Coming out of your shell.

It might have helped me a bit with my introversion (that I just can't get rid of especially outside of the internet) but most important Youtube and using the Internet in general helped me with my English, since I am not a native speaker. People ask me if I've been to the UK or similar, but the only foreign country I've been to is Switzerland (in the Italian part, heh).
I am also surprised when people say they enjoy my accent because come on, how can you like someone who mangles English like me?
 
Yeah I can totally agree on everything you said. I also have some shyness problems, I mean I can speak with people a lot but only if the others make the first move (otherwise I have no idea on how to start a conversation, weird isn't it?).
Anyway Youtube is great for helping in this and I also can feel the difference between my first video and now (despite I still have some problems with my voice, I think it's a bit too light or not deep enough). I know that a lot of people have problems about liking their own voice because it's a matter of how we think to sound and how actually we sound ( a lot depends on the voice bouncing in our skulls).
I decided that I want to believe more in myself, because if you don't believe in yourself others will never do that and the only way to believe is to liking what you are doing and being proud of everything!
 
The phrase "coming out of your shell" has always bothered me subtly. It implies (to me anyway) that you're not really you, and not really a fully capable human being, until you do. While I've definitely become more outspoken over the years, I stand by my earlier shy self as a totally awesome person. Sometimes I have to remind myself to channel that shy person again, to think before I speak, as it's a valuable skill.

/tangent

Shy people are great, introversion is not a flaw, and while yes on YouTube being outgoing can be more attention-getting, as long as you jump cut through the umms and the pauses, shyness doesn't have to be an issue. Be your awesome self. :)
 
Oh, I think it's so true that you have to let go and be yourself in order to really connect with people on YouTube. My first few videos, I was very concerned with not seeming too flighty or "light," so I lowered my voice and had absolutely no personality. It's almost like I was filming a hostage video of myself! Now I feel much more relaxed and myself, and people seem to relate well to me and what I have to say.

Then again, the puppets really help to make sure I have some sort of character. That's a bit of a cheat sometimes, though, because I don't even need to appear on camera when I'm playing any of them.
 
That's why I'm starting YouTube. I'm trying to learn how to relax in front of the camera and sound confident when I speak. I only started a few weeks ago, but I'm noticing myself not stuttering as much and feeling comfortable with hearing myself talk. Hopefully with time I'll get even better!
 
This is such a great discussion! "Coming out of your shell" has never been a phrase I've identified with. To be honest with you, I've spent a great deal of time just trying to go unnoticed. When I finally decided to sit down and record my first YouTube video, I was SO nervous. I tried to mentally look at the facts: I could just delete the footage if I didn't like it and no one would ever see it, etc. But quite honestly, I think creators on YouTube are meant to be a bit awkward and a little introverted. That's what makes them real. It's vital that you give your viewers a platform on which they can relate to you. Otherwise, you're just another cookie-cutter idiot on the internet. I've found myself bored with the YouTubers who try to project themselves as perfect.
 
This is exactly what I am dealing with this week!! I saw it in my videos for this week and it has only made me excited about filming my videos for next week!! I have a crazy personality and people better look out!! Thank you for bring this topic up!!


 
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