In November 2011 I ran a full day workshop all about Marketing Planning. During the day I was filmed and we?ve been editing the different sections, so that we can share the content from the workshop with lots of other businesses. All the people on my mentoring programme receive the videos for free, to help them with their marketing plans. The first video is available as a free download from my website (click here to watch the first stage in planning your marketing) and the other sections will be available to buy as we finishing editing them.

As I watched myself on video, I started to notice some of the things that I do when I?m presenting, that I didn?t realise I did. I learnt the basics of public speaking by going to Toastmasters, which taught me many things, but that was some time ago. I?ve picked up a few bad habits since then! The first thing I noticed is that I need to focus on being really positive about what I say. A few times, it looks like I?m not quite sure what I?m talking about. My voice goes quite quiet and I lose eye contact with the audience and almost start to waffle. From now on, I?m going to really think about what I?m about to say, before I launch into something I will regret saying, or something that doesn?t provide any value for my audience.

Next I need to work on my hands. Too often they are moving too much, often making gestures that don?t add anything to my presentation. Actually they are quite distracting. While editing the videos I found myself watching my hands and not listening to what I was saying. I do get very enthusiastic when I?m presenting ? especially when it?s a topic I?m passionate about ? and I need to make sure my hand don?t get carried away.

The third thing I noticed is that sometimes I say something positive, yet my facial expression suggests that I?m saying something negative, or eating something I don?t like! That?s something I?ve never noticed before and it?s the sort of thing you?ll only spot when watching yourself on video. Now that I know I do it, I can watch out for it and prevent it from happening, as it can give a confused message.

If you?re thinking about running workshops or seminars to promote your business, or you?ve been asked to give a presentation to a networking group, think about filming yourself, to help you deliver a better performance. You can also film a practice run and watch that back, so what you do, how you move and speak, what you say without realising it. Seeing yourself on video really is a great way to improve your performance.