How Journalists can Build Stronger Audience Connections

 I was delivering news about a family who’d lost everything in a fire. The community had rallied together, donations were pouring in, it was a powerful story of hope… and I looked like I was reading a grocery list. Watching my air check later that day, I cringed. My hands were frozen at my sides, my voice stayed at the exact same pitch, and despite FEELING deeply moved by this family’s story… none of that came through on camera. That’s when it hit me: by trying to appear “professional” and contain my natural expressions, I was actually undermining the very connection I was trying to create. Sound familiar? The camera is rolling, your audience (virtual, media whatever) is waiting, and suddenly, you feel exposed. You try to make yourself smaller, more controlled, more “professional”… and end up looking disconnected instead. You’re not alone. After years in the news industry and now coaching professionals, I’ve seen how the pressure of being on camera makes us fall into common pitfalls. Let’s break them down - and fix them: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 Many people slouch or lean back, appearing disinterested or unprepared. Instead: Sit up straight and lean slightly forward. This simple shift shows engagement and conveys confidence. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 That temptation to check yourself on screen? It signals insecurity. Instead: Look directly at the camera lens. This creates the eye contact your audience craves. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 Nervous movements like tapping fingers or adjusting hair can distract from your message. Instead: Use purposeful gestures that emphasize your points, then let your hands rest. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 A flat tone can make even exciting content feel dull. Instead: Vary your pitch and speed. Use pauses. Let your natural enthusiasm shine through. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 Poor lighting can cast unflattering shadows. Instead: Position yourself so light falls evenly across your face, preferably using natural light. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 A cluttered backdrop distracts from your message. Instead: Choose a clean, neutral background that enhances your professional image. (Weird truth... people like books and/or plants in the background. Apparently it makes you look smarter and more credible) Here’s the truth: On-camera presence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being authentically you while communicating clearly and confidently. I went from that news reporter who looked disconnected on camera to helping professionals command attention in their virtual presentations. The difference? Understanding that true authority comes from embracing your natural expression, not suppressing it. Ready to transform your on-camera presence? Book a Camera Confidence Call with me. Let’s turn those awkward video moments into opportunities to shine. Link in comments. Which of these challenges resonates most with you?

5 things that will transform the way you connect—on camera, in meetings, and in real life. After 12 years in journalism, I’ve learned that connection has less to do with how well you speak—and more to do with how well you see the person in front of you. Whether I’m leading a podcast interview, navigating a hard conversation, or just catching up with a friend, these five habits have made every interaction deeper, clearer, and more human. My five game-changing interview strategies that work beyond journalism: - Listen beyond words - Body language and pauses reveal more than perfect answers ever will - Embrace the awkward pause - Count to five after they answer. The magic happens in that silence - Ask open-ended questions - "How did that make you feel?" beats "Were you sad?" every time - Watch for emotional cues - Fidgeting, voice changes, and hesitation tell the real story - Practice emotional breadcrumbing - Reference something meaningful from their past that shows you truly see them The most transformative technique? Finding that Instagram post from three years ago about something deeply personal that never made headlines. When you show someone you've done real research into what matters to them, walls come down instantly. These skills revolutionized my podcast conversations and everyday interactions. Whether you're leading a team meeting, having a difficult conversation with a partner, or building new relationships, better questions create deeper connections. Study the masters: Oprah for emotional intelligence, Terry Gross for elegant questioning, Jon Stewart for navigating sensitive topics with empathy and humor. The goal isn't just better interviews—it's becoming someone people feel truly heard by.

Today I published a paper with the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School about what journalists can learn from the online content creators who engage in journalist-style work and are building huge, loyal audiences that eclipse those of traditional media. I argue that the shift in attention can be attributed, in part, to the different types of relationships that journalists and creators have with their audiences. I describe those relationships through the lens of the three elements of trustworthiness — ability, benevolence, and integrity — that must be present for trust to exist in a relationship. What I found was that individual creators often worked hard to demonstrate ability, benevolence, and integrity to build trust with their audiences. They narrate their expertise, respond to reader questions or suggestions, and interact with their critics — all tactics that help build trust. News institutions have put less effort into building trustworthy relationships with audiences. They have cut back on comment sections, public editors, and other forms of interaction with the public. This does not mean that journalists are inherently less trustworthy. They often have rigorous internal processes for verifying information, but those are rarely exposed to the public. In other words, journalism has placed many markers of trust in institutional processes that are opaque to audiences, while creators try to embed the markers of trust directly in their interactions with audiences. My hope is that we can learn from creators about new ways to build trust with audiences. https://lnkd.in/eB-3ZRi8