How to Read a Script Like a Pro While Looking Into the Camera

Table of Contents

Methods for reading a script while looking into the camera
    Teleprompter
    Memorizing your script
Tips to read a script while recording content
    Look into the camera
    Know your script
    Practice the script beforehand
    Talk slowly
    Add emotion
    Record content in segments
Conclusion

YouTubers that look into the camera while recording their content just seem more professional and trustworthy. But, how can you read a script like a pro while looking into the camera, and at the same time remember everything in your YouTube script? 

Well, no need to worry, you don’t need to be a professional actor or actress to get this right. And in this article, we reveal how you can record videos without looking away from the camera.

Methods for Reading a Script While Looking Into the Camera

There are two methods to read a video script while looking into a camera, with the help of a teleprompter or by memorizing your script. 

I will be straightforward with you now, memorizing your script is the best way to record YouTube videos. 

Teleprompter

A teleprompter is a device that displays the script on the screen in front of you. 

Typically, teleprompters are used by news anchors and presenters when recording shows or news bulletins.

However, did you know that you can also get a teleprompter that fits onto a DSLR camera, tablet, and even a mobile phone?

This means that you can now use a teleprompter while recording your YouTube videos. 

Although this is a great solution, it has a few drawbacks.

• A teleprompter is an unnecessary expense for someone getting started on their YouTube journey. 
• Reading from a teleprompter takes some skill and practice. You might as well just memorize the script and go without the teleprompter.
• If you don’t know how to read from a teleprompter, then your eyes will shift from the right to the left of the screen. This just looks unnatural and your audience will know that you’re reading off of a screen.

Memorizing Your Script

The best way to simultaneously read a script and look into the camera is to simply memorize your script. 

If you know your script you will be able to confidently present the information to the viewer. 

Unlike the case with the teleprompter, viewers won’t get distracted by your eyes moving from the left to right of the screen.

It also allows for some creativity and flexibility to deviate from the script while you record the videos. 

Now, you don’t have to know your entire script by heart. Instead, you just need to know the main discussion points and what you want to communicate to the viewer in each section or chapter of the video. 

Tips to Read a Script While Looking into the Camera

Here are some tips that you can use to sound like a pro when recording new content for your YouTube channel. 

Although I mentioned that memorizing your script is the best way to record content, these tips are also applicable if you’re using a teleprompter.

Look Into the Camera

Although many of your viewers might be on the other side of the planet, you still want your audience to feel like they’re having a personal conversation with you when they view your content.

One of the key ways to do this is to make eye contact with the camera lens. This will make your content seem more personal. 

You wouldn't think that someone who avoids making eye contact with you is a reliable source of information. 

By looking straight at the camera, you will be perceived as more trustworthy by your viewers. By building trust, viewers will naturally turn into subscribers and then into loyal followers over time.

Know Your Script

Another important tip for recording content like a pro while looking into the camera is to know your script. This is vital if you want to present the information in a clear manner. 

The truth is, the better you know your script, the better you’ll be able to communicate your ideas, knowledge, and research with your audience. 

Luckily, if you’ve written your own script, then this shouldn’t be a problem. 

Practice the Script Beforehand

Practice makes perfect. Before you even think of recording a new YouTube video, be sure to rehearse and practice your script. 

Rehearsing the script beforehand gives you the opportunity to find any complicated words or phrases that need to be replaced or substituted. 

Furthermore, sometimes words look good on paper but don’t sound that great when spoken.

You can start the practice run by just reading the script out loud to yourself.  It’s essential that you read it out loud because then you’ll be able to see if you can easily flow from one section of the script to the next. 

After you’ve read the script out loud, you should then do a “mock” recording, where you act as if the camera is rolling but it actually isn’t. The purpose of this exercise is to get comfortable in front of the camera and to get the pace and cadence of your speech right. 

For this step, you should also try to practice going through the entire video script without looking at the script. 

This will reveal any areas of the content that you need to review because you either forgot the discussion points or need a better understanding of a concept in the script.

Talk Slowly

It’s very easy to get over-excited if you’re talking about a topic that you’re extremely passionate about.

When this happens, most people tend to talk too quickly. 

However, you should do your utmost best to control the pace at which you speak. It’s also important to enunciate your words as you speak.

The whole reason why someone clicks on your video is to learn something new. 

If you’re talking too quickly and not properly pronouncing words, then it reduces the viewer’s ability to understand what you’re saying. 

This is especially important if you’re explaining tricky concepts such as science or finance-related topics or detailing the steps involved in building something. 

On the flip side, there’s also the possibility of talking too slowly. The last thing you want to be doing is boring your viewers to death through slow speech.  

Add Emotion and Personality

No one wants to watch a video where the presenter is simply sharing information without adding any personality, or where the speaker is talking with a flat, monotonous voice. 

In order to make your content fun to watch and to keep viewers engaged, you need to add some emotion to the presentation.

Take for instance Doug Demuro, you can see he’s clearly passionate about cars and motoring. This passion is reflected in the emotion he adds to his YouTube videos.

In fact, adding your own personality and emotions to videos is one of the key ways to differentiate your content from the competition.

Furthermore, if you aren’t excited to share your content with viewers, why would they be excited or interested in watching your videos?

Record Content in Segments

No one said that you should know your video script by heart like you would at a public speaking event. 

To make it easier to remember all of the most important discussion points and sections of your script, you can record content in segments.

Recording content in segments makes it possible to take a break and relax, instead of having to record an entire video in one sitting. 

Conclusion

Now you know how to read your script like a pro while looking into the camera. By following the tips and suggestions in this article, you’ll be able to stand in front of the camera and look like a professional while recording content.