In today's episode, we share how to become your most authentic self on camera. Helen went well beyond the newsletter outline below and covered bonus tips about how to gain confidence with little camera hacks and practice ideas!

🎬 Record Something Daily (Even If You Never Post It)

Treat it like vocal warm-ups for your face. One take, one topic—anything goes. Talk about your breakfast, your to-do list, your opinion on oat milk. Just get in the habit of showing up. No pressure to publish, just practice.

Remember, when you are filming don’t look at yourself, look into the lens!

👩‍🎤Channel a Character

You’re not “being fake”—you’re stepping into a version of yourself. Some people do better pretending they’re talking to a close friend. Others imagine they’re the lead in their own how-to show. Find a persona that makes the camera feel more like a conversation.

🎥 Go Live (Seriously, Try It)

Lives take the pressure off being “perfect.” You’re reacting in real time, and that can feel way more natural. Bonus tip? Download the replay and edit it into short-form content. It’s like two-for-one confidence training and content creation.

💻 Use Zoom to Trick Your Brain

Want it to feel like a chat, not a performance? Open a Zoom call, hit record, and just start talking. You can later cut yourself out from the background and pop into another scene using editing tools. It’s sneaky—but effective.

⚡️ Confidence Grows When You Keep Showing Up

Your first video won’t be your best. But your 50th? Game-changer. And if you stop waiting until you “feel ready”... you’ll get there a whole lot faster

Try this challenge:

Film one 30-second video each day this week. No pressure to post it—just talk. Keep them in a folder called “Confidence Practice.” Watch how quickly it starts to feel easier.

Today we’re diving into the world of social media ads—how they hit us, how they're crafted, and why they’re more familiar than you think. After decades working behind the scenes in commercial production, I’m pulling back the curtain on the old-school tricks that are now dressed up as everyday TikToks and Instagram Reels. From bubble machines that never worked to duffel bags that “magically” shrink, let’s get real about the strategies advertisers have used for years—and why they still work. Even on us professionals.

🔍 Episode Summary – Key Takeaways:

• Old Tricks, New Faces:
  The core tactics used in today’s social media ads are the same ones from the '80s and '90s—just with new faces (creators) and a new format (your feed).
• Behind-the-Scenes of Ad Shoots:
  Ads often feature pre-market prototypes or visual tricks like masking or strategic editing to simulate product performance (e.g., bubble machines or steamers).
• Spot the Editing Magic:
  Learn to watch for things like wrinkle removals or magical bag-packing by analyzing ad cuts—sometimes a quick jump hides a lot of manipulation.
• Even Pros Get Influenced:
  Despite being industry-savvy, I still get pulled in. I almost bought the steamer! This stuff works—and that’s the point.
• Modern Tools, Same Goal:
  Apps like CapCut make it easy for anyone to "enhance" product demos. The editing tools that were once exclusive to pros are now in everyone’s hands.
• Algorithms Are Listening:
  Yes, your phone is listening. Algorithms target you based on behavior and even spoken keywords. Ever say “steamer” out loud and then see steamer ads? Same.
• How to Stay Smart with Ads:
  • Ask yourself: Why am I seeing this ad?
  • Watch ads with the sound off to better spot visual cuts or tricks.
  • Read the comments—people often expose shady edits or give honest feedback.
  • Vet UGC creators: Are they truly aligned with the product, or just cashing in?
  • Appreciate the good ones—some ads do help raise real awareness (shoutout Sensodyne!).
• The Bigger Picture:
  Ads aren’t inherently bad. In many cases, they raise awareness or help people discover products they genuinely need. The key is curiosity and critical thinking.

In this episode, I’m sharing a wild personal update (spoiler: it involves 15 stitches and a middle-of-the-night fall), followed by two unsponsored product reviews—one brutally honest take on a trending TikTok bra alternative, and a rave about my favorite organizing pouches. Then we dive into practical, easy-to-understand tips for choosing the right iPhone camera settings for high-quality content creation without overwhelming your storage or workflow.

Here's the outline and if you'd like to try out the Socialize Studio free for 7 days, CLICK HERE!

📱 Camera Settings Breakdown:

Default Recommended:
1080p HD at 30fps — Great balance of quality and manageable file size.
1080p HD at 60fps — Use if you plan to slow down footage; better quality slow-mo.
Avoid:
720p — Lower quality, only if desperate for storage space.
4K — Amazing quality, but huge files; only for pro projects or if exporting to big screens.
🎞️ Slow Motion Settings:

120fps vs. 240fps — Higher number = smoother slow-mo but needs more light.
Shoot in regular video and slow down in CapCut for more flexibility.
Avoid shooting slow-mo under fluorescent lights — causes flicker.
🎬 Cinematic Mode:

Shoots at 24fps in 4K with shallow depth of field — great for storytelling or stylized content.
Note: No zoom in this mode!
💡 Pro Tips:

Light is crucial for slow motion.
Be aware of local lighting systems when traveling (PAL vs NTSC frame rate differences).
Always shoot in the best quality you can afford in terms of data/storage.
You can always downscale, never upscale.