More and more of us need to be on camera. Here’s how to do it without being cringe

I opened my South by Southwest (SXSW) session with a confession: I have a video from over a decade ago where I am impersonating Ron Burgundy from “Anchorman.” Stiff delivery, robotic cadence, completely inauthentic. Did I say video? I’ll clarify and say this was footage broadcast on the local news during my stint as a local TV news reporter. I thought that’s what “being on camera” was supposed to look like. I was wrong. Today I speak on stages across the country, host a podcast, and coach founders and executives on how to show up confidently on video. The transformation wasn’t magic—it was mindset, skillset, and repetition. And it’s available to anyone willing to do the work. I get asked constantly, “What’s the key to being better on camera?” Or “How can I not be cringey on camera?” Here’s my answer. Redefine Cringe Let’s redefine this. Cringe is a feeling of awkwardness, toward yourself or others. Maybe you see yourself on video and you shudder. You’re cringing at yourself. But cringiness isn’t a trait, it’s a state of mind: 1. Being cringey is being inauthentic. Like me impersonating Ron Burgundy. The key is to work on becoming more comfortable with training and commitment. 2. Worrying that you’ll be cringey is a self-limiting belief. This is the biggest issue I’ve seen from my 20 years in media and coaching founders, CEOs, and authors to appear on TV, on podcasts, and on social media. Hiding From the Camera Is Hiding From Clients The biggest mistake professionals make isn’t a bad lighting setup or a cluttered background. It’s not showing up at all. When you avoid video, you are actively hiding from potential clients, collaborators, and opportunities. Visibility creates credibility. I’ve watched clients double their income, land speaking gigs, attract inbound client calls, and get book deals, all because they committed to showing up on camera. One client, a healthcare consultant, w