The right mindset, equipment and preparation can make a great virtual expereince.
I wrote an article in February about the importance of conducting professional virtual meetings and digital content.
Since then, I have added even more equipment, learned more and wanted to share them both with you.
Since going virtual is not going away, even as people start entering back into traditional workplace environments, it is important to make sure you are equipped to provide the best virtual experiences that you can.
These best practices can be applied to meetings, virtual presentations, recorded content and more!
If you do any professional speaking, being able to execute virtually is as important as being able to execute and deliver value on stage.
I realized on a flight back from an event in Atlanta in March of 2020, right as Covid started making its waves, that I don’t have to be present with someone in the room to bring them value. I could do it virtually. However, the more I did it, the better I got and the more I realized that just like on stage, delivery matters. There is an art to keep someone engaged for an hour or 8 hours.
Here are some tips and advice that I thought would help cut your learning curve and make a virtual meeting, virtual keynote or creating content a better experience for both you and your audience. Now that everyone has gotten “used to virtual” the experience is becoming more of a representation of you and is incredibly important to reflect your professionalism.
**This is an updated list from the February article
Virtual and Social Content - Audio & Visual recommendations and best practices
Technology recommendations
Stable internet connection - I recommend doing a speed test prior to connecting and resetting your router if the upload and download speeds are below 10 MBPS for bandwidth
Quiet space for your on-screen appearance, background noise suppression should be on if available.
Content Creation – can widely vary based on the type of content you are creating and where you want it to exist
Your cell phone will work
A quality USB camera, Logitech Brio for example, connected to your computer for “live” social engagement
Use any of the below recommendations if you want a higher quality finished product to share
Quick meetings:
Audio options - In front of computer
Built in microphone on a laptop will work
Headset or microphone will provide clearer sound
Audio Options if away from Computer or device
Built in microphone on a Camera
Attached Microphone
Camera so you can be clearly seen
Laptop camera will work if in front of computer, although often not the best quality
A quality USB camera, Logitech Brio for example, will provide better picture quality
A lot goes on behind the scenes that the audience never sees.
Presentations, keynotes and content creation:
Audio options - In front of computer
Headset or microphone connected properly
Wireless mic attached to a switcher, camera or the computer
Audio Options if away from Computer or device
Built in microphone on a Camera, depending on distance and sound quality
Attached Microphone to the camera or switcher
Boom mic that is out of frame
Camera so you can be clearly seen
A quality USB camera, Logitech Brio for example, at minimum
A HD camera that can connect through a switcher or like device that is able to be read as the camera with your meeting software. (see the Sony Camera I purchased below)
Production
Switching unit that will give you multiple camera options, including your presentation as an optional input
Additional monitor in order to have your presentation up to share
A third monitor, if desired for your speaking notes
Professional White board
Professional interactive presentation Monitor
Have a stable surface that the camera or computer is sitting on in order to minimize shaking, especially if you are writing or typing during the meeting. If you are going to type on the same computer that you are connected with, definitely try to use a camera on a stand that will not shake.
Best experience recommendations
Camera should be eye level or just a above eye level
If you are using your camera in your laptop, if needed, place something under your laptop to lift it so the camera is eye level
If a camera is mounted on a stand, then set that to be at eye level
No windows or bright lights behind you
Have good lighting in front of you so your face is not in any shadows
Watch for reflections of lighting in glasses
Sit or stand, whatever is most comfortable for you, just make sure the camera has you in frame and in focus
Check your background for reflections of lighting, and any distractions.
Do not have a messy background
Lock doors if possible and place a sign outside the door if needed to help minimize interruptions
Invest in some basic “sound-absorbing” panels and ascetics like fabrics to help reduce echoes and bad acoustics
Find items that can become “recognizable” with you, similar to extending your brand. This can be done if you have a designated studio to use or you are using a space in your home or office.
Best preparation recommendations
Unless the desire is to have an immediate, raw, unrehearsed piece of content, practice, and then practice some more.
Place a post it with some bullet points directly under the camera if you need to have something to help you make sure you hit your points.
Complete a dry-run. Click through your slides, test the technology. Take into consideration sharing the screen, pulling in other organizers and playing videos that have audio.
Make sure everything is connected and on properly.
Now that you are ready to create some content or maybe you are ready to venture out in a “live” video, here are some tips to help. Remember, this is all about getting attention.
Focus on getting attention. You are building a brand that will allow you to turn that attention into Sales.
Don’t create content for “likes” create content because you like it and it will bring value to others
Create and share value-added content that your buyer or the influencer of your buyer will find valuable, even if it has nothing to do with your products directly
Make sure your content is properly directed to the audience of the platform you are placing it on. Edit the written text accordingly.
Give attention to others and gain attention in the process
Activity should be focused on both existing customers and potential new ones or those that can help you grow your business.
Drive attention to your website and social sites in every way you can
Create a video ending slide / image that you can drop into the end of created videos that have your social links, website, call to action, etc. Put that at the end of every video you create and share if you can.
One final thing, please, create value-added content. The only way to stand out in the massive amount of content that is being created everyday, is to create content that brings value to others.
Finding all of the hardware and things you may need to create content can be a task in itself, so here is a list of items that I have purchased and use. I hope this saves you a lot of time searching and reading. NOTE: I encourage you to buy from your local shops as much as possible. The Amazon links are there to help show you what you need and if you can’t find it elsewhere.
Good Luck!!
I hope to see your content in the future!
Screenflow for Mac
Brio 2 web cam
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-BRIO-Conferencing-Recording-Streaming/dp/B01N5UOYC4
Lighting and green screen set
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LV46738/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Light halo & camera stand
Rode mic and lapel mic
Cabling to connect Rode to Apple devices
Jack input - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SC7--rode-sc7-coiled-patch-cable-angled-3.5mm-trrs-to-angled-3.5mm-trs
Lightning to jack adaptor - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LightHpAdapt--apple-lightning-to-3.5mm-headphone-jack-adapter
Headphone splitter to connect to a Mac - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078PZ1BGN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Go Pro 8 or 9
https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras
Go Pro Media mods -
https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/vlogging-camera-mods
Extendable selfie stick tripod, portable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NWC3L95/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sony a6100 mirrorless camera, with two lenses
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Contemporary Lens for Sony E-mount
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3SCKI6/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_DXEHCCW4RKBRK80F6S7R
Geekoto tripod
DJI Osmo Mobile Gimble
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dji-om-4/6420407.p?skuId=6420407
Black Magic Atem switchers
https://genescamera.com/shop?query=atem
Elgato Cam Link 4K
Cables
4k micro hdmi to hdmi -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HGT9T6M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
USB C to USB C cable pack
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087M2K64S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Godox Light – SLB60W – with remote
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074MH91P9/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_VAVNWC91CB3EJNJV3BX2
Along with this light, I purchased a used, heavier-duty tripod to be mount it to. I also use one of the diffuser umbrellas from the above lighting and green screen kit set up on another tripod to diffuse the light. You may want to consider purchasing a box diffuser that would mount to the light.
Presentation clicker for Mac
Media Cart
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-7460/Media-Carts/Plastic-AV-Cart-with-Cabinet-27-x-18-x-3