how to improve the quality of your video calls (1/3)

Times have drastically changed in the course of the past few months. More and more people are working from home than ever before. 

You’re probably taking more video conference calls and attending more online events than you have ever had; that’s why now is the perfect time to step up your game when it comes to video calling so that your co-workers or collaborators can hear and/or see properly and in high quality. 

Here are a few effective tools and strategies that you can implement to make sure you look and sound crystal-clear in your calls:

• Focus on good lighting: When it comes to having a good visual presence, natural light is your friend. You don’t want to be in direct sunlight, but facing a window will be a good start as it will help you have soft and even light on your face. If you don’t have windows, take other light sources such as a desktop lamp or a floor lamp and put it somewhere behind your computer screen. Alternatively, you also use a ring light. You might have to experiment and try a few things out to arrive at a solution that is both convenient for you and helps you look good. 
• Position your camera in the right way: It’s a common mistake to not position your camera correctly for video conferencing. Before you begin your calls, always make sure that your camera is at eye level, not below it or above it. This might mean elevating your desktop monitor or laptop computer over a piece of furniture or a stack of books. Make sure you’re not too close to the camera–your head and shoulders should show and the top of your head should be at the top of the frame. In case you’re recording a talking-head video or giving a presentation, it’s a good idea to move a little bit away from your computer so that people can see your hand movements as you talk. In addition,  If you’re on the go and using a phone, keep in mind that it’s in the horizontal orientation as it’ll appear better on the computer screens that other people might be using. Also, like a computer or a laptop, rest your phone on a stand or another support at eye level instead of holding it for a better-quality video.