Sandra Dee Robinson is an actress, speaker, radio host and founder of Charisma on Camera Media Training Studio, in Los Angeles, CA. Sandra helps experts and visionaries look and feel like a Rock Star when they step in front of a TV or video camera. With visual media now being so crucial to successful business development, Sandra is under great demand as a coach and consultant to entrepreneurs, authors, politicians, celebrities and well-established experts to help them develop confidence in their personal on-camera brand. Sandra facilitates the use of video in her clients’ business marketing, prepares them for media opportunities and with her production team, she will develop and shoot website or product videos. Sandra has appeared in major roles on Another World, Sunset Beach, Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, and guest starred on many prime time shows. Currently, Sandra is on The Bay The Series and continues to work as an on-camera host. Sandra considers her job well done when her clients boast of an increase in their confidence, brand recognition and their income! Sandra’s success rate speaks for itself.
I am determined to create beautiful flowers plants and fruits this spring.. and as I get down and dirty, picturing the fruits of my labor sprouting in just weeks from now, I am excited and a little pensive; You see, every year I do the same thing, and each year I have a garden of hits and misses.
It occurred to me I do the same thing in area of my business and life, too.
I plant and re-plant.. sometimes without prepping the soil, or really picturing what I want. I end up with hits… and misses. ( Sometimes I don’t want to admit the misses.) Maybe this sounds familiar?
So this season, I am digging deeper and I want to invite you to join me!
What do I mean by deeper?
1.Deeper in our commitment to stay positive and uncluttered in our thinking.. no more negative thought derailment that costs time, energy and .. Ultimately, money!
2. Deeper in our message… really uncover what qualifies us to speak on our topic. I am not referring to just degrees and awards, but our experiences, and how we can go deeper with the emotional connection to our audience.
3.Deeper in our outreach… really be strategic in creating the videos, media and products that will create the results we desire. No more random acts of video blogging!
Are you in?
After all, it’s springtime, and THIS is the time of year for planting seeds for lush growth!
Watch for the upcoming videos that tackle these topics and go with me as we dig deeper and create 2013 to be the year we intended it to be and more. Please share this video and any others if they resonate with you. Leave comments and questions. I’d love to hear from you!
Info@charismaoncamera.com
Looking for media exposure this year? I’m often asked what it takes to get seen; what do television producers look for exactly?
Truth is whether the media outlet you are pitching to is print, radio, web show or television there are 5 keys to success in getting KNOWN and getting booked repeatedly:
K Be a Kink in the hose So often the decision makers have pitches rolling over their desk like water from a fire hose. Think for a second what happens when your garden hose develops a kink; The flow stops for a moment and you have to backtrack to take a closer look. In much the same way, creating clever positioning, and unusual approach to current events can cause a producer, or publisher to stop and take a closer look. For example, instead of, “Diet tips for weight lose” use “Eat your fat! Why fat in your diet can actually help you lose weight.” In some ways the second pitch is the opposite of what you might expect, causing a pause and hopefully, a much closer look.
N Never give up. Know that because of the daily wash of pitches rushing across their desks and constant deadlines begging to be met, the decision makers cannot respond to every pitch. Some experts have told me one of the hardest things to get used to is the “silence;” not hearing anything back after sending in several pitches. Do not take it personally, but continue to offer clever approaches and valuable information. You just might be on their radar right now, and the next suggestion you send could be the one that arrives at the exact right time. That said, while follow up is not the worst thing in most cases, do not harass the producer, reporter or publisher by constant phone calls or e mails, asking,” did you get my pitch?” If they are as busy as most in their position, unnecessary distractions in their day are not appreciated and may cost you an opportunity.
I’ll cover the remaining three points in detail in the next article, but here’s a bit of insight on what I’ll cover:
O Be Outstanding in your field. How to “celebritize” your brand
W Wow them when you get the chance. Use facts, figures and your personal story.
