How To Instantly Improve Your Zoom Meetings
Are you looking for a way to instantly improve your appearance on Zoom? With more and more of us relying on video calls for things like business meetings, job interviews, or even virtual happy hours with friends and family, it’s important to look our best.
The advent of Zoom conferencing and other online video calls has changed the way we interact with each other. Suddenly, instead of meeting in person, we’re seeing each other on screens. While this has its advantages such as saving time and money, it can also be intimidating – and not just because people may be able to see what's behind you! It's easy to start worrying about how you’ll look on camera.
Luckily there are some simple tricks and tips that you can use to instantly improve your appearance on Zoom without spending lots of time or money! In this article, I will share 5 ways that you can instantly improve your appearance on Zoom for better video conference success!
related reading
If you’ve come here looking for my Top 3 Things to Do Before You Zoom, Try:
Lighting - click to jump down to the tips
Use a Custom Designed Background by Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design
If you’ve come here looking for the Biggest Zoom Conference Mistake You Don’t Want to Make, check out #10.
Contents:
How to Make a Good Impression on Zoom
Good Grooming
Video Camera
Camera Angle
Lighting
Sound Quality
Body Language
Comfortable Position
Eye Contact
Facial Expressions
Hands
Posture
Mirror Speaker
Voice
Use a Custom Designed Background
How to Upload Your Background
Resources
How To Make a Good Impression on Zoom
1. Good Grooming
A good grooming routine is essential for improving your zoom appearance. Start by washing your face and brushing your hair to ensure that it looks its best. You can also use styling products such as gels or waxes to give yourself a polished look. For men, make sure you have a neat and pleasant looking beard or moustache, as this can make all the difference in how you are perceived on camera. Make sure your clothes are well-fitting and ironed for maximum impact - you don't want to be remembered for wearing something that didn't fit properly! Also, go easy on the makeup - a few small touches of concealer, foundation and mascara are enough to give a flawless finish. Finally, keep accessories subtle so they don't detract from your main focus – which should always be your face!
Try not to look like Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks’ Cast Away character) after being stranded on a deserted island along with a volleyball.
Zoom even has a "touch up my appearance" feature. It gets rid of dark circles and smooths fine lines.
2. VIDEO
When it comes to improving your Zoom appearance, having a good video camera is essential. If your built-in webcam is not sufficient enough, investing in a good external video camera can greatly enhance the quality of your visuals on Zoom calls. To make sure you are projecting the best possible version of yourself on the video call, it is recommended that you choose the video option during the call instead of only opting for audio. In order to focus more on the other individuals in the call without getting distracted by looking at yourself, right-click on your own window and choose “hide myself”. This should help you maintain focus and remember that everyone else in the call can still see you so always keep professional mannerisms and don't forget to wear pants!
Remember to wear pants to your #Zoom meetings. This video is awkward and hilarious! #ZoomFail #GoogleHangouts https://t.co/JHSOAjYgGL
— 98.7 The Bull (@987thebull) March 27, 2020
3. CAMERA ANGLE
Having a good camera angle is important for Zoom calls to ensure you look your best. To do this, it is essential to raise your laptop or monitor so that the camera can be head-on and at eye level. This will also prevent people from looking up your nose. Additionally, make sure not to look down when speaking to others as this can be off-putting. Anything that you need to use such as a box, stack of books, or higher table should be used in order to raise the camera so it points directly at you. Furthermore, your face should occupy one-quarter to one-third of the screen so everyone can get a clear view. Lastly, aim to be standing in the center of the screen rather than being positioned too high or low or being off-center.
Photo by Neringa Šidlauskaitė on Unsplash
4. LIGHTING
Photo by Swabdesign_official on Unsplash
For the best results when using Zoom, you should make sure that your room has plenty of natural light, but not all from behind you or you risk becoming backlit. Ideally, you should have a lamp located in front of you or at an angle less than 45 degrees away from your face for the best lighting. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the fact that your computer screen will also produce some light and can affect the lighting in your space. Therefore, if you are relying on artificial lighting for Zoom calls, it is crucial to adjust your screen's brightness so that it does not interfere with the overall result or cause unwanted shadows or reflections.
5. SOUND QUALITY
For a professional appearance on Zoom, you should ensure that your video and sound quality are excellent. Before the meeting, make sure to test your microphone and make any necessary adjustments. If your microphone isn't working properly or is too quiet, you may want to invest in a new headset with high-quality audio. Additionally, take the time to adjust any settings on your computer or device such as equalizers that can affect the sound of your audio input. To get the best possible sound quality for meetings, you can also eliminate background noise by turning off any distracting appliances in rooms where meetings are taking place. Finally, use headphones if available, as this will help block out other sounds and create crystal clear audio for all participants during Zoom meetings.
