These days, we’re in the business of helping you shift your events into virtual spaces - but whether you’re tapping us for guidance or going it alone, there are some practices that can help you get the best results from your virtual event! Here are some tips for optimizing your attendees’ experience, and hosting the most effective video conference possible:
TIP ONE: MAKE SURE TO WEAR VIDEO-FRIENDLY CLOTHING.
Solid colors translate better and are less distracting on camera than busy patterns. This is true not only for shirts, but for ties, scarves, and other accessories as well! But avoid wearing bright white, as it can throw off the light balance within the video and make it harder to see your features.
You’ll want to watch out for jewelry that reflects light or makes noise, like bangles or flashy earrings. You also want to avoid any jewelry that you may fidget with, as this can also be distracting to viewers.
And if possible, avoid wearing glare-inducing glasses. If you cannot avoid it, adjust the placement of the camera to help minimize the glare.
TIP TWO: SET UP YOUR ROOM FOR SUCCESS.
Before your video conference or webinar, consider the location of your camera, and get a sense of the light that will be present in the room during the time of day you’ll be recording or presenting. Make sure that there will be enough light for viewers to see you clearly, and be cautious of any backlighting that may cast shadows on your face.
Tidy your background if needed to minimize distractions for your audience. (Whatever you can see on the camera will also be seen by viewers on the other end!)
And lastly, make sure you are presenting in a private area. Try to record/present in a room that’s separate from others, to discourage interruptions.
Give us a shout for more help setting the “stage” for your virtual event!
TIP THREE: LEAVE SPACE FOR ENGAGEMENT.
Just because you may be alone in your physical space doesn’t mean you’re alone during your video conference! Use the chat features within your presentation app to request questions, host conversation, and take polls during your talk. Place opportunities for engagement throughout your talk, and keep the tone conversational whenever possible. Lean into the more casual nature of webinars and video-based conferences, and use it to create a more authentic connection than you might by standing on a physical stage.
And when it comes to your slides, throw all thoughts of “death by PowerPoint” out the window! When hosting a video conference or webinar, you don’t have the advantage of a physical environment to keep your audience engaged - so make sure your slides are visually interesting and that you’re switching up your visuals frequently throughout your presentation. Your audience will also be viewing your slides on smaller screens at home, so limit key talking points to 1-2 per slide and use larger font sizes when possible.
We hope these tips are helpful as you plan your virtual events!