Why So Many Brilliant Women
Avoid Doing Videos?
Online Videos! They are everywhere. From short 15 second promotional grabs to longer pieces, videos are today’s online currency used to connect and promote. It seems that we can’t open a social media page, be part of an online community or aim to share information about our business without the inevitability of creating or being part of a video.
But for many of us, video isn’t a comfortable medium. Instead of leaning into the camera, it can feel like a cue to shut down and head in the opposite direction — away from the lens altogether.
This hesitation is particularly common among women in business, who often feel a heightened sense of scrutiny and pressure when showing up on screen. So we find ourselves caught in that in-between space: wanting connection but feeling vulnerable in the visibility that connection now seems to require. Should we create a script, should we perform or ad a gimmick and appear quirky to get people’s attention?
One of the big barriers is that video swings open the door to self-doubt. Suddenly, instead of focusing on what we want to say, we’re caught up in questions about what to wear, whether the lighting is right, and which glasses — if any — we should put on.
The internal dialogue gets loud.
Do I look professional enough?
Do I look tired?
Will people take me seriously?
Self-judgement creeps in first. Then comes the imagined judgement of others. And before we know it, those voices drown out the very reason we turned the camera on in the first place — to share something meaningful, to contribute, to connect.
For me, in conversations with many women in business, there seems to be a real tension between the visual nature of video — the act of being seen — and the way it can trigger us to question our sense of self. The camera doesn’t just capture our message; it can feel like it magnifies every perceived flaw, every insecurity , every doubt. We freeze and forget our words and then everything magnifies.
And yet, at the same time, there is a deep desire — and often a genuine need — to connect. To be visible and seen. To build relationship. To share ideas and lead with authenticity.
I experienced many of these uncertainties and problems myself when trying to create my own videos.
“The last time I tried recording videos I had a goal of recording 3 x 3-5min videos in one day. The problem was that they took me the best part of the day to do and by the end of it, I was exhausted.
I tried speaking naturally and unscripted but this led me to doing what felt like a million takes. Then I tried writing the script and reading from a teleprompter, and it may have sounded better but I looked and sounded like a robot. I rarely looked away from the camera, nor was I animated like I normally am. I realised that the videos had no soul.
Then I realised something very different happened when I was on a podcast, or a panel discussion. Regardless of how comfortable I was with the topic I found that I was more than happy and comfortable having a conversation. Why? I think it was having other women around me in a conversation that made the difference.
Although I’m an introvert deep down, I value people, I love the energy and the ideas of other people and that makes video so much easier.”
If this sounds like something you have felt too, You Are Not Alone.
The alternative: Sharing and Recording Video Conversations Together
The key to making an authentic video is creating a Relational Presence while making it. It’s not that women aren’t shining on camera, it’s just that speaking to a camera is a format that we’re not used to and so we freeze. We often stumble or forget our words.
But we’re a lot more comfortable having a conversation with another person and answering questions. It feels more natural, more supported and more organic. That’s where the real you shines through and the gold comes to light.
We begin to see the very real energy and excitement you have for your idea and product. Your eyes light up when another person asks “why is this important to you” rather than trying to persuasively explain the interest on your own. Through question, we become more authentic, more open and more comfortable sharing the story which is uniquely your own. It’s also the place where we can really demonstrate how much we know and why this matters.
In a natural conversation, we are more spontaneous. When chatting face-to-face with someone we trust, we focus on the other person, not ourselves. Because of that we look more relaxed. Facial expressions change more naturally. Speech flows more spontaneously and add to that a sparkle of laughter and free flowing joyfulness.
The conversation feels more alive because we are responding in the moment rather than managing an image.
Having a conversation based video brings shared attention where two minds focus on the same idea, story, or feeling. That alignment creates a sense of closeness, trust and flow. You become in this moment together. It’s two people building and sharing something together — ideas, insights, and possibilities to what was a solo, individual video.
Instead of spending hours trying to perfect videos on our own what if you could have a recorded conversation with another business women about you and your business that could be turned into videos.
Just imagine that moment of sittingdown and having an easy, open conversation about your business. No scripts, no pressure — just a natural exchange. From that relaxed conversation comes a collection of genuine videos you can share to tell your story.
This is where She Momentum can help. I’m here to support you to stand out online. Find out how on the website!
