It’s become a necessity. Whether it is a Zoom call live from your home or a well-optimized video, it is important that you look your best. That includes an attractive background that doesn’t detract or distract.
So we’re here to give you some basic “don’ts”. Albeit, they go without saying but still good to keep in mind. Heed them and the “dos” will automatically fall into place.
- Keep lighting in mind. Bright rays shining in could make you appear to be a shadow of your real self. Conversely, you don’t want your space to appear to be dark and dingy either. Your colleagues being able to see you clearly is really the point.
- About book cases…a little cliché. Enough said. What’s going on in the screen should be interesting, but not too busy. And, if your computer is in your bedroom, move it to a different room. We’re amazed at how often we see this.
- Green screens virtual backgrounds can put you just about anywhere from a beach with palm trees blowing in the wind to the middle of a sign-flashing Times Square. Where ever it is you choose to be, super-imposed movement takes attention away from you and what you are saying. We don’t recommend them.
- Don’t be overtly commercial. If you are selling something, don’t “just happen” to have it in plain sight. If you want to make a point, speak for yourself. You don’t need the background to speak for you.
- Be careful of your surroundings. You don’t want to be in an area where people might cross through or where there could be noise such as a blender grinding or a garbage disposal.
- It is always a good idea to have a clean setting. It shows that you’re well-organized and on top of things.
Maybe we just love animals, but we think that pets humanize and resonate and that most people love seeing them. If your dog or cat makes a surprise guest appearance and meanders into your screen, that’s okay. It even happened to Harry and Meghan in a recent interview. You’re in good company.
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