TV Anchor vs. Zoom Host

 TV Anchor 

• Reads from a teleprompter.
• Professional training
• Years of practice
• Wardrobe budget
• Makeup and hair department
• TV Director/Producer, News Director
• Big budget

YOU on Zoom

• On your own

Is it important to come across like a TV anchor every Zoom, MeetUp, GoToMeeting, etc.? 

No, but your audience sees you as a TV personality, like it or not. 

The best chance to communicate with your peers or audience is to show some respect for them by showing interest in factors you can control.

 Zoom is NOT a phone-in conference call. 

 Sound – Think about the sound, of course, you want everyone to hear you clearly. If you are using the built-in microphone from your laptop or webcam, your audience will notice any background noise. 

Why? Because the further you are from the microphone, the more your voice must compete with other family members, street noise, and sometimes pets.

Consider either using your cell phone earpods or an external microphone. I recommend a USB mic plugged directly into your computer. 

 https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-usb-microphones

If you can not minimize the distance from your mouth to the microphone, do not select "use original sound" allowing Zoom to minimize the distractions. 

Camera – Think about your camera. Almost any webcam or built-in laptop camera is of good quality. But that isn't enough. Consider your lighting, background, shiny jewelry, etc. You have no wardrobe assistant or hair/makeup department. 

• Most important for eye contact - elevate the camera (or laptop) to allow you to look eye-to-eye with the tiny camera lens. That is where your audience is.

• You should face a window. Avoid having a window behind you.
• Position your camera so the top of your head at the top of your screen,  allowing more of you to be seen. Ideally, we should see from the top of your head to about the 3rd button on a shirt or blouse. 
• I strongly recommend you avoid virtual backgrounds. Most people don't pull it off well, so it becomes a distraction. 
• Take note of the background. A blank wall is best. Position yourself more than 4 feet from that wall. Choose a light-color wall to avoid an embarrassing and ugly "virtual background" 
• Don’t wear clothing the same color as your virtual background. No one wants to be a floating head!
• Use a soft light on your face. An 18" ring light is a good alternative. My favorite - DVE Store 18" ring light 

Training - Zooming is not a natural activity for most of us. It takes TV anchors years of practice in small markets before they get to the networks.

Presentation Coach, Ray Franklin, will help you analyze and improve your opportunities with a 30-minute one-on-one session.

 Aspire to be the best image among the 30+ others in your next virtual meeting. 

 Recent comments from people who were coached by Ray Franklin.

 "Wow, this will help me close more sales."

"Thanks, I think people will take me more seriously."

"I guess I have been complacent lately. I blame it on Zoom fatigue." 

 Take the initiative. 

Contact ray@presentationcoachray.com to arrange training for you or your entire team. 

You too will be the proud TV anchor of your next virtual meetings. 

Share this blog with your friends who also want to excel every time they participate in a virtual meeting. 

 presentationcoachray.com