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Video Conference Best Practices: How to Look and Sound Great in Virtual Meetings

Whether you are taking part in a remote video production or just meeting with colleagues remotely– you need to follow video conference best practices to ensure optimal results. If you’re in a hurry, check out this quick 7 step guide to looking and sounding great for your next virtual meeting:

1. Choose Your Background

  • Avoid messy or busy backgrounds. 
  • Remove or avoid any logos or copyrighted material in the background, including bookshelves and artwork. 
  • A plain wall is always a safe choice– sit several feet away to avoid shadows. 

2. Refine Your Lighting

  • Face towards your primary light source, ideally a window. 
  • Position yourself so there are no windows behind you. 
  • Turn off any lamps visible in your background. 
  • If you are using a window as your primary light source and it is bright, you might try turning off interior lights to keep the color consistent. 

3. Finesse Your Framing

  • Position yourself approximately 18” to 24” from your camera. 
  • Adjust the camera to be roughly eye level. You may need to prop your computer up on a stack of books or lower your chair. 
  • If you are having a conversation with someone else, try to move their frame as close to your webcam lens as possible. 

4. Improve Your Internet Connection

  • Plug your computer directly into ethernet, if possible.
  • Ask others in your household or office to refrain from streaming videos or other internet-intensive activities during your presentation. 

5. Optimize Your Audio

  • Try to choose a space with carpeting or curtains to reduce echo. You may also lay blankets over hard flooring, out of sight.
  • Reduce background noise. Ask others to be quiet and turn off any dishwashers, air conditioning, etc. 
  • Mute your microphone when you are not speaking. 
  • Pause for 1-2 seconds before you begin speaking. Avoid talking over others or responding too quickly to questions. 

6. Look Your Best on Camera

  • Wear solid colors. Neutrals, jewel tones, and pastels are best. 
  • Avoid wearing bright white, bright red, and bright green. 
  • Avoid intricate patterns such as herringbone or pinstripes.
  • Avoid large or identifiable graphics, logos, text, etc. 
  • Wear a blazer over your shirt for a polished, professional look. 
  • Garments should be tailored and comfortable– not too tight, not too loose. 
  • Avoid jewelry and accessories that make noise during movement. 
  • If applicable, touch up your makeup prior to appearing on camera. Use powder or blotting paper to reduce excessive shine. 

7. Nail Your Performance (For Interviews/Presentations)

  • Relax! You don’t have to respond perfectly. We can go over each question multiple times, and will edit your responses to show you in the best possible light. 
  • Keep your eyes on the webcam lens– before, during, and after your response! Do your best to ignore your computer screen and any other distractions. 
  • Please answer all the questions in complete sentences, and restate part of the question in your response. (The interviewer will not be in the final video.)
  • Relatively short responses (or “soundbites”) are best. Start with the general overview– we can dive into the details later.

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