Photo by Petr Macháček on Unsplash
6. Body Language
FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION
In order to improve your appearance while using Zoom, it is important that you get yourself in a comfortable position. Sitting in a chair or using a stand-up desk can give you more ease and authority during the meeting. It is also essential to use appropriate body language that exudes unpretentious self-confidence, since slouching or looking disinterested might convey the wrong message.
Additionally, it is important to have all the necessary materials on hand for the meeting such as pens, notepads, your phone, and anything else necessary for taking notes or participating actively in the conversation. Finally, don't forget to take care of your basic needs ahead of time such as going to the restroom or having a drink by your side - no one wants to be like #poorjennifer!
Photo by Chris Adamus on Unsplash
EYE CONTACT
Eye contact is one of the most effective ways to engage with others during a virtual meeting.
For hosts, the ideal camera height should be such that they can easily make eye contact with participants' faces on their screens. It is important not to look down at your screen as it could signal a lack of self-confidence while too much eye contact may make the audience uncomfortable. Hosts should alternate between looking at the camera and the screen from time to time and align their eyes movements with what they are saying so that there's an element of confidence in their delivery.
For attendees, eye contact conveys understanding and engagement as well as other nonverbal cues such as nodding along or smiling at certain points. Showing people your eyes also reveals interest in them and implies listening which increases interaction during virtual networking sessions. Eye contact helps build connections, increase engagement and make Zoom conversations more effective by conveying messages beyond words.
You can also show interest with a head tilt.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Smiling is one of the easiest and most efficient things you can do to instantly improve your Zoom appearance. A pleasant, natural smile will make you look more relaxed and confident while giving a positive impression to your audience. The effect is even greater when accompanied by slight eyebrow raises, since these should help you appear more attentive. Additionally, smiling with your eyes - especially when combined with subtle eye contact – will help to convey that although you’re virtually meeting someone else, there’s still a connection between the two of you.
Creating meaningful eye contact is also important. Looking into the camera will indicate you are listening and paying attention. Avoid glancing down or looking away too often as it may be seen as a lack of confidence. To express genuine interest, nod your head and smile while being engaged in conversation to make others feel comfortable. Keeping an upbeat attitude with a pleasant expression during conversations also demonstrates a level of respect to colleagues and people involved in the discussion as well as shows enthusiasm and positivity. However, when speaking always try to be mindful of your facial expressions and don’t let them overpower your words.
POSTURE
You want your body language to match the tone of your message.
Having correct posture during a Zoom call can make all the difference in how you come across. Make sure to sit up straight, with your feet flat on the floor and your back supported by the chair. Always keep your arms uncrossed and use natural hand gestures during conversation - placing them on your stomach, wide apart on your desk, or behind you when leaning are all good placements. You want to be attentive and engaged in what’s being said, so don’t fidget or move around too much. Additionally try to smile even if it might not always be seen through the camera – it will change the tone of your voice and will make you appear more interested and friendly. Properly positioning yourself relative to the camera is also important; if possible look at an angle slightly higher than directly facing the lens so that it looks more natural from other viewers' perspectives. With small adjustments, you'll be sure to look confident and comfortable in no time!
USE YOUR HANDS
Using your hands to indicate speech during a Zoom call can help you maintain the attention of listeners and convey your point more effectively. By waving your hands, you activate the Broca's area of the brain, which improves our thinking and allows for better clarity and structure when conveying thought. Additionally, using both of your hands makes it easier for listeners to connect with what you are saying on an emotional level as well as let them know that you are genuine about what you are saying. Furthermore, this helps establish credibility in the eyes of your audience as it legitimizes your speaking points. Gestures also add visual impact to what is being said by highlighting important chunks of information in order to give them more weight or emphasis. And lastly, using your hands can also communicate strength and conviction behind each point made so that listeners understand that there is no room for negotiation on those points.
Public Speaking Hand Gestures #3 on PublicDomainPictures.Net
MIRROR SPEAKER
Mirroring the speaker on Zoom is an effective way to improve your appearance and strengthen the connection you have with them. Mirroring is a process of copying back someone's behavior, body language, facial expressions and speech patterns during a conversation. This can be done on Zoom by mimicking their posture, gestures, intonation, word choice and content delivery as they speak; learning to observe these traits and then mirror them back to the other person helps to build trust and strengthen rapport quickly. Additionally, when mirroring back what someone says it creates a sense of understanding and agreement between both parties.mirroring also allows both sides to better relate with each other’s messages, find common ground on specific topics or projects discussed in the meeting, leading to smooth collaboration going forward.
