Improving how you look and sound

Content is important … of course.

But, how you look and sound in online meetings (especially when presenting) can make a huge difference.
It affects how people listen to you; maintaining their interest and attention; how easy or hard they have to work to listen; and how much they will take in.

At one end of the spectrum: a clear, well-lit face looking directly at you, with a clear voice that’s easy to hear.
At the other end: half a shadowed face, looking down at their notes, with a tinny voice that sounds like they’re in a large hall that’s hard to hear.

How you sound in Zoom meetings

The main problem is that we don’t hear ourselves the way others hear us over Zoom.
Our breathing, the rustling of papers can all get amplified and our microphone may simply be of a poor quality.

• Top Tip: record yourself in your own private zoom meeting and then play it back to hear how others hear you.
• External webcams often have good microphones (see above under “Your Camera”).
• Try using a headset microphone.

Common mistakes (we see these happen all the time!)

• Headset microphone positioned in front of your mouth/nose – you won’t hear this, but everyone else will hear your breathing/sniffing – not a great impression. So position it off to the side.
• Brushing against your microphone (especially if its an external one brushing against your clothes or on your cheek)
• Rustling your paper notes
• Microphone too far away

How you look in Zoom meetings

Top Tip: open Zoom on your device and start your own private meeting to see how you look and check your appearance and lighting.

Your camera

Some laptops don’t have great cameras. An external webcam can make a huge difference. I use a Logitech C920 HD Pro webcam (for between £60 and £90).
And of course, nowadays, some phones have really good cameras.

Lighting

In general you want people to see your face and your eyes clearly. They will feel more connected with you and interested in what you are saying.
Unfortunately there’s not much you can easily do to avoid the glare/reflection from glasses.

• Adjust the brightness setting within Zoom – click the little up arrow next to “Stop Video” / choose “Video Settings” / you can now “Adjust for low light” (see picture and this short video clip)
• Avoid bright lights behind you.
• If you have bright sunlight coming in (creating strong light/dark contrast), it may be better to draw the curtains and use artificial lights.

And if your meeting is happening towards the end of the day – remember that the outside light may fade during the meeting.

Your position

• If possible, position your device so that the camera is at eye level. For example, with an external keyboard and mouse (very cheap) you can then pop your laptop on some books. This can also improve your posture and help your back and neck.
• Have your head near the centre of your image – and not too small (move the device/camera closer to you).

Your internet connection

Ideally use a “wired” connection (using ethernet cable between your router and computer) rather than wireless. Click here for more ideas to improve your connection.

Making eye contact

This can make a huge difference – click here for some tips

Your background

We’ve all become used to seeing people in their homes. So don’t avoid a more informal/personal background. However, (on many, but not all, devices) you can also …

• blur your background
• add a virtual background (and you can use any picture you want from internet or of your own)

Both of these will depend on your device and also that you have Virtual Background enabled in your Zoom settings on the web for your account. It is in the “In Meeting (Advanced)” section.