In this episode, we dive into the world of storytelling with video storyteller, Felicia Yap. Felicia offers invaluable advice and insights about harnessing stories and leveraging them to connect with others, convey important lessons, and differentiate oneself in a crowded space.

Felicia Yap is a video storyteller, author, and mom of three. For the past 20 plus years, Felicia has worked on screen and behind the camera to help a whole gamut of story-makers share their unique message with the world. Now, she’s giving you the tools and support to shine in your own video content. 

Her love of storytelling has been the driving force behind her career as a TV news anchor, morning show co-host, reporter, videographer, producer, and weather specialist for CTV – one of Canada’s largest news networks. After becoming a mom she decided to shift her focus to creating digital content. She started growing her social media experience by building a following of more than 11,000 on her DIY YouTube channel, Most Delightful Way. 

When she realized video storytelling makes her heart sing, Felicia founded her company, Reel Awesome Productions in 2020 to help big-hearted business owners and organizations look, sound and feel confident on camera. While her work as a journalist earned her a 2012 regional RTDNA Adrienne Clarkson Award for Hundred, a video feature about centenarians in Nova Scotia, Felicia will tell you she’s most proud of being a mom to her three kids and publishing her book, Don’t Stay a Secret: Grow Your Confidence Creating Videos That Get Views, in 2022. 

Listen in as we talk about:

[3:05] What led Felicia to become a video confidence coach

[10:05] Felicia’s story of becoming a mother

[11:50] Why your story is so powerful in creating connection and separating you from the crowd as a leader

[13:30] How to tell your story

[28:50] How do you deal with self-criticism

[30:20] How much of your life should you share online

[33:20] Should we shoot videos in landscape or portrait?

[35:10] Felicia’s favorite teacher

[39:20] What Felicia is most proud of 

[41:10] Felicia answers some rapid fire questions

[44:00] Felicia’s words of wisdom 

“If you choose not to share your story or message, you’re denying those who truly need to hear you and whom you can positively impact.”

In exploring the significance of personal stories, Felicia delves into the power of individual narratives in creating meaningful connections and establishing leadership in a specific field. She emphasizes the uniqueness inherent in each person’s experiences, calling it their “fingerprint story.” She contends that even if individuals share similar services or products, their distinct stories set them apart. This uniqueness becomes a crucial factor in resonating with others and differentiating oneself from the crowd. Felicia describes how sharing her story has allowed her to connect with a diverse audience, which has led to new video confidence coaching clients and opportunities to be a speaker at conferences.

The essence of Felicia’s perspective lies in the individuality of personal narratives, underscoring the unparalleled value of one’s story in forging connections and professional opportunities. Personal storytelling has a transformative power where authenticity and uniqueness elevate individuals as leaders in their respective spaces.

In the pursuit of effective storytelling, Felicia encourages us to reflect on the pivotal moments that have shaped our journeys. Felicia breaks down the concept of the “fingerprint story” and its potential to spark ideas. She prompts people to think about a time in their lives when they were fired, tired, or inspired. These instances can serve as the core of one’s narrative.The transformative power of these moments becomes evident when others notice a change in you, before and after a big pivot. The underlying message is clear: sharing your story is not just a personal act, but it holds the potential to impact others. 

Felicia advises aligning storytelling choices with desired outcomes. For example, she shares her own story as a busy mother of three and how she finds creative ways to show up on video in a way that fits with her busy day-to-day life. This story and the insights it contains could resonate with a target audience, particularly if it included fellow mothers! Tailoring narratives to make them relevant to the intended audience is an important principle applicable in various contexts, including video storytelling, speaking at an event, and in teaching. 

“Make it happen and keep it simple. That’s how you create your videos. Don’t get overwhelmed, just keep it simple.”

Overthinking things is a common block for people when it comes to showing up on video. Felicia’s advice is to keep it simple. You don’t need to have all of the fancy equipment including DSLR cameras and lighting. Our cell phones are so powerful and easy to use. All you need to do is to hit record to start creating content that you can then share. The best lighting in the world is the sun! The bigger the light source the more flattering it is. 

Other common blocks for people include not feeling comfortable with how they look on camera and not knowing what to say and how to say it. A ring light and cream make up versus powder makeup can help us feel more confident in how we look especially as we get older. Before you shoot a video, come up with a three point outline. You don’t need a detailed script but making a plan in advance will prevent you from going off on a tangent. 

Felicia shares that video confidence is like flexing a muscle. The more you do it the better you get. When Felicia looks back at the time when she started her video journey, 20 years ago, she wasn’t very good. She didn’t have the confidence that she does today. Practice and repetition will help you to become more comfortable. Your first video doesn’t have to be perfect. It is about taking that first step and getting your video made and out there. Even if you don’t post your first few videos, you will slowly but surely feel more comfortable seeing and hearing yourself on video. If you don’t share your story and you don’t share your message, you are denying people the opportunity to hear from you and to be positively impacted by you and your story. 

• What is something that you would love to learn about or something that you would love to learn how to do? Hip hop dance or K-pop dance
  
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  What is a place that is at the top of your travel bucket list? Hawaii

  
  
  
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  What is a book, podcast, or TV show that you have enjoyed recently Book: You Are the Brand by Mike Kim

  
  
  
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  If you could sit down and have a conversation with someone that you would love to learn from, who would it be? Her dad

  
  
  

Connect with Felicia:

• Website: https://reelawesome.com
  
• Instagram: @reelawesomeproductions 
  
• Facebook: @reelawesome
  
• LinkedIn: Felicia Yap 
  
• TikTok: @reelawesomeproductions 
  
• You Tube: Most Delightful Way
  
• Book: Don’t Stay a Secret: Grow Your Confidence Creating Videos That Get Views
  

Connect with Tiana:

• Website: https://tianafech.com
  
• LinkedIn: Tiana Fech
  
• Instagram: @tianafech 
  
• Facebook: @tianafech 
  
• Book: Online Course Creation 101: A step-by-step guide to creating your first online course