By Robin Reuben, Director of Operations
Sometimes learning the nuances of presenting ourselves and our ideas in virtual meetings gets overlooked. After all, looking good on Zoom often comes after the scramble to uncover new solutions for our post-COVID meetings and virtual events, but we’ve also been busy reinventing our remote work environments… No pressure!
In the course of these business and lifestyle changes, I have taken a couple of different trainings on how to present myself online, and of course what I learned is that I was doing it all wrong. I’m going to summarize my top takeaways for my network and friends because, let’s be real… it’s ok to skip to the cliffs notes on this topic, we have enough on our plates.
What’s best for your virtual backdrop?
The view in behind you should be welcoming but uncluttered. Not stark like a prison cell or a blank wall but not so full of things that it would be distracting to others. Also, be sure not to put yourself in a corner setting – it gives off the impression of being “cornered.”
The biggest perk I have found in connecting with others in their homes is how much more we can learn about who people are in their lives, not just their offices or conference rooms. So save your fake zoom background for a particularly messy office day and embrace your space. Just modify it slightly to maximize engagement and minimize distraction.
A focus on appearance.
Yes, please wear clothing. Attire should depend on the audience. If you have a client or C-level presentation, be sure to dress the way you would in person.
In terms of colors, I have learned that solids work better on camera (blacks, purples, reds, corals, browns) versus patterns (of course, I looked in my closet and 95% of my clothing has a pattern). Busy patterns can be distracting to the viewer in a “screen to screen” setting.
Additionally, if you have a dark background, it’s good to wear a lighter color and vice versa to enhance contrast.
Most of all it’s important not to look sloppy.
Camera-ready lighting.
Good lighting makes you look available and helps you to express your energy, allowing you to genuinely connect with people which is extremely important in a virtual business environment.
While natural lighting is ideal, it can be inconsistent or too harsh (of course my home office is situated in front of a window). Think indirect light versus point-blank window in your face.
You do not want to have an overhead light (strike two for me) directly over your desk.
To really enhance your professional appearance, it helps to have a ring light that is adjustable (just purchased one) or you can include soft lamp lighting from the sides for an ambient effect.
Getting the best angles.
This seems to be an area where people run into issues. We’ve all seen it, we’ve all been it!
The camera should be at eye level. You may have to put your laptop on some books, a box, or an adjustable laptop stand to make sure it is at the correct height to properly engage eye-to-eye with others.
If the camera is posed so you’re looking down, that can be intimating to people. If the camera is looking up at you there may be some folks looking up your nose (needless to say not flattering).
You also want to sit a similar distance from the camera that you would be in a (pre-pandemic) face-to-face meeting. You don’t naturally sit 6 inches from someone else in a conversation, so give the camera a bit of space so that your torso is in full view without crowding your audience/conversation counterpart.
Mic check 1, 2, 1, 2…
Here’s what you need to know about your sound options…
There are 4 types of inputs — here they are listed in order of clarity:
⋅ Mic on your computer: Ambient sound
⋅ Headphones with a mic: Makes you sound closer
⋅ Air Pods: with a directional mic
⋅ Blue Yeti USB microphone: best, most professional sound quality) – set it up in front of you but out of view of the camera
Lastly, and deepest condolences to those of you who, like me, loved a good headset, it’s time to say goodbye. It will make you look dated.
Play with your options. Practice makes perfect.
Play around with your new (or maybe not so new) WFH environment, from background to sound and lighting. Turn on Zoom or WebEx and look from an audience member’s view to see how you and your setting look to others. Take the time to rehearse for presentations, paying attention to how you look and sound (vocal range, energy and passion are key). Record yourself. You have tools at your disposal in this moment that can really benefit long-term improvement of presentation, collaboration and communication skills – for the virtual world and for when we meet again face to face.
