Having a good setup for video conferences can make a big difference in how you come across to other people, not just at work. If your video background is neat and tidy, the lighting is good, and your audio is clear, it will give people the impression that you're professional and competent. Taking the time to get your video conferencing setup right will help you make a good impression on colleagues, customers or business partners. In addition, a good setup is enjoable looking at and easy listen to.
In case you want to step up the game with some semi-professional equipment, I can warmly recommend you having a look at my custom setup:
- EOS M200 - Camera
- Dummy Batterypack - Direct Powersupply
- Elgato Camlink - USB Adapter
- USB Ringlight - Facelight
- Various Mounts
- Philips Hue - Ambient Lights
- Optional: Blue Yeti X - Broadcasting Microphone
No need to stress! You don't have to get everything all at once. A few changes can make your setup look more professional quickly. Here are some ideas on how to upgrade your setup bit by bit.
In short:
Bring a good quality webcam, microphone and some nice lightning.
Visuals
The first step in making your video setup look professional is ideally to invest in a high-quality webcam. Built-in webcams are the easiest option, but if you're setting up a static space, it might be worth looking into getting an external webcam, connecting your smartphone camera or even plugging in a DSLR camera similiar shown in the examples above.
Sound
Achieving the perfect audio quality is the cherry on top. Imagine watching a movie: if the picture quality isn't great or it's slow, it's still okay to watch but if the sound is messed up, it'll be really annoying.
Most laptops come with built-in mics and software that work pretty well, so you don't need to go through the hassle of setting up external mics. To make things even better, you can add noise cancelling software to run in the background. If your machine has an NVIDIA graphics card, RTX Voice is a great option for getting rid of background noise.
In case you are going with external equipments you should consider getting a stativ, also known as a tripod. This is a great tool to use for your tech stuff, like your camera, phone or mic. It will help keep them steady and the same height during your hangout.
Setting your scene
Having the perfect atmosphere for your workspace is all about getting the lighting just right. Lighting is super important when it comes to making your video look awesome!
Try not to sit with your back to a window or anything that gives off light, 'cause it'll make your face look too dark. Instead, put a lamp or ring light in front of you so the lighting looks good and even. Try to stay away from flickering or lights thats shining from below, as they can make your face look weird.
The background of your video is just as important as the quality of your webcam and microphone. Ensure that your workspace is clean, uncluttered, and ideally intersting to look at. This can mean bringing some decorations, plants or artworks to the meeting. Placing some lights around the scene can have an huge impact too.
Just play around and place some lights on bookshelves or cabinets, or even around the perimeter of your room. You can try out different colors to give off different vibes, or even mix shades of your brand's colors.
Experiment, get creative and you don’t have to turn on any virtual background image again!
In conclusion, creating a professional-looking video setup is easier than you might think. Investing in good tech, getting the lighting right and making sure your background looks cool will help you look great on your next video call - until the internet surprisingly starts being dodgy! :P
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