N Have no doubts. How to“Own your space” when you get in the spotlight.
Media can be an incredible tool to boost your recognition and business, when done right! If it’s in your goals for the next six months to get booked and get known, there’s no better time to get started preparing for it than right now. Are you ready for media exposure? What questions do you have? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s Holiday Season and everywhere you look there are tempting treats and sweets. If you are speaking, or presenting on camera you may want to be aware of the hazards of the holidays; I’m not just talking about the extra 600 calories extra per day that most of us will have from Thanksgiving to New Years ( Yikes!), I am referring to the ingredients to avoid that could weaken your voice, or increase your nerves!
It’s a wonderful time to celebrate and enjoy festive food, but leave about 48 hours between indulgence in these items and any speaking or media engagement:
Sugar is almost unavoidable this time of year, pretty cookies, cakes and sweet drinks, but too much can cause a sore throat, and cause you to strain your voice. You’ll want to keep your voice strong. Keep sweets to a reasonable amount and drinks lots of h2o! Bonus, sugar can increase inflammation in the body, so by keeping sugar intake under control for the season, you’ll stand a better chance of fighting off a winter cold!
Alcoholic drinks contain a lot of sugar as well, and even if you avoid the heavy nog and just go for wine, realize that even the best cabernet can effect your throat the next day!
Salt intake over the holidays can increase exponentially simply by grabbing a handful of fancy nuts here, and a few bites of cheese there.. olives and pretzels and before you know it, you’re waking up with puffy eyes due to water retention. To stay looking your best, eat before you hit the cocktail party, so those little weenies in croissants are not so tempting! A bonus, it’s not as awkward to meet someone when you have a hand free of food to shake!
Dairy products can cause mucus build up in the throat. To avoid having to clear your throat repeatedly, best to be cautious of the whipped cream, butter, and cheesecake!
If you have overindulged or cut yourself too short on sleep during the party season, it might be tempting to increase your caffeine intake. Be careful! If you have any nervousness about your presentation or interview, then extra caffeine can increase your shakiness; worse yet, it can cause you to lose focus. Just the opposite of what you want! Better way to raise your energy level before stepping on stage.. quick jumping jacks!
Remember, 48 hour clearance from indulgence to performance should keep you safe. The rest of the time, enjoy a few treats, have a fancy cocktail and celebrate the season!
Sandra has been coaching entertainment reporters and television hosts for many years, and she founded Charisma on Camera to expand her clientele to professionals in any field. Her current clients include authors, life coaches, experts in their fields that want to find their star qualities, confidence, and comfort level to establish themselves as an expert guest, successful speaker or host their own show. For more tips and info go to www.charismaoncamera.com
I had my favorite acting coach say one day, “fascinated people are fascinating.”
His point being if we were fascinated with our purpose in the scene, we would be extremely engaging to an audience.
When we think about it, isn’t that what you want, too? Engagement with your viewers is key to building rapport, and in good rapport, you are able to move your followers to action.
I have always been fascinated with human and animal behavior, and as my coach said this, I began to think of times in my life that I found this to be true;
You may think of a time, too. Maybe at a networking event, you start a conversation with someone that has a profession, which, quite honestly, you are not particularly interested in. Next thing you know, because of this person’s enthusiasm, you are drawn in, and who know, maybe even find a way to partner in a joint venture with them! It does happen!
I recall a time when a homeless man held my attention as he walked by, thoroughly consumed by a conversation with an imaginary friend as I sat at a Starbucks sipping a latte. He drew the focus of most of us sitting outside on that busy street. His dedication and focus on his (albeit imaginary) conversation made him impossible to ignore! I realized in the moment, it was his fascination that had us fascinated. Odd as it may seem.
Two very different scenarios, for sure, but in each, the speaker’s focus and intensity was magnetizing.
How can you use these silly stories?
Identify what fascinates you and share it. If a delusional man can steal the scene on a busy street with a simple imaginary conversation, think of what you can do when you put your brilliant mind to work!
