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As we’ve all come to realize, communicating via video conference platforms isn’t going away. Whether you’re speaking at a virtual conference, training an online course or being interviewed on-camera for a video, you’re probably doing it through Meet, Teams or Zoom.

In fact, due to safety protocols, we’ve had video clients require that we conduct on-camera interviews on Zoom. We’ve done quite a number of them over the past two years and learned a lot.

Here are 7 tips to help you look and sound good on a video conference platform.

1-Maintain Good Eye Contact

You want good eye contact with your audience. Look directly at the camera not the attendees or interviewer.

2- Camera Position Matters

Position your camera at eye-level for the best angle. If you have a laptop, stack a few books or use a box to raise it to eye-level height.

3-Don’t Forget Audio

Pick a quiet spot. Background noise is distracting. It can also mess with an interview’s audio. Consider putting up a “do not disturb” sign on your door.

4-Lighting is Important

The best scenario is to have light in front of you and behind the camera. This light can come from lamps or a window. Do not sit with a light or window behind you. I repeat, do not sit with light behind you.

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This causes a silhouette effect. I call it the Witness Protection Program look.

An even amount of light on your face is the goal, regardless of the source. The better lighting on your face, the better you look.

5-Think about Staging

If you’re using a laptop, move around and experiment with different backgrounds. You want people to focus on you, so a simple background is best. Move items to minimize distractions or add a point of interest like a plant. Close any doors behind you. The fewer objects behind you, the better.

6-Plan Your Camera Framing

Sit close enough to the camera that you take up most of the image on screen. Leave only a small amount of space above your head. Pulling your laptop screen forward helps.

7-Wear the Right Attire

What you wear matters. The camera reacts differently to certain colors and patterns.

It’s a good idea to wear blue and other cool color tones as they enhance people on camera. If you can, wear contact lenses. Glasses can cause a glare. If contacts aren’t an option, adjust your lighting. Even though you’re not in person, makeup is still important. Foundation and powder help men and women avoid looking shiny or washed out. I advise women to wear more makeup than normal.

On the flip side, stay away from both small and busy patterns. Patterns like polka dots can interfere with the camera and create ripples on the screen. Large patterns with a multitude of colors can distract audience members from your presentation. Avoid dangling earrings and shiny jewelry. These can reflect your lighting and create a glare. It can be distracting to viewers and make it hard to see you clearly.

We’ll see you next time on Zoom. Good luck!

Stacy Lloyd has conducted thousands of interviews in the field and studio. With Lloyd Media Group, she brings that experience to you. Learn more about our video production services and how we can help.