5 Easy Tips To Look Good on Video Calls Inside
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How to make your video calls look and sound professional
In this episode I offer practical tips to help you improve how you look and sound during video calls. This is the second of two episodes. Part 1 focused on outside video calls, and this episode focuses on video calls inside.
I explain how camera angle, distance, background, and sound can make a big difference in presenting yourself better on calls. I also help you avoid common mistakes, like using bad lighting or holding your phone too low, which can affect how you look on camera. Whether you're using a phone, tablet, or computer, these tips will help you appear more professional. And I share some humorous insights and personal stories to make learning fun and easy.
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Today we’re going to talk about how you can look and sound better on video calls. To make video calls, no matter what platform you use, you are on camera, and today we are going to talk about making you look better.
Hi, I’m James from LearningEnglishwithJames.com. If you saw our last video, you know that it was about videos that are done while you are out and about. On the go.
Today we’re going to talk about five tips that will definitely improve your indoor video calls. Because there is more of a possibility that you may be working when video calling or videoconferencing while you are inside, we want to talk a little more about looking and sounding professional.
So, our five major topics are:
Camera angle
Your distance from the camera
Your location and background
Lighting; and
Sound quality
Once again, we’ll talk about some common mistakes and help you avoid them.
Your camera angle
[01:15]
So, let’s begin with tip number one, camera angle. You want the camera on your device at around eye level or maybe a little higher. If you are communicating using a laptop or tablet that’s sitting on a table or desk, it is at the perfect angle to look up your nose or make it look like you have a double chin. Neither one of these is appealing.
If you are self-conscious about having a double chin, raising your camera just slightly above eye level and pointing it downward will naturally make you adjust your posture to raise your chin. Raising your chin a little will provide a slight slimming effect.
So how do we raise the level of the camera on the devices we use? Well, we raise the entire device. Since I travel a lot, to do this I had to find a lightweight and compact laptop stand. A couple of years ago I found a plastic folding stand that cost about thirty dollars.
But if you don’t plan on videoconferencing very often, or if you don’t travel much, you can always use a sturdy stack of books or a plastic filing box, or any other sturdy box that you have and lay it on its side. Adjust your camera angle and remember to make sure your device is stable. You don’t want your laptop to fall over in the middle of a conference call. Besides being embarrassing to you, it could damage your computer.
You need to frame yourself on the screen just like a professional videographer would. You should be in the center of the screen, with just a bit of space visible above the top of your head. But remember your entire head should be visible. It can be very distracting to the people on the other end of the video feed if the top of your head is chopped off.
If you are using a cellphone, there are small tripods or cellphone holders you can use. Or it’s back to the stack of books, or filing box, with your phone leaned up against an empty coffee cup.
Your distance from the camera
[03:15]
Now we move on to tip number two, the distance between you and the camera. About twenty-four inches, which is sixty centimeters for most of the world, or about the length of my arm, is ideal for video conferencing. That was quick and easy.
Your location and background
[03:30]
So now let’s talk about number three. Your location and background. You may enjoy hanging out at your local coffee shop using their free wi-fi. If you’re on a personal video call, that may work for you. But it is not appropriate for a business call.
If you are video calling friends or family, having a roommate or family member walking through your background may be fine. On a business call that definitely doesn’t work. And you certainly don’t want a family pet grooming itself in the background. You need to create a quiet private environment that looks professional.
You should check your background to see what is visible to the people on the other end of the feed. I don’t care what the rest of your home or office looks like, your background needs to look professional. Many videoconferencing platforms do have virtual backgrounds available, but don’t count on them. For some reason the peaceful virtual meadow scene or the nice bookshelves full of neatly stacked books may not function. Because of this, your actual background needs to be clean and tidy.
Your lighting
[04:45]
And now let’s talk about lighting. If you live in a nice sunny climate, having a window in front of you can work perfectly. But life isn’t always perfect. Since that is the case, you may need artificial lighting that makes you look natural. Let’s look at some of our choices.
You probably don’t want the people on the other end of the call thinking that you are on death’s doorstep because your skin is a blueish gray color. If the only light source that you’re using is the screen of your laptop, phone or tablet, that is what you will look like. But putting a small table lamp behind your device will help to offset the blue light from your device. This will give your skin a more natural tone. Because I wear glasses, I have to put the desk lamp off to the side or else there is a reflection of the lamp in the center of my lenses and my eyes are not visible. And that really bugs me.
Bright overhead lights do not make you look natural. They can make you look like a criminal getting your mug shot taken. And overhead lights will form shadows down your face. They need to be avoided.
Fluorescent lights are bright, but most do not have a warm natural color. And if you wear glasses like I do, those fluorescent light rings that you can buy for vlogging, won’t work for you. The reflection of the light ring on your glasses will make it look like you have white circles around your eyeballs. That is something that you are not warned about when you buy one.
There are a lot of professional lighting rigs made especially for videos and filmmaking. But these can cost you a fortune. And the ones that are cheap generally aren’t worth what little money you will spend on them. So, you may need to experiment a bit with what you already have available. One last thing to remember about lighting is that you never want a bright light behind you. It can make your face look shadowy or nearly invisible.
Your sound quality
[06:55]
Tip number four. How you sound is just as important as how you look. And if you are video calling for work, you want to look and sound professional. The microphone on your cellphone works great at arm’s length in informal situations. But if you move the phone a little farther away or if the acoustics of the room are not great, neither is your sound. You may get an echo, or a tinny effect and you will need an external microphone.