You may have noticed there is a real movement toward pure authentic presentations, and sharing your passion and purpose unabashedly. Basically I think we are hungry for the realness in each other. We are looking to connect in a culture that is becoming more and more tech-savvy and less and less personal.
That said, it may be challenging for you to find that place of comfort on camera when talking about your true fascination. How much can you share, and how do you include it in your message to be most effective?
Well first, I recommend sharing your purpose and passion with the camera when you have no real agenda. Just share, and record. Play back, and look for where you really light up. Look for the moments that you feel the absolute urge to share.
A few things could still be in your way to feeling comfortable with this concept of delivery, like:
Fear. My suggestion is to work through the camera exercise in my foundational training DVD that encourages you to focus on the person you most need to reach, speaking through the lens. Don’t have the training? It’s free! @ www.charismaoncamera.com. Burn out. You’ve been at your profession for a while, and are currently not able to tap into the passion that you had in the beginning. Solution: incorporate words from your passions outside of your business. Love dance? Baseball? Incorporate verbiage from these passions into your message. You can even use metaphors using symbols from your favorite hobbies! Don’t worry about alienating anyone, but think instead, of how pleasant it would be to draw in clients that resonate with your love of the sport, or dance, or outdoors. You will attract your niche the more you can share your true self. Share your passion. You’ll enjoy sharing your message even more, and we will enjoy watching you! Be fascinated.
To hear more watch the video below and watch to the end for some funny bloopers
Enjoy and let us know what you think in the comments and what you want to see next on Big Impact!
Sandra has been coaching entertainment reporters and television hosts for many years, and she founded Charisma on Camera to expand her clientele to professionals in any field. Her current clients include authors, life coaches, experts in their fields that want to find their star qualities, confidence, and comfort level to establish themselves as an expert guest, successful speaker or host their own show. For more tips and info go to www.charismaoncamera.com
Our first episode of “Big Impact” and the answers to some of the most common questions I get from you. (this is why we love feedback and comments on videos!)
With some help from the experts, we tackle those pesky technical decisions to help you set up your own home or office studio!
If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the types and features of the cameras, microphones and lighting (I TOTALLY understand how that can happen!) you may be, heaven forbid, procrastinating. I want to encourage you get started creating your shooting space today! The world needs your message, and we will do our best to demystify the world of technical mumbo jumbo for you in today’s show.
We talk about
The type of camera that can best serve you, and the investment it will require. Hey, you may decide to NOT buy the camera after all (watch the video to see why!)
The style of microphone the experts most recommend.
Lighting choices and some quick tips to play with from the pros!
Hey at this point you get it. You know videos are a key element in your marketing campaign, so let’s make it as easy as we can on you, by helping you set a place that is ready to shoot when you are, or at least have you understanding the options in cameras and equipment to get you fired up and ready to make your impact!
Watch the first episode of BIG IMPACT and leave us your thoughts below!.
And, you may want to take a few notes..
Sandra has been coaching entertainment reporters and television hosts for many years, and she founded Charisma on Camera to expand her clientele to professionals in any field. Her current clients include authors, life coaches, experts in their fields that want to find their star qualities, confidence, and comfort level to establish themselves as an expert guest, successful speaker or host their own show. For more tips and info go to www.charismaoncamera.com
You know how good it feels to see deposits in your bank account, knowing you have just been paid well for your quality products and services that you provide?
Wouldn’t we all like that to be more consistent?
Understanding how to embrace your natural delivery and style in your visual media (and all your marketing) will help you to attract your unique fans. Ok, I know this isn’t new, you’ve heard it before (probably by me!), but I still see some entrepreneurs doing videos and interviews that could be ten times more effective if they just do one thing:
Let go.
