Four ways to create a better Zoom meeting or recording
Here are a few simple tips to create a better quality Zoom meeting.
Generally speaking we want to think of it as as nice of a studio setting as you can get it so that it's comfortable for you and you're listening audience and that it's well lit and the audio is good quality and there are minimal distractions.
One of the best things you can do is test it yourself whether you're on a computer or a tablet or a phone test the setting that you're in and make a mock meeting and see if you think it looks good and sounds good and the other people will respond favorably to it.
1. Create a “studio” space
The studio space does not have to be an expensive or elaborate professional environment. Creating a studio space means creating an environment that is pleasant, comfortable uncluttered, well lit, and that has good sound quality without too many distracting sounds. Think of it like it's an interview set and you're going to be having some very special guest sitting down talking to you so you want all the things around you to be pleasant. Maybe there are some plants or nice pictures eliminate all the clutter or junk hanging around or if you have a nice pleasant color wall or some thing that's neutral that just makes it a nice calm environment.
2. Focus on audio & sound
Try to think about how you're recording your sound. Are you using the computers microphone for example, or do you have a nice external microphone you can plug-in that will improve the sound quality of your zoom meeting? And make sure when you're speaking that it's not a echo chamber and then it sounds sharp and that you're speaking loudly enough but not too loud so that people can hear you clearly and keep an eye distractions and he sounds around you that may be distracting to the call. Dogs, cars, cell phones, televisions, radios, or anything else that will make distracting sounds during your zoom call can be very distracting.
So as they say in the movie business “all quiet on the set.” Oh and one other great tip for sound is using your Smart phone voice recorder to record your sound as a back up. Simply start your app and start recording and leave it there facing forward and you can record your audio as a back up in case you need better quality audio. I have personally recorded hundreds of podcast episodes myself using my iPhone voice recorder in a walk-in closet where the sound is dampened and nice and soft and it comes out excellent.
3. Be sure to work on lighting
Lighting is constantly changing in very important. It's very important that people can see you so you can have a good digital conversation. Do you want to make sure that the environment is neither too dark or too bright. And you wanna watch how lighting changes so for example notice how bright sunlight or a cloudy day affects the lighting in your recording area. Or notice how lighting changes when you turn on certain lights.
4. Preparation is important
Preparing for any meeting or event is always a good idea so that you know what you're talking about you're comfortable in the setting and it just makes for a much smoother conversation and guarantees that the point of the conversation or meeting gets across.
So preparing your environment which is you're setting your lighting and your sound is equally important in preparation as is the material you'll be discussing. But it's also important to relax tonight over prepare. So just prepare enough for a fun relaxing and rewarding conversation.
Helpful videos:
How to create better video: Scenery (Short video) https://youtube.com/shorts/aDBsoQWQk8g
How to create better video: Audio (Short video) https://youtu.be/M3O53e--RLA
How to create better video: Lighting (Short video)https://youtube.com/shorts/6PHVVq4BalI?feature=share
How to create better video: Testing (Short video)https://youtube.com/shorts/FtAmRfTdezc
How to create better Zoom Calls and video (15 min. video) https://youtu.be/3KGJTD62j6M
About Mitchell Creative Group
Mitchell Creative Group, LLC is a micro-virtual creative agency outside of Boston— leveraging over 25 years professional experience with some of the biggest brands in the world, providing high-level creative support— quickly, and at a fair, flexible price. Branding and identity, marketing and advertising, packaging, web and print, film and video, podcasting and new media.