How to Make a Video Presentation of Yourself That Stands Out

Suppose you’re introducing yourself to a new team, making educational videos pitching a project to stakeholders, or applying for your dream job. In that case, your video needs to a) grab attention and b) keep the users engaged.

In most cases, just showing up and talking won’t cut it. We are in the era of TikTok and next-level visual effects, so to stand out you need to step up.

But what exactly makes a video presentation stand out in the sea of dozens of faces? Let’s see some best practices and tools you can try:

How to Make a Video Presentation of Yourself in 4 Steps

Let’s see how you can record, edit, and deliver your self-tapped video recording in four steps.

Step 1: Prep Work

Improvising is great for comedy, but not for video recordings, if you aren’t a pro.

So, to make sure you don’t go mute or record yourself 24 hours instead of 30 minutes, you need to prepare.

Write down everything you want to say as concisely as possible. Kill your darlings, and say the most important things first. Once you have your brief ready, read it out loud to see how natural it sounds, how fast/slow you need to talk, and if everything makes sense.

Practice in the mirror to get comfortable with your own face and voice.

Step 2: Plan the Setup

Your video presentation of yourself needs to be visually appealing and show you in the best light possible. Think about your camera presence, background, clothes, body language,  eye contact, frame, light, etc. 

1. Camera presence: Feel comfortable 
2. Background: Clean and plan so the focus is on you
3. Light: Daylight, you need to be clearly visible
4. Eye contact: Look directly in the camera and don’t swerve away
5. Frame: Be in the center of the frame without too much room on the left/right
6. Body language: Hand and body movements should be in sync with the speech

The setup is easily overlooked, but they do have a big effect on your the message will be perceived and how engaging and in synch the video will be.

Here is a quick checklist before you start:

Step 3: Record

You can use your computer’s built-in tools to record yourself or use online software.

On Mac, use the Photo Booth app, on Windows use the webcam recorder. If you need more features such as recording yourself and the screen, pausing while recording, or editing you can use apps such as Loom.

Make sure you have everything set up before you start recording. Don’t worry if it takes you a couple of times, nobody is a pro right away.

Step 4: Make it Fun

Once you get raw footage it is time to get creative. Use video editors to add special effects, titles, or extra elements to your video presentation of yourself. 

With AKOOL you can make custom backgrounds that fit any brand’s visuals. To make it more playful, you can swap your face with a celebrity or any other person and add it to your video:

You can also use AKOOL to translate your video into multiple languages, imagine what a positive after feel that would leave if the viewer has a different mother tongue than you.

If you are camera shy and the thought of a video presentation of yourself makes you sweat, don’t worry. With our AI talking avatar you don’t need to break a sweat to make an interactive video presentation.

Give AKOOL your text and image and it will create your personal AI avatar that will deliver your speech in ten minutes.

Tips on Making a Standout Video Presentation

1. Use a Clear, Structured Narrative

Start with a brief introduction of who you are and what you're about. Follow this with the core message or content you want to share, then wrap it up with a clear conclusion or call to action.

Why it works: A clear narrative keeps the viewer’s attention. People are more likely to stay engaged when there’s a logical flow, making it easier for them to follow and remember what you’ve shared.

2. Incorporate Visuals and Movement

Don’t just talk at the camera, use visual aids (slides, images, graphs, AI avatars) or include action shots (if relevant). You can also incorporate light movements (like hand gestures) to emphasize key points or create a dynamic scene.

Why it works: The human brain responds to visuals, and mixing them with your verbal message helps keep things interesting. Movement, whether it’s physical or in the form of visuals, can maintain attention and underscore your enthusiasm.

3. Engage with Your Audience (Even if It’s Just a Camera)

Act as if you were speaking directly to someone, maintain eye contact with the camera, speak with emotion, and ask rhetorical questions to make the viewer feel involved.

Why it works: When you make the viewer feel like you’re talking directly to them, it becomes a more personal experience. This creates a sense of connection, making the presentation more engaging and relatable.

Try out AKOOL and make your video presentation of yourself stand out from the crowd, while you don’t spend hours recording and editing.