Here are three examples of how you can open up new possibilities:
1. Let go of the need to appeal to everyone. Understand that some folks just will not “get” you. Did you know that 10% of all the people you meet in your life will not like you, no matter what you do? So, don’t even be concerned with them! After all, they are not your people. Rest assured that no matter how crowded your field, there are plenty of followers for everyone. That’s why I feel I can share the stage with people that do similar things to me, marketing, branding and media training, but I know that each of us will attract a different following, EVEN if we talk about the same subject.
Think about this, if you watch late night shows, you most likely have a favorite, right? It might be Leno, Letterman, Kimmel or Ferguson, but one of their visual brands appeals to you more than the others. It’s the same with your visual brand! And that’s ok. The sooner you let go of the desire to be chosen by everyone, the faster your fans will flourish.
2. Let go of “opt outs” with happiness. Do you cringe when you see that notice in your in-box that someone has “unsubscribed” from your mailing list? I used to, too. Now I just remind myself that some people are not mine to serve forever. Do not take it personally. If you really are set to make your impact in the world, then you need an army of passionate fans behind you. Consider that “ unsubscriber” as a step toward building a stronger community of your fans. Good for you!
3. Let go of those darn persistent self-limiting beliefs. I sometimes say that when you are starting to work in front of the camera, all of your old “stuff” can come up! Often that need to be “liked” by everyone can be a manifestation of an old limiting belief. Once you become aware of these roadblocks, however (and hopefully have learned a way to manage them), it’s just a matter of consciously replacing it with the opposite, empowering belief. So common limiting beliefs like, “I’m not worthy” or “ I’m not good enough” can be overrun by beliefs such as, “ I am valuable, smart and worthy of success.” “ I have faith that my desired clients will be drawn to me by my message and energy.”
Standing in your strengths in every presentation and interview on camera means you have to love them all; including the things that you might think make you “quirky” or “different.” Yes, these can be incredible strengths because they set you apart! When you stand out your fans can find you. Plus, you will be feeling more natural on camera and able to enjoy it more.
It’s a win-win for everyone.
Are you ready to let go of your limiting beliefs and the need to be liked by everyone? Are you still attached to the need to hold on? Tell us below about your experiences.
Sandra has been coaching entertainment reporters and television hosts for many years, and she founded Charisma on Camera to expand her clientele to professionals in any field. Her current clients include authors, life coaches, experts in their fields that want to find their star qualities, confidence, and comfort level to establish themselves as an expert guest, successful speaker or host their own show. For more tips and info go to www.charismaoncamera.com
It’s a no-brainer at this point that you have a channel on the biggest video website and take advantage of a portion of the 2 billion people that watch YouTube videos daily, but it may seem overwhelming at first to develop good content. Have no fear! It can be easier than you first think to come up with fabulous video ideas to help promote your brand and showcase you as the “go to” expert.
Think about creating tutorials–a series of them.
It’s easy if you consider what questions or problems your clients or customers most often bring to you. Extend that answer into a short “lesson” of two or three minutes. Share your best information with passion and enthusiasm and make a difference in a prospective client’s life. Sharing your best stuff can not only impress the person seeking help but should intrigue him to wonder what else you’ve got!
If you have a hard product, your tutorial could be a product demonstration. Keep in mind that with this you may want to do some easy editing. A zoom in or out to clearly show how the product is used or highlight special features. It doesn’t have to be fancy–just effective!
Another use for the tutorial or demonstration video is showcasing or pitching your product to prospective investors or big buyers. Rather than still photos, you can give them an “experience”! It’s not a bad idea to make sure your flash player is up to date on your smart phone. You can access your channel anywhere and share your message or product via video in seconds when the opportunity arises. Last year, the number of mobile viewers of YouTube tripled! Think about how connected (literally) you are to your smartphone. Now, it really makes sense to have your video tutorial easily accessible when you need it!
