Tips and Tricks for Presenting Yourself Effectively in a Virtual World

It’s a brave new world for broadcast media. When conducting a video interview, we are on our own—at least partially. No more can we rely on other professionals for hair and make-up, running the camera, and handling the technical side of things. In this new world, there are opportunities and there are pitfalls (re: the GMA reporter’s pants—or lack thereof— debacle). To help you out, the Harbinger team has developed a list of the top tips and tricks for presenting yourself effectively in a virtual world. Read on to learn how to master your next video interview.

Know your talking points.

The whole reason for having a video interview is to come across as the authority on a certain topic and to engage the audience with your charisma and presence. To do this, you must get extremely comfortable with what you are talking about without notes. (Hint: the audience can tell when you’re reading off your notes). We recommend writing a list of your top three to five talking points in an easy, conversational tone and get comfortable with what you plan to say. No memorization needed.

Practice ahead of time

By practice, we don’t just mean rehearsing your talking points. We mean setting up your space, lighting, camera angle, and audio ahead of time and practice with a trusted colleague or partner. This way you’ll know you look and sound your best during the interview. Plus, then you can focus on what’s really important: what you’re saying.

Create flattering lighting.

Find an area of your home that has an abundance of bright, natural lighting. Set up your camera in front of windows so that your face is evenly lit on both sides. Avoid overhead lighting, which can cause unwanted shadows across your face. If you need more light, set up a lamp with soft lighting behind your camera

Find the right angle.

The right camera angle can make a big difference to how you look on camera. If your camera is below and angled up, it can put unnecessary focus on your chin(s) and causes you to hunch over the computer.

The most flattering angle for most people is achieved when the camera is placed at or slightly above your line of sight and angled down. Place a shoe box or several large books under your computer until you find the most flattering angle. Scoot your chair two to three feet away from the camera so that there is some space slightly above your head, and your chest and shoulders are visible on screen.

Use a neutral background. 

Once you’ve identified the perfect space, turn your attention to your backdrop. Make sure the area behind you in the camera is neat and tidy. Too much clutter can draw the viewers’ attention away from you and what you’re saying.

If needed, you can always upload a neutral background with your company branding on it. Make sure to keep it simple.

Eliminate any distractions.

Find a secluded area that is free from any distractions, including roommates, partners, pets, kids, or anything else that may interrupt the interview. Turn off any notifications on your phone or computer that may be distracting.

Test audio before.

Conduct an interview prior to the actual interview to test the audio with a colleague or trusted partner. Find a device that has the highest sound quality with limited background noise. If you live in a noisy area, consider using headphones with a built-in microphone. These often have better sound quality than computers or phones.

Choose your clothing wisely.

Not all clothes are created equal on camera. The colors closest to your face may either highlight your best features or wash you out. In general, pay attention to the colors that work well for you off-camera, but try to avoid the following colors.

• Black and other very dark colors have an aging effect by casting shadows on your face. An entirely black outfit may also give the appearance of a ‘floating head’ if the camera can not pick up definition of your clothes.
• White tends to be too bright on camera, diverting attention from your face.
• Bright red can create a reddish glow on camera.
• Patterns, especially smaller ones, may not render well on camera and can be distracting to the audience

Medium shades of blue or green as well as jewel tones tend to be the most flattering on camera. Also, make sure to wear colors that stand out from your chosen background. For example, I wouldn’t want to wear a camel color when sitting on my camel-colored leather couch.

Lastly, look at the camera.

We mentioned this before and we will mention it again… and again. Make sure to look directly AT the camera. Not at the screen and definitely not at yourself. On most platforms, you can turn off the ‘preview’ box to avoid the temptation and distraction of looking at yourself during the interview. Once more, look at the camera.

If you are preparing for an upcoming interview and would like feedback, reach out to us at The Harbinger Group. We are happy to help you develop your talking points and find your best angle.