Creating content and virtual meetings can be scary, but it also can be a lot of fun. In today’s world, the virtual meeting has become as common as a phone call. Along with that, content is one of the most important tools to drive people to your business and it can cost next to nothing to do.

When everything changed last March, like many of you, I had little experience with virtual meetings, much less creating digital content. We all had to learn and adapt. Throughout in the last 12 months, I have created more digital content through video then I ever thought I would in a lifetime, including hosting a virtual sales conference and monthly virtual workshops. The more I create, the easier it becomes and the more fun. I continue to expand the equipment that I use in order to raise the quality of the experience and post-production content. I spent a lot of time researching, asking friends and want to help you save some time and headaches I experienced.

Here are some tips and advice that I thought would help cut your learning curve and make a virtual meeting a better experience for your guest.

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.

· Audio options - In front of computer

o Built in microphone on a laptop will work

o Headset or microphone will provide clearer sound

· Audio Options if away from Computer or device

o Built in microphone on a Camera

o Attached Microphone

· Camera so you can be clearly seen

o Laptop camera will work if in front of computer

o A quality USB camera, Logitech Brio for example, will provide better picture quality

· Have a stable surface that the camera is sitting on in order to minimize shaking, especially if you are writing or typing during the meeting.

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

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.

1. Focus on getting attention. You are building a brand that will allow you to turn that attention into Sales.

2. Don’t create content for “likes” create content because you like it and it will bring value to others

3. 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

4. Give attention to others and gain attention in the process

5. Activity should be focused on both existing customers and potential new ones

6. Drive attention to your website and social sites in every way 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. Stay tuned for more on this topic as it can consume an entire blog itself.

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. I spent a tin of time figuring out what else I needed after I bought a piece of equipment. <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 and I hope to see your content in the future!

Screenflow for Mac

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjqgrqd4c3sAhXOwMAKHYbEBQ8YABAAGgJpbQ&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQeD2jZ0vAmlCldiu7-yBORQPf0K59Cu5Zagy29Yt5g1LrKjbkpxYM5atbR9OWZYk5KvMOrThZzUww6NaGHZNTWfC&sig=AOD64_3jE9tn1pfPJq1Ktp_Ohi7cF5m7GA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiVkbCd4c3sAhWdB50JHQgiB-8Q0Qx6BAgaEAE&dct=1

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

https://www.amazon.com/UBeesize-Ringlight-YouTube-Photography-Compatible/dp/B07GDC39Y2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3NAMI4U9T2VZD&dchild=1&keywords=halo+light+ring+with+stand&qid=1603560519&s=electronics&sprefix=halo+light+%2Celectronics%2C177&sr=1-5

Rode mic and lapel mic

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WirelessGO--rode-wireless-go-compact-wireless-microphone-system

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LavalierGO--rode-lavalier-go-professional-wearable-microphone