The last use of a tutorial type video is customer care. Why not offer a video to illustrate clearly how to assemble, use, or fix your product? After all, YouTube is quickly becoming a resource center; for instance, I recently searched for a solution to a problem I was having with my clothes dryer. I found my answer demonstrated on YouTube. That little video saved me hundreds of dollars. I am so grateful. I absolutely would refer the man that created that video! And I have never met him!
Never underestimate the power of the moving picture. It can open doors and pull paying clients through them. What can you do this week that will help others and highlight your expertise?
Sometimes a theme will just show up organically, and since last week I was talking about the fabulous power of a good testimonial I thought, why not continue the theme of free (or nearly free) video marketing ideas for your business that you can do right now?
Today I want you to share the information that you know like the back of your hand. Pretty easy, huh?
I would venture to guess that no matter what your field of expertise, you have the same questions asked of you over and over. Yep, I am referring to the “frequently asked questions.”
You should have a FAQ area on your website. Think of the ease with which you can utilize video answers to these:
FIRST, you have no homework; you know these answers inside out… most times you are asked them on a daily basis. Easy!
SECOND, It’s the simplest formula in the world:
Take the question.
Hit “record” on your camera
Repeat the question in the answer.
Hit “stop recording” on your camera
Rinse and repeat (well, kind of) at least 10 times. (10 videos)
A quick example:
The question: “Will training on camera help me with public speaking?”
Answer: “Training on camera helps public speakers tap into a deeper level of confidence. I recommend training on camera not only to get even more solid in your presentation style and brand, but also to avoid any self-consciousness that can arise when a speaker spots a camera pointed at them during their time on stage. Quite often, presentations are video taped now. It’s better to be prepared for it.”
Less than 30 second answer.
Easy.
THE EXTRA BONUS? You can use these little videos in multiple ways from posting them on social networks or on your YouTube channel as a regular “tip” series, to utilizing them in a streaming video in your waiting room where your next potential client or patient is formulating their own questions for you. This helps to create effective consultations, if that is a part of your business!
These are just a few ideas. Take a few minutes and you’ll probably come up with a few of your own. By creating multiple uses for your content you are preserving your most precious resource, your time!
Take some time today and write out your ten most often-asked questions. Pick an hour to shoot this week, and get your videos out there to promote your brand.
EASY.
PS: A quick word of advice, while it is most important that you get the video footage done and in use, you may want to have an editor ( or spend some time on your own) to place your logo in a corner of the video FAQ’s. This protects your information, and further promotes your brand.
Want more examples? Take a look at our FAQ answer videos… I did them myself in one afternoon.
How to benefit from one of the most often overlooked opportunities to promote your business
“Do you ever teach a class on testimonials?”
The light went on; until that moment, I had not considered the degree to which testimonials are overlooked as promotion for business! Since the person asking me the question was not only a friend, but a marketing genius, I decided to give this testimonial idea a bit more thought….
You may be thinking,” well, it’s obvious that testimonials for my business are great for my website and other promotion. I know this already….”
Hold your horses because I am talking about the incredible value in the giving of testimonials!
As much as you appreciate a good testimonial, you know you will not hesitate to use a good customer’s complimentary video on your website if it’s done well. So, if you get to be excellent at giving great testimonials, think of all the websites you may show up on! Each time you are reminding people of who you are and what you do!
All that extra exposure for FREE! Actually, I like to think of it as better than free because you are, after all, helping a fellow entrepreneur or expert by giving a heartfelt endorsement. It’s a win-win! When you get to help a new client or customer because they found you on website giving a testimonial (it happens, a lot!) then it’s actually a win-win-win!
So how can you consistently give great testimonials?
It’s a simple process really:
1. Start with your name and your company. Don’t rush this! Add in your tag line if you have one. This is where we get our first sense of who you are, so show us a bit of your brand.