For the same reason, it is also advisable to use a microphone when using your laptop. Decent external microphones can be pricey. But just like using filing boxes or stacks of books to adjust camera angles, there is a cheap workaround.
This is where your earbuds can come to the rescue. I don’t believe that I have ever seen a pair of wireless, Bluetooth earbuds that don’t have a reasonable microphone included. I use a pair that I bought years ago to use at the gym for thirty-five dollars. They work just fine.
If you don’t own a pair of Bluetooth earbuds but you do have a pair that you plug into your devices, most have an inline microphone, that will work just as well. Just be careful not to touch the microphone. I have seen a lot of people that hold the inline mic in front of their mouths. Touching a microphone can produce scratchy sounds that will be audible on the other end of your call.
And if you hold the microphone in front of your mouth, your voice could be too loud for the microphone and cause distortion. Or you may produce popping sounds any time you say a word that has the letters T, D, P, or K. You need to trust your technology. If the microphone is on a cord that hangs to the side of your chin, it was designed to be used from that angle and that distance.
Okay, now a quick review of what we’ve covered. The meat and potatoes of video calling. The technicalities of how to set up.
So, before you begin any video call:
Adjust your camera angle.
Check your distance from the camera.
Make sure your location and background is clean and tidy.
Check that your lighting looks natural; and
Check your sound quality.
Now it’s time to put the icing on the cake. Let’s talk about how to make sure that you stand out from the pack. We’re going to quickly talk about the behaviors that will make you look like you really know what you are doing.
One of the most common mistakes that you will see people making while video calling is not looking at the camera of the device they’re using. Instead, they look at their device’s screen. They look at themselves. They look at the people they are talking to. They look everywhere but at the camera.
When you look at your screen and not at the camera, you’re not making eye contact with the people you are talking to. What they see is that you are looking down below them. Whether you are talking to friends and family or co-workers and clients, you need to make eye contact with them just like you would if you were in the same room with them.
If you have a problem remembering to look at your camera on your device, you can put a piece of adhesive tape, or a sticky note next to the camera. I used to balance a USB drive shaped like a cartoon character next to my camera. It also helped me to remember to smile because I was always looking at Scooby-Doo.
How to greet people on video calls
[10:40]
Next. In most cultures, it is common to use some sort of gesture when greeting someone, when saying hello. In most English-speaking cultures that gesture is a handshake. If you are not close enough to shake hands, then it’s a wave or a nod of the head.
If you are video calling, you are obviously not close enough to shake someone’s hand. So, if you are talking to family, friends, or anyone else that you are familiar with, to break the ice, start out with a friendly greeting and a wave. If it’s a more formal situation, a more formal greeting and a nod of the head is appropriate.
If you are leading a group video call or video conference, acknowledging each participant as they join is a part of your task as the leader of the group. If you are joining a group call, greet the leader of the group and then everyone else as a group. Unless of course you’ve joined really late, then you might want to try to sneak in unnoticed. Good luck with that!
If you’re talking to family and friends, and it’s a long conversation you may feel the need to eat and drink. Just remember that nobody wants to see what you have in your mouth or hear you slurping and chewing. So, chew with your mouth closed and mute your microphone. If you are involved in a professional video conference, skip the snacking and if you need a drink of water or coffee don’t forget to mute your microphone.
Dress code on video calls
[12:15]
And now let’s talk about how you dress. If you’re talking with friends and family, they already know your personal style and who knows, they might expect you to be in your pajamas.
If you are conferencing for work, this should be treated just like a face-to-face meeting. You are on a live video feed. The people that you’re speaking with will be able to hear you and see you just like you were in their office. So, dress appropriately, and make sure you have everything that you would have if you were really at their office.
And whatever you do, don’t make the mistake that some people make of thinking that since you will be sitting down, you only have to dress professionally from the waist up. What if the meeting lasts longer than you expected and you have to get up to go to the bathroom? Do you really want everyone to know that underneath the nice shirt you are wearing, you have on a pair of shorts that are so ratty looking you won’t wear them to take out the trash in the evening? I don’t think so. I should also mention that dressing professionally makes you feel more professional.
When talking to friends and family, you all know how you speak to each other, and you’re relaxed. Have fun. If you are on a video call for work, don’t get too relaxed. Remember to act like you are working. Don’t use any language that would not be appropriate at the office. If you are part of a large group call, remember to mute your microphone when you are not talking and don’t forget to give visual feedback letting others know you’re paying attention. You know, nod your head in agreement or whatever other responses you would give in a face-to-face conversation.
A couple of other last points. If you are invited to or required to be part of a video call for work, they want to see your bright smiling face, so leave your camera on. And getting up and leaving while someone else is speaking is always rude.
And now a quick review of the ways you make yourself a star when video calling.
Look at your device's camera to make eye contact.
A friendly greeting and gesture is always appreciated.
Eating and drinking aren't really a part of video calling.
Mute your call when you need to, but always look like you’re paying attention.
Dress appropriately.
Pay attention to what you say.
Leave your camera on.
Be polite.
Thanks a lot! We'll see you next time on.
English phrases explained:
Meat and potatoes - The most important parts. Learn more.
Icing on the cake - Extra things that make something even better. Learn more.
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