How to Choose Your Online Video Background for Your Video Presentations
How to Choose Your Online Video Background for Your Video Presentations
Location, location, location
A great way to communicate important messages to your target audience is the tried and true “talking head” video – where you speak directly to a camera. Simple and versatile – you can be humorous or serious, informative or promotional.
Make or Break!
However, there are several elements that will make or break a talking head video. The purpose of my “making your look good online” series of articles and videos is to teach you how to present yourself effectively on camera.
In my last article, I wrote about 3 Ways to Achieve Great Results using Affordable Equipment. In this article I will talk about choosing the right location to set up your equipment. This should not be taken lightly or treated as an afterthought.
A poor background choice will detract from you and your key messages (as demonstrated by Binxie in the above image). Don’t laugh! I see this a lot with online videos (especially with home-office based businesses). Laundry and clothes piles, cluttered bookshelves, paper stacks, messy/dirty looking walls or office spaces.
My first-impression is “SLOB”. To me, slob equals slobby thinking and slobby living, so why would I want to invest my time listening to their video message? Truthfully, how good is their video message likely to be when their home/office is in disarray?
With just a glance, people have judged your social and economic level, your level of education, and your level of success. Within minutes, they’ve decided your level of intelligence, trustworthiness, competence, friendliness, and confidence.”
1st Impressions are Crucial
- A Study by Harvard Health & Sciences
Influence and persuasion expert Olivia Cabane, states that: “You only get one chance to create a good first impression. Within a few seconds, with just a glance, people have judged your social and economic level, your level of education, and even your level of success. Within minutes, they’ve also decided your level of intelligence, trustworthiness, competence, friendliness, and confidence.”
Yikes! And that’s based on meeting you in the flesh. Imagine how that translates to your online videos, where viewers can replay and pause your presentation!
My recommendation would be to always present your best self and remember to set the scene for your video presentations!
Pre-Production Planning
In “movie speak” everything done before filming is called Pre-production. I’m a big believer in the 6 P approach. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
If you have followed my online personal branding series to date, you will have already identified your target audience. Ask yourself, how you want to be perceived by your target audience? What is the visual impression you want to make on them?
Don’t Make This Common Mistake
Many people use their webcam on their computers - this is a no-no for quality reasons alone. But what I find most unprofessional about webcams, is that the background is by default the room the computer is located in.
Unless you are in the adult entertainment industry – this is not the approach I recommend!
Maybe it is the presenter’s living room or kitchen in the background (which may be ok if you are presenting about interior design or cooking) – but alarmingly, some people have their computer set up in the bedroom. Unless you are in the adult entertainment industry – this is not the approach I recommend! Dark, or low light level rooms should be avoided too, especially if you are back-lit i.e. back to a window.
Yes, you can certainly film your online video presentations in your home (I do) – but use a camera on a tripod and choose a background that ties in with your key messages. For most people a simple wall is best.
Some Simple Suggestions
- Thought leaders may choose to film themselves in front of their library of books, awards, published works etc to reinforce the “I’m an expert” perception
- Some product placement in the background may be appropriate – for example, if you are a rising artist you might feature your art in the background
- Or if you are a jeweler you might wear your jewelry pieces while presenting to camera – but be careful that your products don’t distract from your key messages (unless you deliberately intend to refer to them in your presentation)
- Your company logo or your brand colors may also be appropriate for a background – but again – make sure they don’t overpower you or the setting.
If in doubt, leave it out and opt for a simple, blank wall about 7 feet x 7 feet. It should have a matt finish (to reduce glare) and be free of marks and scratches – if you are shooting on HD they will show up! White walls are ok, but you will need good lighting to reduce outline shadows around your head and body (more on that in future articles).
Things to Avoid Folks!
TV’s or computer monitors in the background (again dependent on who your target audience is). Flashing images and pop ups catch the viewer’s eye and can seriously detract from your presentation. Don’t do what this banker did in the background of a live interview!
Also, try to find a place to film where you can reduce any background noises and hums that can interfere with your audio recording.
- Air conditioning, fluorescent lights and fridges should be turned off – just make sure to turn them back on when you are done!
In my next article I will talk about how to frame your shot correctly– and the psychological effect of camera angles this can have on your audience.
If this is all new for you, let me know in the comment section below about what you found most helpful? Tell me what your biggest challenges are when it comes to presenting to a camera – or with creating your own Video Presentations?
Remember, you can always suggest a topic or ask a question (below) and the TakeTwo Team will endevour to answer it in future “TakeTwo Video Presentation Coaching” episodes. If you enjoyed this content – sign-up to receive our email updates.
Always listening and cheering you on with your online video presentations!
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