The Reels format authors hate (that unfortunately is really great for connecting with readers): talk-to-camera video
tutorial 4 of the Reel-y Simple Reels series; Instagram Reels for beginners; tutorials for talking to camera, using green-screen, and simple audio layering
Hello! And welcome to the Reel-y Simple Reels series. Part of this post is available for all readers, part is for members of TOO MUCH INSTAGRAM only. To have access to all of the resources, please consider upgrading your subscription to become a member
Most writers and authors hate talking to camera. Seeing your face, hearing your own voice, and recording yourself talking to no one are all reasons enough to never make this type of Instagram content.
And, honestly, you don’t have to do it. The Instagram Police aren’t going to chase you off the platform for relying on b-roll and using Canva to create carousels.
But, before you reject the idea entirely, it is worth considering the strengths of this format:
talking to camera is a great way to give your audience a flavour of the real you, stripped back from curated images, and carefully chosen words. What does your voice sound like? What accent do you have? What do you look like when your face mooooves? These are all things that only video can capture and when you talk to camera it feels to your audience like they’re getting to know more about the real you.
talking to camera can ‘lift’ ideas that otherwise might be difficult to make engaging. Hearing you talk about your expertise with passion and energy can feel like you’re on a Facetime call with a friend and that intimacy can help you build connection with the people in your audience.
once you get used to it, talking to camera Reels can actually be faster to make and edit than other types of content. Some people - not me - have the gift of articulating their ideas in straight lines so picking a topic and talking for a minute is much faster than fiddling around in Canva. For people like me who talk in spirals, looping away and then back towards a central idea, scripts are your friend ;-)
you can give your opinion on new events, articles, or even other people’s Reels using the green-screen or remixing tools within Instagram Reels itself which again adds to the energy, intimacy, and immediacy of your posts in a way that b-roll Reels never could.
Feeling tempted but something is holding you back?
These are the questions and objections I hear the most, and the answers I typically give:
What if I hate looking at my own face while I speak?
Use Stories to practise talking to camera. For most people it’s one of those things that just gets easier the more you do it. Remember - make generous assumptions about your audience.
Where do I look when I’m filming?
If you’re nervous then look at yourself! You can look into the camera but that can feel strange if you’re not used to it. Don’t worry if you ‘break eye contact’ when you’re speaking. This is not supposed to be perfectly polished content.
Do I need any special equipment?
No. Recording these Reels is easier if you don’t have to hold your phone but if you don’t have a tripod then a can of soup and an elastic band can do the trick. A mini microphone can look cool and be an effective visual hook but it’s perfectly possible to create effective talk-to-camera Reels without one.
Should I sit or stand?
Standing may inject your speech with extra energy, but whether you record by sitting or standing, begin by greeting a friend! You can always cut it out later, but an initial, ‘Hello! How are you?’ in the tone you’d use to answer the phone to a friend can inject your voice with more energy and warmth.
Do I need special lighting?
No, but it is best to have good lighting. You can get this by simply sitting facing a window and standing your phone/ tripod on the window sill.
If you’d like to know more about why Reels more generally should be part of your content on Instagram, you can read more here:
The Reel-y Simple Reels series is a set of tutorials to ease writers and authors into video creation. As you become more fluent in the Reels editing suite you can build on these skills and start to make more complex videos (if you want to) but these initial tutorials will build your confidence and give you a good place to start.
To view all posts in the Reel-y Simple Reels series, click the button:
Included in this tutorial:
6 tips for making talk-to-camera Reels as easeful and comfortable as they can be
step-by-step instructions for using green-screen in your talk-to-camera videos
step-by-step instructions for layering music underneath your voice so you can benefit from an extra element to maintain interest, and also harness the small boost you can get by using trending audio
Before you record your videos
Make sure you’ve explored the Reels editing suite. If you’re not sure where to begin, then start by watching the first video in this series where you’ll find a tour of the main features that you will need to know to get you started:
Watch the video tutorial 👇🏼
The video tutorial is exclusive to members of Too Much Instagram. Upgrade your subscription to become a member. Browse the archive of resources here to understand the benefits of becoming a member. Members also have access to weekly online chats where they can pick my brains about their posting plans for the week, plus fortnightly live Content Create-along sessions where we create posts in community.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Too Much by Nicola Washington to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.