Show Human Error
Being wrong on camera makes you a relatable conduit and lets the expert shine.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 2
- Confidence
- 80%
Fulmer describes deliberately showing human error to make content more relatable, even reframing the awkward tip as 'an inauthentic way of saying authentic' but agreeing it's true. Despite being Yale-educated and capable, he chooses to be wrong on camera because not being good at things often makes the video better. Saying the wrong answer, even when he knows the right one, lets the on-screen expert look good and lets him serve as a conduit for the viewer who is learning. He parks his 'theory brain' and lets himself make bad decisions for the sake of stronger content. It's a conscious performance choice rather than genuine incompetence.
Origin
Fulmer, an Ivy League graduate, realized on camera that displaying competence was less effective for the content than modeling the viewer's own learning process through visible mistakes.
Core principles
- 01Not being good at things on camera is often better for the video than being polished.
- 02Saying the wrong answer lets the expert look good and lets you be a conduit for the viewer.
- 03Deliberate imperfection is a content choice, not a lack of ability.
- 04Relatability comes from visible human error, not flawless performance.
How to run it
- 1
Let the expert be right
Even when you know the answer, hold back so the on-screen expert can look good and carry the authority.
- 2
Be the viewer's conduit
Voice the wrong guesses and confusion the audience might have so they learn alongside you and feel represented on screen.
Pro tip Park your 'theory brain' and let yourself make the bad decision on camera — save the nerdy analysis for other formats.
Watch out This is a deliberate content choice, not actual incompetence; keep it purposeful.
In the wild
Fulmer, who knows the answer, will intentionally give the wrong one on camera during an expert-led video.
→ The expert gets to look good and the viewer learns through Fulmer as a relatable conduit, making the content stronger.
Common mistakes
Performing polish
Appearing smart and competent on camera reads as robotic and inauthentic, reducing the relatability that drives connection.
Is it for you?
Best for
Presenters and hosts in educational, reaction, or learning-with-an-expert formats.
Not ideal for
Contexts where audiences need the host to be the credible authority.
From the transcript
“even if i know the answer to something saying the wrong answer is better for the content because it lets the expert look good and…”
“oftentimes not being good at things is better for the video”
From the episode
Ned Fulmer: How to Go Viral on YouTube
Ned Fulmer