Online Meeting Tips, Tricks, and Disasters

In the last month I have done 5-7 online meetings. You know, the ‘on camera’ Zoom type where you see and hear everyone.

Don’t worry…I did ok. There were no Zoom disasters where a kid walks in on you, or your camera falls and shows you are not wearing pants (real things that have NOT happened to me).

At some point during one of the sessions, I realized there is very little info ever passed on when you get started in the online world… especially when it comes to broadcasting or recording yourself.

So, I jotted down some things that might help someone elevate their on-camera persona. 

Tips for Online Presentations & Meetings – Tips, Tricks & Disasters

Here are seven tips in no particular order.

1. Get the Camera to Eye Level

I like laptops as much as the next person. They are convenient and easy to move from place to place. One thing that can elevate your appearance is to simply elevate your laptop (or camera). Putting a laptop on a kitchen table creates an angle where we are looking up someone’s nose. When I travel and must get on a meeting with my laptop, I look for something to elevate my camera to eye level. A box, suitcase, garbage can, or anything I can set my laptop on.

Handy Tool: Tracy and I have one of these stands. It is convenient for traveling when you have a remote Bluetooth keyboard and helps elevate the camera. This stand will NOT be high enough for eye level, but I have found it on a table, on top of my backpack, or a box, and it works great.

2. Check Your Background

I have mixed feelings about background images, computer-generated backgrounds, blurred backgrounds, someone on a beach, the moon, or a football game. Regarding backgrounds, I will say, “As long as it is not distracting it works.”

Handy Tool: I picked up a program called CAMO that allows me to ‘frame’ my shot. It just gives you a bit more control. You can find it here.

3, Mute Is Your Friend

Here is a good rule of thumb. If you are not talking, keep your setting on mute. It is usually a quick button right on your screen. If you are wondering if we can hear the TV playing in the other room, we can. If you are wondering if we can hear your dog barking in the backyard, we can. Cough, sneeze, hiccups, ceiling fan noise…yep…all for everyone to hear. Keeping it on mute makes sure nothing gets out you don’t want to hear (like a kid or spouse yelling in the background) and makes the entire line clearer for everyone.

4. It’s Not Dinner Time for Everyone

I get it; we all have busy schedules, and this 30-minute webinar might be the perfect time for you to grab a snack or heat that bowl of noodles. By all means, I will not stand between you and your nutrition. But…TURN OFF THE CAMERA. Let’s be honest, no one wants to see you eating.

Sure, you might think you can get away with grabbing a quick peanut M&M (you can’t, I saw you, Carl) but save the rest of us from watching you eat and turn off the camera during that time.

5. Decent Headphones / Mic

No one expects you to go out and get a great mic and speaker setup. Unless you make a business by presenting online, it is probably not worth the money. That said, a good pair of headphones typically fits the bill. I personally like Apple products (especially if you are using an Apple computer). Still, there are a lot of great headphones out there.

I’m vain enough to get black ones…it just seems less distracting to me.

6. Look at the Camera

This is probably one of the hardest things to master…and I’m still bad at it. If you want to connect with the viewer, look directly into your camera…not the people on the screen. It is commonplace for everyone to look at the screen, so don’t think you are out of place if that is where your eye stays, but if you are about to talk for a while or tell a story…look right at the camera for some great eye contact.

7. Light Me Up!

If you are just attending a meeting, I wouldn’t worry too much about lighting. Just have a couple of lights on in front of you, and you are probably good to go.

If you are presenting, however, I would upgrade it a bit. A good Ring Light in front of you is portable and perfect for lighting one person. Look for one that is LED whenever possible.

Handy Tool: I use a Lume Cube Ring Light, but plenty on Amazon are under $40.

That’s it. If you follow these seven tips, I guarantee you will get noticed and up your online meeting game! Did I miss a great tip? Send me an email and let me know…I’m always looking for good ideas to share.