“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightning to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful lot of work. All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself. “
Some days, the genius gremlin shows up.
Other days? Your genius gremlin is off playing pickleball.
Before the Renaissance, creative folks believed inspiration came from outside themselves—a muse, a spirit, a genius gremlin who might show up and lend a hand… or not. Then the Renaissance hit, and we decided the genius lived inside us. Which sounds great—until you’re stuck staring at a camera with no plan, no script, and a creeping sense of dread.
What does this have to do with video? Everything.
At Idea Decanter, we coach financial advisors (and other camera-anxious humans) through their video shoots—not because they can’t do it, but because they shouldn’t have to do it alone.
You don’t need to be “naturally talented.” You just need to show up. That’s when the magic (and the gremlin) tends to appear.
We’re not expecting brilliance from within. That’s why you’ve got a Kit Coach.
Sound Like You (Because That’s the Point)
Here’s the thing: your dialect, your accent, your “I sound weird on video” voice? That’s your secret sauce. Whether it’s Southern twang, Midwest nice, or your second language—it’s not a flaw. It’s flavor.
We’ve had clients record videos in Spanish because that’s how their audience hears them best. We’ve worked with people who were self-conscious about their accent—only to find out it was actually their superpower.
Perfect is boring. AI is boring. Homogeneity is boring. You? You’re not boring. Let us prove it.
Let the Words Do the Lifting
Feeling monotone? That’s often what happens when you’re listening to yourself instead of connecting with your message.
Instead:
- Highlight the words that matter.
- Push into them.
- Bring emotion, like you’re reading a bedtime story.
Put the movement in your text—not your head.
Before You Hit Record: Touch the Bottom of the Pool
You know that feeling when you dive underwater and tap the bottom before swimming back up? That’s the reset you need before filming.
We’re not asking for 30 minutes of Zen. Just five quiet minutes.
- Look at a piece of art.
- Breathe.
- Step away from your inbox.
Ground yourself—then record.
Trying to go straight from client calls to camera with no transition? That’s not fair to you—or your gremlin.
Show Up. Be Seen. Let It Be Messy.
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to sound like anyone but you. And no—you absolutely do not need to watch your video ten times trying to figure out why you “look weird.” (Spoiler: you don’t.)
Your audience doesn’t want a robot. They want a real human. They want you—quirks, color, and all.
If your voice cracks or you mess up a line, we call that “personality.” And guess what? People trust personality.
So go ahead. Show up. It’s the best way to coax your Genius Gremlin out of hiding … or off the pickleball court!
