Zoom meetings or hybrid-zoom meetings are here to stay for a while.
Here are some suggestions to help with them:
Suggestions from Alista Peters:
Setting
Device position - Set your device at a proper distance (18 inches to 2 feet for sitting) and height so your facial expressions and upper body gestures can be well perceived. Make sure your face is positioned in the centre of the screen.
Background – Move anything distracting from your background before the meeting begins or use virtual backgrounds.
Camera – Position at eye level to maintain maximum engagement with the audience so that your hair is at the top of the picture. Use a tripod or positioning on a stable and appropriate object to maintain stability.
Lighting - Ensure there is enough light on you. Ceiling lighting puts your eyes in the shade. If there is a light behind you or to the side of you, your face will be too dark or in the shadows. A ring-light positioned behind your camera and in front of you is recommended.
Appearance
Dress - Similar to giving an in-person speech, you should look fresh and professional in front of an online device. Dress with appropriate attire for your upper body. Don’t worry about your lower section as long as it’s outside the scope of the camera lens.
Spectacles - If you wear them, ensure the reflection of your device screen or other light source does not block your eyes. If your audience only sees a bright shiny pair of glasses on your face instead of a bright shiny pair of eyes, this will distract from staying engaged.
Stand tall or sit down – Avoid slouching over if you’re sitting and use good posture while you’re on camera. Power pose to feel more confident.
Delivery
Camera - Look directly at the camera when you speak, not at the people on the screen. Imagine your audience is sitting right behind it and you’re talking to them. Moving yourself closer to or further away from the camera to dramatize your speech.
Gestures – You can still use hand gestures and facial expressions as you’re speaking. Just stay within the camera frame.
Stage - Your stage may be too small to move around in front of a device but you can still be effective. Stay within the frame.
Notes – If you need to use them, place Post-it Notes around your screen near the camera, this allows you to read from your notes without distracting the audience by looking away.
Powerpoint Slides Screenshare – Ensure they are not too cluttered with information that will distract the audience from what you’re saying. Three to five point per slide is recommended.
Lo Luong Lo suggests: I’m always seated because I have a green screen behind me which is needed for virtual backgrounds. It isn’t tall enough for me if I stand up. So, I’m restricted to sitting only.
In using notes (both Word and PowerPoint), I use both my monitor screen and paper.
For prepared speeches – screen. For debates and evaluations – mostly paper.
Improving (from D91 TM ZoomMasters):
a) Virtual background
Why a 'green background'?
https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2020/09/19/use-green-screen-to-change-zoom-background/
b) Your lighting
Good lighting and a normal camera is better than a good camera and normal lighting:
A ring 💍 light with the current camera can improve the image.
https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/photography-led-selfie-ring-light-16cm-stepless-lighting-dimmable-with-cradle-head-for-makeup-youtube-facebook-video-live-studio_p8044767.html
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/harte-led-work-lamp-black-silver-colour-70266987/
c) Your microphone
Something special for sitting or standing up:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZINGYOU-Microphone-BM-800-Double-layer-Broadcasting/dp/B01MZCS8MY/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=microphone+kit&psr=EY17&qid=1606566300&s=black-friday&sr=1-3