Since the COVID-19 stay-at-home order has been in place across much of the globe, meetings online have become the norm.
But how do you look your best? Here are some tips that can help you maximize your online virtual meeting experience.
Dress to Impress
This holds true in virtual meetings or in person. So take a shower, get ready.
Help your audience see you for the professional you are. This may not be your first impression, but what if it was your last? What if it’s recorded? Dress as you want to be remembered.
Next up…. now that you are ready to be seen – we need to be sure you are project the best, most clear picture possible.
That involves 3 major things: light, clarity and perspective. We achieve this trilogy through the following easy to obtain items.
Equipment
Now this is where the magic happens. These are some simple pieces of equipment that can be used during the call and easily stored away when you are not.
Background:
What’s behind you right now? Unfolded laundry handing on the gym equipment? The kitchen with breakfast dishes still at the bar?
When it comes to back ground less is better. Will a blank wall work? Yes. It is a great start. If you REALLY want to project your best try a green screen in combination with the right lighting.
Green Screen: I use the green screen, in fact I prefer 2 side by side. I talk with my hands and have long arms so I like the flexibility 2 green screens provides. It lets me stay natural on camera with my normal flow of movements.
Green screen x 2 https://amzn.to/2Kek6UB
Be Seen: Light the eyes. Over 90% of what you say is picked up in your NONVERBAL cues. A large part of that is your eyes. So light the face. After all the whole reason you are meeting virtually is to be SEEN! Otherwise you would just be on a phone call.
Hands down, this light is perfect. It brings out the natural color of your eyes. Is easy to store and has no complicated setup. One really should only need one of these:
Light x 1 Aura Light : https://amzn.to/34HdtUd
Full HD Camera x 1 https://amzn.to/3cemVBg
HD Camera: not the built-in camera on your computer. The external camera adds 2 important factors: clarity and perspective.
- Clarity: Based on the camera specs this camera has the ability to capture high definition razor sharp images – superior to the built in camera on your computer.
- Perspective: mounting this on a tri-pod (see below) you will be able to angle the camera to allow for your best shot. Also raise it up high enough where you look slightly UP into camera. We’ve all seen the guy who puts his phone is in lap during these meetings….let’s not be that guy….No one needs to see up your nose. Using an exterior camera will allow you to adjust the angle and provide a much more favorable view.
Tri-pod for the extra camera x 1: https://amzn.to/3a9GlFT
Be Heard: Crisp clear sound shows professionalism. We’ve all been on the call when someone is hard to hear. You strain to hear the message and lot is lost….Enter the easy plug and play microphone and headset.
This set comes as a pack. Easy plug and play technology. The headphones assist in concentration and making sure you hear 100% of what your client is saying. It doesn’t get mixed with the noise coming from somewhere else in the house.
Microphone, Pop Filter, and headset x 1 https://amzn.to/2VynrTL
A few extras you might find helpful to have the best experience:
I like to have my laptop elevated. It helps me be able to view the other participants at close to eye level – as if they are sitting across the table from me.
Laptop stand x 1 https://amzn.to/2KaA2HK
Having easy access to the mouse and keyboard is critical (especially if the laptop is elevated)
This is an easy plug and play separate keyboard and mouse x 1 https://amzn.to/3aeCgAa
Finally, you may find with the microphone, camera and keyboard that you might be running out of usb ports. This will give you 3 extra usb ports to use.
USB Extension x 1 https://amzn.to/2K57SxE
Set the mood: The best images for the green screen projection
Create the best backdrops on canva: canva.com
Canva.com has several ZOOM back drops available for download, you can add your name or whatever you like.
Unedited template:
Edited
Personally I like to blur the background just a bit to allow those in the meeting to focus more on the main subject (me) than the background….
With these tips not only will you look your best, you will sound your best and hear your clients – all key aspects to winning the business.
Enjoy your meetings!