2. The content of the testimonial. This is where some people falter. The question, “What exactly do I say?” can be paralyzing. I admit, I avoided giving testimonials in the beginning because I was not sure how to assemble a good testimonial. Try this:
“Before I attended______________________ (or used___________ or was coached by ___________________…you get the idea), I was ________________________(choose an undesirable state, like “frustrated by _______” or “struggling with ________”). Now I am _______________________ (choose a desirable state, “ excited to be________, confident in______________).
Thank you so much ___________________________!
3. Close with your name and website or company name again. Be friendly (not “salesy”) and clear… realize someone may be writing or typing your website at that moment!
Pretty simple but effective!
The next time you have the opportunity to give a video testimonial for someone that has helped you, jump at the chance! In fact, why not think of someone that has helped you and send them a testimonial today! What a great gift to receive from a client or happy customer. At the very least, you may just make someone’s day. At the best, you may attract a great client or two from that person’s website.
For more ideas on how you can think outside the box to use video and other visual media to increase your business, attend a workshop, seminar, tele-class or just call for a free consultation! Don’t wait to get started towards making the impact you are designed to make in the world. www.CharismaONCamera.com 877.605.3322
Have you ever given video testimonials? Next time you are asked will you jump at the chance?
For some great, formatted testimonial examples check out these Charisma ON Camera clients!
There in the front lawn in a residential area of Los Angeles stood the horses we had come to pick up…they turned to evaluate our approach as dogs ran past their feet to announce us as intruders, wiggling past the cars in the driveway as they rushed the gate. It was an unexpected, but happy ending for the animals whose travels have been documented for years in video and media (they graced the LA Times just recently). As part of an anti-horse slaughter campaign, they had traversed the highways and streets of southern California to bring attention to the controversial issue.
While the media goals had been well met, perhaps the campaign itself had not been all that successful. After all, here I was, alongside my friend and animal trainer, Jessie, answering the call to help the woman who initiated this ill- fated campaign; it was the end of the line for her.. and her horses needed a forever home. (We were the right ones to call. They are happy, safe, and maybe a bit spoiled now!)
What happened?
It could have been the common misconception that media exposure is always a good thing. Many people seek to grab the opportunity for exposure whenever it arises, believing that the more people they reach, the better.
Not always true.
In the case of this animal right activist, for instance, a well-meaning soul, heartfelt in her approach, but some of the planning was lacking in detail. There was not enough solid research for her points to be considered seriously, and ultimately, no sufficient call to action.. she had no website to inform or petition to sign. Awareness was raised slightly, perhaps, but the outcome was not what it might have been.
Other ways that media may not be so friendly is when the call to appear on a TV show is accepted without the proper research on the show’s audience demographics. Just because a show might be high in the ratings does not necessarily mean that your product or service is what that audience will want. I know the story of a woman who manufactured thousands of extra products to appear on Oprah, thinking that she would sell out and become a household name overnight with the exposure on her show. Unfortunately, her products were not appropriate for the viewers; the price point was too high. Her media opportunity on one of the highest rated shows at the time was a costly mistake.
In both circumstances, and in so many others, the mistake is in the planning, or the lack thereof.
Have a big goal that you are moving toward. Some call it a big picture. With that big picture in mind, work backwards and realize the structure you need in order to accomplish your goal. Who do you need to meet to get you there? Who do you need to become your biggest fans? Now, where do you find them and what do they need right now?
Provide the correct solution, in the correct media outlet and that can be an incredible way to build recognition and trust. You might even become a household name!
How do you prepare for media exposure? Have you ever appeared in the media? I would love your stories in the comments below.
You should have a FAQ area on your website. Think of the ease with which you can utilize video answers to these:
Hold your horses because I am talking about the incredible value in the giving of testimonials!
While the media goals had been well met, perhaps the campaign itself had not been all that successful. After all, here I was, alongside my friend and animal trainer, Jessie, answering the call to help the woman who initiated this ill- fated campaign; it was the end of the line for her.. and her horses needed a forever home. (We were the right ones to call. They are happy, safe, and maybe a bit spoiled now!)
Follow @Sandra_Dee