On-Camera: All Day Every Day
Imagine you get called by Good Morning America to appear live to talk about your experience with Shelter in Place. How would you plan for this highly-visible TV appearance? Would you carefully select your wardrobe or throw something together? Would you practice in front of a mirror or wing it? Would you care how you came across to your national audience or throw caution to the wind?
Of course you would care. You would put special thought into every detail because you would be appearing on broadcast television. This same thought process needs to go into every presentation you make--live or remote.
Because of the coronavirus, we are all “on-camera personalities.” We need to treat every team meeting, sales call, and client success check-in with the same importance as a national TV appearance.
The impression you give on-camera can help boost your sales, build respect from your professional peers, and help advance your career. When we are prepared and look professional on-camera, people listen and our words resonate.
I recently joined a webinar and as the presenters turned on their video, I was surprised at how they appeared. One was not centered on-screen, another had the camera to the side showing the side of his face, and a third was looking down into her computer camera with about half-a-screen of “head room” that made her look more like a floating head than a complete person. It was distracting and disconcerting.
We need to stop thinking of these as just Zoom or Microsoft Team calls, and think about them as on-camera opportunities where everyone is watching!
People have been forced to communicate via video since March and the internet has been replete with performance tips for this new normal, but individuals are still falling short of making professional on-camera appearances. Here are three areas of advice as you prepare for your daily on-camera opportunities.
HOW IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS ON TV (OR ON SCREEN):
You should be paying close attention to your environment. Your background should not be distracting nor should you be pinned against a white wall. Experiment with different rooms, camera angles, and perspectives. Try to find a neutral background that is pleasing to the eye. Also make sure you have good audio quality and that you don’t sound echoey or hollow. To improve sound quality, put pillows or a blanket on the other side of your computer to absorb excess sound. Do a screen and audio test before your on-camera opportunity to test how it looks and sounds.
HOW YOU LOOK ON TV:
Dress as you would for an in-person meeting or that appearance on Good Morning America. Solid colors are best for on-camera appearances and always avoid tightly patterned clothing.
Beyond your attire, also pay close attention to how you are framed by the camera. Position your camera at eye level, center yourself in the frame, and follow the “TWO INCH RULE.” The two-inch rule states that you should have no more than two inches of space above your head and the frame should extend down to just-below your diaphragm.
HOW YOU PERFORM “ON-CAMERA”:
Finally, how you come across to your audience is one of the most important parts of being your new on-camera persona. Be personal, bring energy, and drive engagement. Make eye contact with your camera, not your screen. Gesture. Even if your gestures are off-screen, gesturing adds energy and intonation to your voice. Gesturing also helps trigger facial expressions that make you more authentic and expressive. And smile, bring your personality, and talk to your camera, not at it.
I spent 20 years of my career as a television journalist consumed with analyzing how people appear and sound on-camera. By thinking about your communication opportunities as on-camera appearances you will be more effective, more engaging, more prepared, and more professional. People will notice and you will benefit.