Conference Call Tips to Look & Sound Great

Remote work has all but guaranteed that video calls are here to stay. Being on camera can be cause for anxiety, but for some people and some industries, it may be unavoidable. If you have a job that frequently requires you to be on camera, here are some tips to help you look and sound your best. Whether you’re giving an interview, meeting with clients, pitching an idea, or just talking with coworkers, you’ll be able to put your best face forward.

Let in the Light

If you need to be on camera, it’s vital that your audience can see you.! Think about where you’ve placed your computer setup and how it relates to the light in the room. If you’re in an interior room, make sure it’s well-lit from all angles. You may want to consider purchasing a ring light to provide adequate light to your face, or place a lamp directly behind your camera to ensure that you can be seen.

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If your office has a window, make sure that your face is aimed at natural light, and supplemented with lamps, if necessary. If your face needs to be visible, you should make sure that you’re well-lit and looking your best. No one should ever have to ask you to move to a location with better light because they cannot see you clearly. Visibility is important for connecting with virtual audiences.

“If you find yourself on camera every day, the microphone that’s built into your computer might not work as well as you need it to.”

Consider Your Equipment

Once you’re well-lit, take stock of what kind of equipment you’re using to conduct your video calls. If your computer’s built-in camera isn’t up to snuff, you may want to invest in a nicer one or use your smartphone, as it likely has a nicer camera than your laptop. If your position requires it, you may even want to use a DSLR to ensure that you’re projecting a high-quality image.

Once you’ve assessed your camera, consider your microphone: if you find yourself on camera every day, the microphone that’s built into your computer might not work as well as you need it to. A nicer model can help to filter out background noise and give you an air of authority.

Of course, investing in nicer equipment won’t be cheap, but you may be able to get your job to help pay for it if it’s necessary for your position.

Look Your Best

Since you’re on camera, you’ll be fully visible to your audience, which means you should take the time to consider aesthetics. This includes but is not limited to:

How you look
Your environment

Take time to look your best. This could mean makeup or spending a little extra time on your appearance and wearing something that’s appropriate for your position and the call. You may way to dress professionally if you need to make a good impression or if you’re making a formal presentation. You know how to dress for your position and audience; aim for the best version of that.

You’ll also want to consider your background. If your home office is messy and cluttered, it will distract from the things you’re saying. You want people to focus on you and not on your messy desk or bookshelf. Invest in a backdrop such as a simple hanging sheet. Microsoft Teams supports the ability to blur your background or use a virtual background.

Before hopping on your conference call, test all your audio and visual settings ahead of time to ensure that there are no hiccups. If you’re giving a presentation during this call, double check that your documents and programs are loading as they should, so that everything goes smoothly.

The most important thing is to be prepared. Make sure that you have all the equipment you need and know how to use it, and take the time to practice what you’re going to say and look your best. For more tips, check out Microsoft 365’s guide to overcoming anxiety, connect with virtual audiences, and write a winning presentation.