Why Recording Your Course Videos Will Make You Question Everything About Yourself (And why that’s exactly what needs to happen)

You’ve mapped out your course, you know your stuff inside out, and you're passionate about helping others learn. Then the moment arrives, you hit record, and suddenly, the whole thing goes sideways.

Your voice sounds weird. Your face does things you never noticed before. You forget how to speak English.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever tried recording your online course videos and ended up in a puddle of self-doubt and second-guessing, you are not alone. Every course creator I’ve worked with, including myself, hits these same emotional speed bumps.

But there’s good news: it’s all part of the process. These five brutally honest stages are precisely what most people go through. And once you push through them? That’s where the magic happens.

Let’s break them down...

Stage 1: The Overconfidence Phase – “This’ll Be Easy!”

You’ve used Zoom. You talk to people all the time. You’ve even explained your course content to friends over coffee.
So you think, “How hard can recording a video be?”

Then the red recording light comes on, and…

• You forget what you were saying mid-sentence.

• You suddenly sound like a cartoon mouse.

• You start sweating in places you didn’t know could sweat.

Why does this happen?

Recording a video feels different from having a conversation. You don’t get nods, smiles, or laughs in return, and your brain hates that. So it panics.

How to push through:

• Speak like you’re explaining the topic to a mate down the pub.

• Ditch the script; use bullet points instead.

• Record a few “throwaway” takes to warm up.

Pro tip: Done is better than perfect. Nobody ever changed lives with a perfectly polished take they never recorded.

Stage 2: The Existential Crisis – “Wait... Is That My Voice?!”

You play back your first video. It’s not bad… until you hear yourself.

• “Why do I sound so nasal?”

• “Do I always talk that fast?”

• “Surely my voice isn’t that voice?”

Why does this happen?

We hear ourselves through bone conduction. Your recorded voice is how the rest of the world hears you. No wonder it feels like meeting a stranger.

How to push through:

Accept the weirdness. Everyone thinks their voice is awful at first.

• Speak slower and pause more. It helps with clarity and editing.

• Focus on your message, not your microphone.

Spoiler: That voice you hate? It’s the same one your students will learn to trust.

Stage 3: The Hyper-Self-Awareness Spiral – “Why Do I Blink So Much?!”

Once your ears adjust, your eyes start to protest.

• “Why am I blinking like I’ve got dust in both eyes?”

• “Do I always wave my hands that much?”

• “My face does that when I think?”

Why does this happen?

You’re used to seeing your face in the mirror, reversed and still. Playback gives you a full-on front-row seat to your real-time expressions. And your brain does not like the mismatch.

How to push through:

Watch without judging. Don’t pick yourself apart.

• Find your rhythm: Are you too stiff? Too fidgety? Adjust slowly.

• Keep a gentle smile; it softens everything, including you.

You’re not auditioning for the BBC. You’re building trust. Slightly awkward is still wonderfully human.

Stage 4: The 100 Takes Phase – “Why Can’t I Say This One Sentence?!”

By now, you’re semi-comfortable on camera… but now your mouth won't cooperate.

• You say “umm” a dozen times.

• You restart… again.

• You blink, stammer, sigh, and forget your line... again.

Why does this happen?

The pressure to “nail it” actually prevents you from nailing it. Overthinking trips your tongue.

How to push through:

• Embrace the mess. It’s fixable in editing.

• Record in chunks. If you fumble, pause, breathe, and continue.

• Practice speaking your content without recording first.

You’re not trying to win a BAFTA. You’re helping someone learn. That’s the real goal.

 

Stage 5: The Acceptance Phase – “You Know What? I’ve Got This.”

At some point, and it’s different for everyone, you’ll feel a shift.

You stop trying so hard.
You start sounding like yourself.
You finally say: “It’s not perfect… but it’s pretty darn good.”

Why does this happen?

You’ve built muscle memory. You’re no longer fighting the format. You’re flowing with it.

How to keep growing:

• Keep recording. It only gets easier.

• Rewatch old takes, not to cringe, but to see progress.

• Shift your focus: it’s about the learner, not your lighting.

Final Thought: The Gift Inside the Awkwardness

Recording your course will prompt you to reflect on aspects of yourself, including your voice, quirks, and confidence.

But here’s the truth: it’s not a crisis. Its growth.
You’re stepping into a new role, not just as a teacher, but as a guide.
And guides don’t need to be perfect. They need to care.

So keep showing up.
Keep pressing record.
And remember: every awkward moment on camera is one step closer to the person your students are waiting to learn from.

Need help making your course camera-ready?

We help course creators and coaches craft confident, clear, high-impact video lessons, without the overwhelm.

Let’s chat if you need help with course structure, script preparation, or a video strategy that won’t make you want to hide under your desk.

Author. Cheryl Gregory