Your Webcam Is Your 1990s Button-Up Shirt

The pandemic has changed everything, so turn your camera on

First impressions are everything, but lasting impressions matter even more.

None of us can escape the changes thrust upon us by the pandemic. Netflix bingeing has taken over our home lives, while Zoom has dominated our work lives. Things are different, and we’re all still adapting. By now, most of us have learned that just turning on your camera isn’t enough to be professional. We all have to take our video setups to the next level.

It’s hard to figure out the proper video etiquette. Most people don’t have their desks in the correct position. Their lighting is substandard, and some are not comfortable showing their homes. There are so many choices, it’s stifling.

How many times have you joined a video meeting and your mic didn’t work? You hunt around for the correct settings while others wait in awkward silence. Everyone pretends to be polite, but they’re wondering why you didn’t test your setup ahead of time.

It’s a strange new world. The pandemic has woven our business existence into the video. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you won your next job over video. From job interviews to investor meetings and your day-to-day video isn’t going away.

So, you need to spend time getting your setup right, and it isn’t hard.

If you think it isn’t important or you’re struggling to figure out how to get your laundry out of the camera view, read on.

People Want To See You

You look a little creepy when you show up to meetings with no video. I mean, if you were at the office, you’d see the same people in person. It’s a bit awkward for everyone if you’re the lone person with a weird avatar. A picture of your cat doesn’t help either.

In these times, it’s important to continue to build relationships. The pandemic has removed the office water cooler, so we depend on the video to stay connected. It’s a part of the new human condition. We’re all starving for some form of normality. Without day-to-day contact, your video settings are the next best thing.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so the video has to be much more. Spending a little time to make sure that people can see you will work wonders for your relationships. We exist in a new reality, and we all have to suck it up and make it work.

If you’re applying for a job, people need to see you. If you’re collaborating on a complex problem, looking into someone’s eyes helps. The video even helps for venting. It’s more human if you can see your office mate nod their heads while you complain about another office mate.

The bottom line is you don’t want to seem rude. You need to lean into this new state of being. Imagine if, before the pandemic, you called into a meeting from your desk rather than showing up. It would be off-putting to your co-workers. Everyone else’s time is as valuable as yours. They spent the time to respect the meeting, and so should you.

Let There Be Light

For people to see your beautiful face, you need proper lighting. If you’re lucky, you are facing a magical direction where natural light works in your favor.

If you’re like most of us, your room is dark, and your back might be to the window. If this is the case, you get a glare, and cameras don’t like pointing into light.

So this means you gotta think about it. For my setup, I use my SLR (not recommended) with two-panel lights. I clicked a button and changed settings until it looked ok.

I tried Home Depot lights. I tried a lamp. I even faced the window until my paranoia took over, forcing me to turn my desk back around. After a bit of trial and error, I lucked my way into the right settings.

Don’t Forget a Mic

Sound is important too. There’s nothing worse than a crappy mic with muffled or tinny sound.

How many meetings have you joined where it’s a group effort to fix someone’s sound? Everyone shouts, “I can’t hear you,” or they’re pointing at their ear, miming that they can’t hear the speaker.

Your job is a professional environment. People want to hear from you. We all need to do our best to ensure that we maintain the integrity of the businesses we run or work for. It’s essential to understand that this is the proverbial suit and tie.

A few weeks ago, I interviewed a guy for a job. We spent fifteen precious minutes trying to set up his sound with hand signals. Once he connected his not-so-expensive headphones, they rattled. I cut the interview short because I felt he’d wasted my time.

With a sour taste in my mouth, it was difficult to listen to his answers. We passed on him and moved to another candidate.

Get Rid Of Your Distracting Background

There’s a reason video applications enable you to set a virtual background. Your laundry in the background and the people walking through your space is only interesting the first time.

It may seem overstated, but it’s about being a professional. Ask yourself if you’re showing respect to the company you work for or the people you work with. What’s the best way to show them that you don’t take their time for granted? What about customers, and how do you best represent your company?

Trust me, if you’re that person with shenanigans in the background, people notice. I bet they’ve tried to say subtle things, hoping you’d pick up clues. So if you haven’t picked up on their clues, I’ll say it for them. Please address the circus going on in the background.

I use a green screen because I got tired of checking what’s in my background. I chose to control the experience for me and my audience. In Zoom, I select “I have a green screen,” then I choose the picture, and presto, I’m ready to conduct business.

With thirty seconds of thought and ten minutes of effort, I leveled up my video game. Tracking down a backdrop before you need one will save you countless awkward moments.

Your Kids Are Awesome, But We Don’t Want To Hear Them

We all love our kids. It’s fun to share a little of yourself and let people in. There’s a good chance that your close colleagues flash a more-than-polite smile when they see them.

This is all great, but there’s a limit. Sometimes kid energy and business meetings aren’t synergistic. They aren’t exactly oil and water, but you get the picture. There’s only so much noise cancellation mics can do, so you’ll have to set some boundaries around your workplace.

We all need to maintain a level of decorum. While we all wait out the pandemic, we’ll have to control our environment. Dogs are cute, and kids are awesome, but business is business.

Tips

• Get a mic. Make sure you check the setting that reduces keyboard noise. Plug a mic into your computer to eliminate keyboard noise. You can find the mic I use here.
• Get a proper camera, or at least spend a little time making sure the angle is professional. I mean, we could all continue to look up your nose or down on your head, but we’d prefer not to. Here’s my camera:

• Get soft light. I ended up buying light panels after trying standard stuff around the house. It all worked, but I opted for lights I could mount to my desk and control via remote. There are cheaper solutions, but here’s what I ended up with. You can find the lights I use here.

I am no expert, but I found a video that does a great job of explaining the basics. It’s easier than you think.