage.

Embody assertiveness. Practice standing tall and projecting your voice (even if you don’t feel like it at first). Need inspiration? Seek out doms on socials, seriously. Their mastery of confident physicality isn’t just hot; it’s instructive.

Start Small with Low-Stakes Content, Momentum is Everything

You don’t have to dive in with a full-length feature or magazine-worthy production. I always recommend beginning with short, low-pressure content. Quick TikToks, random reels, or even “run-through” takes in your sweatpants can be invaluable. Sometimes, I’ll shoot a demo version just to loosen up, and fun fact, those throwaways can turn into fun behind-the-scenes (BTS) content.

Repeated practice with small projects builds up your comfort and presence. When you eventually tackle bigger shoots, you’ll find yourself second-guessing far less.

Data: Your Confidence Feedback Loop

Finally, let your results speak for themselves. Dive into your fan site analytics, clip store data, or social media insights. If a particular clip performs well or garners tons of engagement, ask why. Was it something different about your energy, prep, or script?

Analyze, isolate, and replicate what works. Each win is proof that you’re growing, and nothing boosts confidence like a proven track record. Over time, you’ll build a positive feedback loop: more practice, more results, more confidence, and (yup) more success.

Real confidence isn’t about being perfect.

Every confident creator started somewhere, and often, it was with nerves, stumbles, and self-doubt. The real transformation comes not from “faking it” but from showing up, awkward and all, until the process itself makes you strong. I hope these strategies help you turn your camera on and your confidence way up.

PS: Want to feel more confident before you even hit record? Use GPTease to plan your scripts, outline your content, and map out your shoot. Confidence loves preparation, and GPTease makes it effortless.