VOICE
When speaking in a Zoom call, you want to make sure that your voice conveys the same type of emotion and expression as it would if you were talking face-to-face. It should have the same pitch and tone to match the emotion of the conversation - being too high pitched can come across as lacking empathy, while a low pitch may suggest unpreparedness. To maintain audiences’ engagement, vary your pace when talking and use pauses to allow ideas to sink in. Speaking with enthusiasm helps to convey emotions which will help others connect more with what you're saying. Also, emphasizing keywords every now and then is key; however, be careful not to overdo it or else it might come across as fake. Letting your passion show radiates through the screen and provides an uplifting experience for other on the call. Finally, try and speak from the heart by being sincere in each message - this way, listeners are less likely to distrust your messages and more likely to take them on board.
7. USE CUSTOM DESIGNED BACKGROUNDS
“Let’s talk creative backgrounds. Use them.
Use the space to work harder for you.”
If you're looking to spruce up your Zoom appearance, then a custom-designed Zoom background from Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC is the perfect choice for you! With an experienced team of interior designers, Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC can create a personalized, professional-looking virtual backdrop tailored just for you. Whether you're looking for something subtle and minimalistic or bold and eye-catching, they have the expertise and experience to help make your vision come to life. Not only will it add a touch of personality to your meeting space but it will also give participants a more professional outlook on your business. The custom designed backgrounds are also easy to install – simply upload your design file into Zoom’s settings after purchase. All in all, choosing a quality custom designed backdrop from Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC is an easy way to improve the overall look of your Zoom meetings! Contact me for more information.
Examples of Zoom Backgrounds Created by Julie Ann Rachelle Interiors LLC
Article continued after these images.
How to Upload Your Custom Background, according to zoom:
Enabling Zoom's virtual background on a desktop
The feature can be enabled for a particular user (you!), a group (say a team), an entire account, or a Zoom Room. Check out our advice below on how to enable your virtual background on a case by case basis
FOR YOURSELF
1. Sign in to Zoom.
2. Head over to Settings (this may also appear as Meeting Settings or My Meeting Settings).
3. Tap on the Virtual Background option on the left-hand side of your window (enable the feature if needed).
10. TRY OUT YOUR BACKGROUND
Before joining your next Zoom call, it is important to try out your virtual background beforehand. This will give you the chance to make necessary adjustments ahead of time and ensure that you look presentable on screen right when the call begins. Zoom has a preview option which allows you to test out how your video appears in your virtual background before the call starts. Utilizing this feature is highly recommended so that you don't end up spending anyone's precious time adjusting brightness and angle settings or rearranging hair live during the meeting. With just a few simple steps, participants can be sure that their Zooming appearance is ready for the call and presentable for all attendees!
Before your next meeting, it is essential to try your background, so you don't end up a potato.
my boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and can’t figure out how to turn the setting off, so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting pic.twitter.com/uHLgJUOsXk
— Rachele with an e but pronounced Rachel (@PettyClegg) March 30, 2020
Preview Tips from The Verge:
You want to show up to your meeting already looking good so that you're not adjusting your surroundings, screen brightness, angle, or hair live for everyone to see. (Zoom has) an option for showing you a preview of your video before the call starts. If you select this option, a video preview pops up before you enter a call to check how everything looks.
Conclusion:In conclusion, Zoom is an important tool for many professionals who don’t want to lose the edge in their business and work relationships despite having to interact remotely. To make sure you’re making the best impression on your audience, it’s essential to pay attention to the details when communicating digitally. With the right grooming, video equipment setup, camera angle, lighting, sound quality, body language and even custom designed backgrounds – among other tips mentioned in this blog post – you can ensure that your Zoom events are successful and get results.
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Resources:
Top 3 Zoom Game Changers You May Not Know - Zoom Blog
Tips for Improving Communication During Video Conferencing | Psychology Today, Joe Navarro M.A., 2020-03-31
Your Ultimate Guide To Zoom: Custom Backgrounds, Lighting And Other Hacks, Your Ultimate Guide To Zoom: Custom Backgrounds, Lighting And Other Hacks, Forbes.com, Paul Armstrong, 2020-03-29
How to look your best on a video call - The Verge
Coronavirus: How To Succeed At Video-Conferencing, Forbes.com, Adrian Dearnell, 2020-03-23
10 Body Language Tips for an Engaging Video Conference, TechPillar
Top 10 Must Know Body Language Tips for Video Conferencing | ezTalks
How to Choose the Best Virtual Backgrounds on Zoom Meetings, 4 Tips for Choosing the Best Virtual Backgrounds on Zoom Meetings, Duarte.com, Charity Canny
How to Customize Your Virtual Background on Zoom | Fairygodboss, Stephanie Nieves, 2020-04-01
Zoom Rooms Customized Background – Zoom Help Center
