Help Prospects Get To Know You Better With an Online Introduction Video
Making cold calls, visiting local businesses and promoting your services online can seem like an insurmountable task when you’re new and inexperienced. You may feel like an imposter, worried that prospective clients will see right through you or that you’ll make a fool of yourself.
Posting an online introductory video is a great way to take the pressure off and to help prospective clients get to know about you and your business.
It’s Normal to Feel Nervous
Low confidence is a big hurdle to overcome when you’re starting up a new bookkeeping or virtual assistant business, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Even the most successful business owners had to start somewhere.
When you’re transitioning from a job with a regular pay packet into the unknown territory of self-employment, there will be times when you’ll wonder what on earth you were thinking.
Launching your own business is exciting and exhilarating—and often very scary!
Here’s why is hard to start a business:
- You think about and highlight things you are NOT good at (whereas you should be able to recommend people from your referral network if you are unable to help.)
- You undersell yourself because you don’t think you are worth it.
- You try hard to get every single client—even if they are not right for you.
- You use negative language and a hesitant tone of voice.
- You may come across as if you are desperate.
- You take a passive approach—you hope that they will come to you.
- You don’t believe that the sales process works—at least, not for you.
- You expect them to say “no” instead of “yes”.
Sound familiar?
Think back to a time when you had to perform a task under pressure, such as making a speech or a presentation, attending a job interview, performing in a play or breaking bad news to somebody. Or, perhaps you had to undertake a big life-changing project such as purchasing a home, doing renovations, having a baby or emigrating to a new country?
Ask yourself the following:
- How did it make you feel?
- How did you overcome your nervousness?
- Why did you persist instead of giving up?
- What was the result?
- How did you feel afterwards?
- Would you do it again if positive results were guaranteed?
We always surprise ourselves with what we can achieve when we want something badly enough (or are unwilling to live with the alternative). Take confidence and power from your past achievements and use them to propel you forward through your next challenge.
How a Video Bio Can Help
One of the issues that job seekers or virtual assistants have is how to build a reputation online and rapport with prospects. A video bio is a great way to do it.
Creating an introductory online video will act as an icebreaker, allowing you to build rapport with your prospects and familiarity with your brand. It will also serve as a way to
highlight your key selling points without the pressure of having to perform ‘live’.
- Your video bio can help prospects to get to know you better and make a quicker decision as to whether they think they’ll like you and trust you.
- You can put forward your key selling points in a concise, measured and well-ordered format.
- You can take your time to practice, re-record segments and edit the video as you see fit.
- You can refer to your notes while recording.
- You only have to record it once. It will stay online where many people can view it multiple times.
- It will help you feel more confident about speaking to prospects in person or over the phone if they recognise your name and feel that they have already met you.
In addition to posting your video on your website, you can also share it via social media and to your email list.
Overcoming the Fear
The fear of failure is real. No matter how much you practice and prepare, a little stage fright is natural when you are getting ready to record your video bio.
Here are a few tips to help you face the camera feeling fresh and confident:
- Maintain a Positive Mindset
Keep your eye on the main prize. Remember why you started this journey.
Your goal is within reach and you’re almost there!
As Jennifer Lopez famously once said, “Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.”
- Use Assertive Language
Fake it until you make it. This applies to both your verbal communication and your body language. Hold your gaze steady, square your shoulders back and speak with authority, and you will begin to feel more confident.
- Be Prepared
Decide what you will say and in what order, and have some notes and cheat sheets ready so that you can refer to them during your video recording. - Keep It Short
Your video only needs to be 1 minute or less in duration. Anything longer and your viewers will switch off and keep scrolling.
- Practice Makes Perfect
Rehearse your video introduction and play it back. Make adjustments until you are happy with the finished product but resist the temptation to aim for perfection. It will only make you feel more frustrated and stressed, and be counterproductive to what you are trying to achieve. - Relax
Take a deep breath, go for a walk or drink a cup of herbal tea and keep the task in perspective. When you are recording your video, nobody is watching but you. Be patient and kind to yourself.
Summary
An online video bio is the ideal way to launch yourself online and personalise the buying experience for your prospective clients. It helps to turn a ‘cold call’ into a ‘warm call’ by establishing rapport and familiarity before you speak with them. As a result, it takes the pressure off you to ‘perform’.
When we keep our eye on our goals they remain within reach. With a little focus, determination and a willingness to make things happen, you can overcome the fear of failure and enjoy the rewards of success.
Watch a Video Introduction From a Real-Life Bookkeeper
Trevor Turner is a bookkeeper, accountant and registered BAS agent with over 15 years experience running his own business. Watch his video bio here:
https://natbooks.com.au/myob-xero-bookkeeping-accounting-knoxfield-vic/
From Childcare to Bookkeeping – A Training Success Story
When Agnest decided to transition from a career in childcare to becoming a self-employed bookkeeper she didn’t make the decision lightly. She had no experience in bookkeeping and as a mother to two small children, she knew that a change would require determination and a long-term commitment. However, as Agnest soon found out, making money from bookkeeping was more achievable than she’d initially thought.
https://workface.com.au/2022/05/from-childcare-to-bookkeeping-a-training-success-story/