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How to Be Confident As an SME (Subject Matter Expert)?

Originally published on medium.com

Whether you want to know how to be a confident presenter when recording your own eLearning videos or need to train your subject matter experts (SMEs) to be confident, we have some good tips for you. Keep these in mind, and you will not only improve your on-screen presence, but you will also learn how to be confident as an SME.

#1. Prepare

One of the most important things to do is prepare. Importantly, this doesn’t mean writing out a complete script and memorizing it. In fact, you shouldn’t do that. Instead, preparing means coming up with a few main points that you want to cover in the video.

Ideally, you’ll have three main points, and it will take about 10 minutes to cover. This method will help you seem more natural on the camera.

#2. Let the SME Present However They Feel Most Comfortable

One of the most important parts of how to be confident as an SME is being able to present how you want. So, listen to your SMEs and let them use the tools and video type they prefer. Maybe your SME loves being in front of the camera and showing their face, or maybe they hate it. Choose a video type that fits their preference.

This also extends to materials. If they need a teleprompter or poster with their main points written on it, provide it. If they need a PowerPoint, let them use it. You are here to give your SMEs the tools they need to be confident.

#3. Reflect and Review

As with anything else you create, you want to take the time to review it. And when recording eLearning videos, this will also add to your confidence and the quality of your videos. This means recording a video ahead of time and then watching it back before you do the final recording(s). This lets you see how you are doing and feel more confident. It also lets you make minor tweaks where you need to.

#4. Get Feedback from Learners

The best presenters will welcome feedback from their learners. You have to start somewhere, and your learners are some of the best people to give you insight into what’s going well and what should change. After all, you want the video to appeal to them.

#5. Embrace the 85% Rule

One of the most important parts of how to be a confident presenter is embracing the 85% rule. This rule says that it will take just as long to create the final 15% of something as it did the first 85%. So, you can just make the first 85% instead of striving for perfection, and you will cut your time in half. The key here is accepting that it doesn’t have to be perfect. You just have to go for it and start recording.

Conclusion

Becoming a better eLearning presenter involves preparing, choosing the type of video that makes you most comfortable, reviewing the video, getting feedback, and following the 85% rule. Keep these tips in mind as you train your SMEs or record videos where you are the SME.

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