In the age of coronavirus, it seems that life has turned virtual.
Self-quarantine and social-distancing mandates have led many to turn to teleconferencing and virtual hangouts to maintain professional and social connections. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts have become essential for workplace collaboration and friendly check-ins. And adoption rates have surged: Teams reported 12 million new users in March after widespread social-distancing guidelines were put into effect.
However, the shift to virtual meetings has also brought an audience of co-workers and colleagues into our private homes, for which we may not always be prepared. It’s easy to overlook that, by participating in a virtual meeting, we’re putting our personal space on display, along with our work-from-home wardrobe, whatever it may be. How can we ensure we’re appropriately set up for virtual conferencing?
Fortunately, Julie Lasky of The New York Times is here to help. In a recent article, she detailed several ways we can look our best on webcam. Here are a few tips from her article that might come in handy for your next teleconference or virtual happy hour.
Lighting is Key
First, make sure your lighting situation is appropriate. Avoid having a light source directly behind you or within view of the camera, as this can cause glare for your audience. Having the light directly opposite you can help you literally shine for the camera – in the best of ways, of course.
To look your finest, avoid sitting directly under a source of light. This can create unwanted shadows on your face, making you look more like a ghost than a co-worker vying for valuable meeting time. Consider using ring lights or lamps and position them two feet opposite where you’re situated.
Make Sure You Can Be Heard
Next, consider the acoustics of the room, if you will. Hold your meeting in a setting where sound is absorbed and echo is minimized. Rooms with carpeting, window shades or curtains, and other upholstery can be ideal, as these can help contribute to your own personal sound booth. Large rooms composed of wood and glass are nice, but may be counteractive when it comes to trapping or bouncing sound.
Also, if you use headphones or AirPods, make sure they work appropriately with your computer and the application you’re using. Being ill-prepared for technical snafus can lead to a communication breakdown.
Know What’s in the Background
When considering your backdrop, keeping things simple often pays off. Neutral backgrounds will help keep the focus on you. Opt for rooms with neutral colors such as light blue, light gray, off-white or beige. Minimize background activity and avoid having multiple rooms or areas of high foot traffic, such as a staircase, within view of the camera that can distract your audience.
Or maybe you’d like to give your audience something to look at. Sometimes this can help with introducing a sense of calm, vibrancy or optimism. Try creating a simple setup, with a bookshelf in the background or placing a plant nearby. Or you could film yourself in front of an elaborate painting or art piece to try and inject a little inspiration into your setup.
It’s easy to overlook the unintended consequences of letting outsiders virtually enter your home. Pets may bark during client calls, children may barge into the room and cry during work meetings. These things happen. But creating your own niche for hosting virtual meetings will help you maintain consistency and a semblance of normalcy with your work routine. And it will help keep you prepared for whatever the job throws at you, keeping you focused on what’s important and less preoccupied with how you appear.