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This year we have moved away from in person meetings to hosting virtual meetings with video calls on platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet and Skype.
While you may be happy that you no longer have to travel to the office, or a client meeting – that doesn’t mean that you can slack off when it comes to showing up or preparing for a video call.
One of the biggest complaints that people have about video calls is that they feel much less personal– they feel like their message gets lost. Well, these fears aren’t wrong. A lot of what you say while on a video call can get lost in translation, especially if your video is low quality. Light, background noise and other distractions can all take away from what you are trying to say on a video call.
Here are some tips for making sure you are set up for success in your next video call.
Prep-ing your Space for Your Video Call:
- Natural light makes everyone look good on camera, so aim to take the call in a space with natural light. Overhead lighting can cause shadows on your face that will be distracting.
- Choose a space with a tidy, neutral backdrop. (e.g a styled bookshelf) Shooting against a patterned or boldly coloured wall will draw attention away from your face and your message. A blank wall can work, however adding depth to your shot is always a good idea.
- Make sure your space is tidy and presentable. Avoid messy surfaces or cluttered areas in the background to reduce on-screen distractions.
- Capture your video on a day when you know your space will be quiet for the duration of the video.
Prep-ing Yourself for Your Video Call:
- When choosing what to wear for your video call, select a shirt or blouse in a solid colour. Neutrals tend to work best, but we suggest selecting a colour that compliments your skin tone. Avoid completely black or white garments when possible – and never wear tops that are overly patterned, have giant brand logos or other writing on them– unless it’s your brand or logo!
- Wear something that you are comfortable in, but still conveys your brand voice.
- Test sound and video quality of your device to make sure it’s quiet in your space & there isn’t an echo
Prep-ing the Shot:
- Position yourself so there’s a light source (e.g. window) in front of you and a tidy background behind you.
- Ensure you are at eye level with your computer’s camera; you can adjust the computer height by setting it on stacked books if needed.
- Position yourself in the middle of the frame.
- Always look directly into the camera – NOT at yourself on the screen. It can be easy to forget, so consider putting a sticker by the camera lens as a reminder – fix to talk about connection and not looking at yourself.
It looks like the majority of our meetings will be virtual for the foreseeable future. Make sure you are putting your best [virtual] foot forward by knowing how to set up your space and yourself for success.
Want more tips? Give us a follow on Instagram or get in touch and we’d be happy to chat!
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