Your base setup for video calls is as important as your speech style and body language. Here are some easy fixes you can make to ensure your visual and auditive delivery is appropriate:
- Background
We do not expect you to have a fancy bookcase behind your chair. The most important thing about the background is that it will not distract people viewing you. Keep it simple. If you have art on the wall, make sure it is plain. Avoid images of, for example, people or animals. You want people to focus on you, not your surroundings. - Acoustics
Echo is caused mainly by empty rooms. When you talk, sound will bounce back to you if it is not absorbed by objects in the room. Make sure there are enough objects behind the camera to minimize echo. For important meetings, some people throw pillows behind the camera. Soft, pliable or porous materials are good for absorbing most sound. - Light
Make sure your face is clear and avoid shadows. If you want the perfect setup, read about three-point lighting setups, but with common sense you can easily figure out a decent setting. Keep in mind that shadows will be minimized if you have light coming in from different angles. Just make sure you do not have light going directly into the camera. Finally, be careful if you rely on natural sources of light, since conditions may suddenly change. - Microphone
Nothing beats wires. The ideal microphone is a lavalier (lav) one that can be hooked to your shirt. It is fairly cheap and easy to find. If you cannot get an independent mic, then use a USB headset. Avoid using the computer´s microphone.
- Headphones
Sound coming out from your speaker can bounce back into your mic. Use headphones or earphones to make sure no sound escapes. Some have noise-cancelling properties that may help you avoid distracting sounds. - MUTE
Be aware of the quickest way you can mute your mic in case you need to. Some headsets have controls for quick mute and volume along the wire. Finally, check if the conferencing software you are using has a way to use the keyboard to mute the mic.
We hope we kept this post as simple as possible so you are able to remember these key points from now on.
To practice your public speaking, use Speecher and make a speech on “easy fixes to improve video calls”:
https://speecherapp.com/app