5 Ways to Make Your Virtual Meetings Look and Feel Even Better
Posted by Penny Mustard on Jan 14th 2021
With the recent influx of virtual meetings and gatherings, we’ve also seen an uptick in technological mishaps. The YouTube blooper reels are endless!
Screaming kids busting in during an important work call. The cute family cat taking up residence in front of the webcam. The coworker forgetting they’re on a call and, well, doing something that should NEVER be done during a meeting.
If you have to endure an abundance of virtual meetings, gatherings, happy-hours, etc… why not have some fun with it?
Sure, you’ve no doubt done a deep-dive into the world of digital backgrounds. The possibilities are endless. And you can cycle through backgrounds until you find one that’s just right for your mood, location, team, etc.
But your fun digital backgrounds are just the beginning. Let them serve as inspiration for reworking your real-life workspace. Here are five quick tips to virtually improve your next meeting.
1 – A REAL-LIFE BACKGROUND
Why use a virtual background when you already have a great background somewhere in your home? Show off your bookcase or favorite wall art. Arrange your workspace so that your favorite spot is your background. Others will love that view as much as you do.
Need a few tips on styling shelves? Click HERE!
2 – FOCUS ON YOU
The focus should be on YOU during your Zoom meeting, so work your background with neutrals and other subtle colors that make you the main attraction. Stay away from busy art pieces or detailed wallpapers that can be more distracting than enhancing.
3 – BRING IN THE GREEN
Spruce up your workspace by adding easy-to-maintain plants to styled shelves or your desktop. Incorporating greenery can increase productivity, too. Plants work as both a mood booster and natural air purifier.
What are the best low maintenance plants for your space? Check out some great suggestions HERE.
4 – LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
Consider your camera positioning prior to hopping on a call. If you work primarily from a laptop, adjust the angle of the camera to capture your face straight on instead of up your nose. Simple stacks of books can be a quick solution for better camera placement. This not only helps you look better but it also helps you look better at the camera so that you make direct eye contact with other attendees.
5 – SHINE THE LIGHTS
When it comes to video, lighting is key. Make sure you’re illuminated from the front. If your light source is behind you, it creates dark shadows on your face. If you’ve ever been on a video conference where one person looked like they were in the witness protection program, you know what we’re talking about.
If your workspace has a window, rearrange your desk so that the office window is not behind you.
If your room lacks natural light sources, consider investing in a ring light. Make sure that you first consider the size of the light before purchasing so that you have enough room to accommodate the apparatus.
If a window or the addition of ring light aren’t options for you, position a table lamp so that it’s near your face and screen.
Use these tips to enhance your workspace and virtual presence. And remember the wise words of Simon Sinek, who said “If you get the environment right, every one of us has the capacity to do remarkable things.”