On Camera Confidence!

In this holiday-themed episode, Helen shares honest, encouraging guidance for creators who struggle with confidence on camera—especially those who feel awkward, intimidated, or frozen when they hit record.

You’ll hear real talk about pushing through discomfort, releasing expectations around views, and why confidence is built through practice—not perfection. Helen also shares a meaningful Unsponsored By spotlight on Alec’s Gift Baskets, a purpose-driven business supporting people with disabilities, veterans, and second-chance employment.

FIND ALEC'S GIFT BASKETS HERE: https://www.alecsgiftbaskets.com/

In this episode, we cover:

• Why feeling “weird” on camera is part of the process (and totally normal)
• How imagining a receptive viewer—not a critical audience—changes everything
• Letting go of views, metrics, and performance pressure
• Taking baby steps to build on-camera confidence
• Why your first take is often your best take
• The power of showing up before you feel ready
• A behind-the-scenes lesson on building an email list through value-driven content

This episode is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, one imperfect video at a time.

✨ Happy holidays, and get ready to step into the new year with clarity, courage, and creative momentum.

🎙️ Podcast Outline — Why You’re Not Growing on Social Media

INTRO

• Helen returns from a creative brand shoot in Dallas — fresh insights coming soon
• This week’s Unsponsored by Choice: Fable Cosmetics
• Shoutout to Tina at Fable for beautifully branded products and a makeup refresh
• Today’s topic: Why you’re not growing on social media — and how to rethink your strategy

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

1. The Real Reason Growth Stalls

• Relying solely on TikTok Shop, lip-syncs, or still photos = limited growth
• Followers need a reason to follow you — value, entertainment, inspiration, or connection

2. What Big Brands Actually Look For

• Brands favor great storytellers, not just big influencers
• Authenticity > polished sales pitches
• Creators who share their truth perform better than creators who “sell”

3. Influencers vs. Creators Today

• The old-school influencer model is shifting
• New audiences don’t flock to “famous influencers” — they follow relatable problem-solvers
• Trust is now the currency, not follower count

4. Value: The Most Important Ingredient

• Followers want content that improves their life in some way
• Value can be: humor, creativity, education, inspiration, personality, or storytelling
• Lip-syncs or shop-only videos rarely build loyalty anymore

5. Flip the Script: Ask Yourself the Big Question

• “Why do I want to post on social media?”
• If your answer is “to make money,” growth will be slow
• Money is the outcome, not the purpose
• Authenticity collapses when the only driver is sales

6. Trust Takes Time — And It’s Worth It

• Real monetization comes from trust, consistency, and community
• Great example: Amber from the Studio—small but powerful niche audience → brand deals
• Niche, passion, and community outperform random product pushes

7. Play the Long Game

• Quick money = short-lived, burnout-heavy path
• Long game = purpose-driven content, sustainable growth, and genuine enjoyment
• You don’t need millions to monetize — you need loyalty

8. Holiday Challenge Reminder

• Join the 12 Days of Vlogmas / Holiday Challenge starting today
• Easy prompts, flexible formats, and a great way to build momentum

JOIN US HERE and use HOLIDAY10 for $10 off your first month!

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about one of my favorite topics:

How to transition from being a content consumer to a content creator.

If you’ve ever felt the nudge to start posting—or you're already creating but want to rethink your approach—this episode will give you a fresh perspective. It’s also a perfect one to share with someone who’s just getting started and isn’t sure where to begin.

Here’s what we get into:

• How to watch your For You Page with real intention and learn from what stops your scroll
• Why clarifying your “why” makes content creation so much easier
• How crowded niches still allow for your unique voice
• The different ways your content can add value—educational, entertaining, storytelling, or character-based
• The truth about growth, consistency, and resilience
• How to filter out bad advice and learn through experimentation
• Why creating what YOU genuinely want is the most sustainable long-term strategy

It's a simple framework, but a powerful one—and it’s exactly what I wish every new creator understood before posting their first video.

Feel free to reply or comment with your questions—I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.