One of my clients once had a moment of horror while watching a video.

Fortunately, it was only a practice session. And we were able to talk about her performance afterwards.

Videotaping ourselves practicing a speech or presentation can be a sobering experience. Most of us look forward to the event like Shakespeare's schoolboy, carrying his satchel and "creeping like snail unwillingly to school." Yet videotaping is a presentation tool par excellence. If nothing else, it raises our consciousness concerning the body and public speaking. (For more on this vital connection, download my free guide to "The Body Language Rules: 12 Ways to be a More Powerful Speaker.")

Yet videotaping does much more than just increase our awareness of good communication skills and effective presentations. It does two things that virtually no other practice tool of public speaking can accomplish. One is practically mystical, and the other just seems to be a mystery. Here they are:  

Ready for an Out-of-Body Experience?

First, let me describe more about the client who was horrified at seeing herself. I was conducting a group training in presentation skills for an educational institution. The participant I'm referring to was professional in every way, and exuded confidence. About a minute into her presentation, however, she began rubbing her belly absentmindedly. I'm sure all of us watching her practice presentation observed the gesture without much thought.

When the gesture was repeated a minute or two later, however, we began to pay attention. Here it came throughout the rest of the presentation, fairly regular and growing in fascination. By the five-minute remark, I had no idea what the presenter was saying; I was just waiting for the next belly-rub! And I'd bet a few dollars that every other person in the room had the same reaction.

This young woman's chagrin was only exceeded by her complete shock when viewing the videotape . . . she'd had no idea she performed this speaking ritual! (By then, we'd already established a pattern of viewing-and-feedback following everyone's speech, so I couldn't spare her embarrassment by suddenly not re-playing that particular DVD.)

Awkward as this situation was for her, it was a lesson she could hardly have learned as strongly otherwise. Even a colleague saying, "Did you know you rub your tummy?" wouldn't have had the same effect as her own "OMG . . . what am I doing?" Most of us too rarely get the opportunity of what I call the out-of-body experience of seeing ourselves on video. Visuals are not only seductive for audiences. They also bring home to us striking lessons of how others perceive us and respond to what we do, show, and say.

Ladies and Gentlemen, You May Now Pat Yourself on the Back

For all its shock-and-awe, however, videotaping one's presentation practice usually also provides a mysterious boost of confidence. I see it nearly every time I ask a client or trainee to view his or her video between sessions. Again, group workshops demonstrate the effect most clearly.

The corporate seminars I conduct are often two-day workshops, in which we discuss on the second day the practice presentations videotaped on Day One. I give each trainee the DVD of his or her presentation and ask them to watch it later that day or that evening.

"We'll talk about what you see on the tape tomorrow," I say.

Here, on each of the two days, is what the workshop participant almost always says in reply:

On Day One:  "Oh no . . . I don't want to see myself on tape!"

On Day Two:  "You know, it wasn't as bad as I thought. . ."

My ulterior motive in giving them the DVD to watch is precisely so that this reaction will occur. In fact, I'm counting on it. Most trainees in a presentation skills workshop realize they need improvement. Some don't think they'll achieve the results they need in just a two-day seminar. Watching themselves nearly always shows them they already have a lot going for them as presenters, and that it's a reasonable step for them to reach the next level.

So videotape your practice sessions as often as you can. It's one of the best tools ever invented for successful speaking.