J Hamel Solutions

Finding Your Confidence: Showing Up on Social Media

Why is it Necessary to Show Your Face? 

Clients regularly tell me that after they were referred to me, they looked at my socials and felt they had a good idea of who I was. “I feel like I already know you, and can trust you to listen to what I need,” a new client said during our recent discovery call. This made the sales process much easier!

Showing your face is important not only for potential clients but also for your existing followers. “Concerns around AI” feature at the top of Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends 2024 report. What better way to establish an authentic connection than by presenting your genuine self? It’s about being real—no AI-generated personas or using generic AI words. Just you, showing yourself.

There are exceptions to the rule. One of my clients is a large regional nonprofit that works with children, and we show them participating in the programs and having fun. Another client is focused on one particular app. For now, we’re prioritizing a faceless strategy at her request. 

Apart from these exceptions, I encourage my clients to show up and allow their followers to start forming that vital connection, laying the foundation for a strong relationship (and sales!).

Show Your Face on Social Media: Step by Step

There are several levels of “showing your face” on your Instagram business, or other social me I like to think of each as a step on a ladder, and encourage your to identify where your comfort zone is right now, and then to start experimenting with the next step: 

1. Use photos
2. Show yourself in B-Roll
3. Make a voiceover reel
4. Show up in stories
5. Speak directly to camera in an edited reel
6. Host an Instagram live

Let’s look at each step and how to progress to the next!

1. Use Photos

If you have brand photos or are comfortable taking photos, go ahead and use them! You can add text to the photo or rely solely on your caption.  If you want to get extra fancy, you can use a background remover tool and play around with that. 

One word of caution here: if you’re not confident with photos, or don’t feel like you have good ones, don’t spend a lot of time here. The skill of taking good photos (especially selfies!) isn’t entirely transferable to video, which is our goal here. Don’t get hung up on this step. 

2. Show Yourself in B-Roll

B-Roll is background footage that isn’t the main action. You’ve seen these types of reels: someone sitting at a computer, drinking coffee, or even applying sunblock! It can be related to the topic of the reel, but doesn’t have to be. 

To use it in a reel, show the footage and add text overtop. It’s a way to share a powerful message or a longer text. 

Progression: 

1. Record something that feels more neutral: your hands typing, feet walking, your arm/hand pouring coffee, putting on shoes. 
2. Next, record yourself doing an activity such as working at a computer, attending a meeting, or doing your work. Other examples are: at the cash register, restocking a shelf, driving, or a zoom meeting. It can help to record yourself using a timelapse video. The faster motion can feel less exposed. I often use a frame interval of 0.5 seconds, which is a speed of 15x.  
3. Then, try it without the timelapse. Find good lighting and hit record! Ensure your finished reel doesn’t include you turning the camera on and off.

3. Make a Voice-Over Reel

Here, you have some relevant footage and literally record your voice over top of it. This is a great way to start getting used to hearing yourself recorded. No, your voice isn’t weird. It’s not off-putting. You’re just not used to it. 

For a quick tutorial on how to do voiceovers, check out this reel.  

4. Show up in Stories with a Clear Purpose

Stories are a great time to do what’s scary to you. Fewer people typically  see a story, so you can slowly build up your confidence. Also, they’ll be gone in 24 hours! 

A few tips:

• Start right in as if you’re continuing a conversation
• Get straight to the point. Avoid greeting everyone, saying what day or time it is, or any other introductory material. 
• Picture one specific person that you’re talking to and address them directly.
• Plan what you want to tell that one person. I often pretend they asked me a question.
• Breathe in, tap record, and start talking! 
• Finally, tap the sticker button and add captions. 
• Yes it’s going to be cringey. But only to you. 

via GIPHY

5. Speak Direct to Camera in an Edited Reel

I highly recommend using an outside app for editing. Personally, I use canva on my computer, but folks also really like capcut. 

Begin by outlining the major points you want to cover. While a scripted approach isn’t necessary, clarity about your message is essential. I write out my hook, 3 main points, and my call to action (CTA). 

Record each point as separate, short videos. Then, import them into the editor, trim the beginning and end, and remove any pauses or stumbles. Limit yourself to two takes per segment to combat perfectionism.

After uploading to Instagram, add captions like you did in stories, write your caption, and hit post!

6. Host an Instagram Live

Consider this step when you feel ready, but don’t rush it. Live sessions can be powerful but intimidating—there’s no rush to tackle them right away.

Take Action and Level Up

So where are you at today? Just like progressing from using bodyweight for squats to eventually lifting barbells at the gym, your social media skills need to progress over time.

Wherever you currently stand, identify your next step and embrace the relationships that form as you gradually show up more authentically. Soon you’ll talk to your audience directly and notice your online presence flourish!

Want More? If this was useful, check out Authentic Marketing: How to Show Up Online as Your True Self next! It’s filled concrete steps and practical steps on how to promote yourself without feeling so icky about it.