Best Zoom Tips From A Video Marketing Agency

Check out these professional Zoom video tips from a video marketing agency

As a video production agency owner, I specialize in making videos look great, no matter what form of video.

And, I’ve got some great tips for you!

Zoom is a new frontier for many of you while working in quarantine!

I believe that following these simple tips, will not only make a great first impression, but a long-lasting impression.

Improve Your Background Quality

Any great video marketing agency or film expert understands that the background is as important as the foreground which contains your subject. They work in harmony to create a great camera angle.

The mindset is that you want your background to eliminate distractions and in doing so, direct more focus to the subject speaking in the foreground.

This is a common approach used in Movies and TV, where directing the focus of the viewer is critical. Have you ever noticed in movies that the background is blurry when someone is talking? This is why.

So, how does this relate to your Zoom calls?

The video marketing agency approach says that your background should be clean and simple. Again, this will help you eliminate distractions, and keep the focus on your content.

So, what can you do to improve your background?

To start, eliminate clutter. You don’t want a bunch of stuff lying around in the background causing distractions. The emptier the better.

But what if you just don’t have that option?

Or, what if you are self-conscious of your surroundings, or may have kids scampering through your film set?

No problem!

You can always consider using a virtual background. Zoom now offers virtual backgrounds, where you can take an image of your choice and automatically green-screen it behind you.

Please don’t use the stock photos that are supplied, such as outer-space, and giant blades of grass. They’re very distracting. I’d suggest going on google, finding a picture of a clean room (such as a bedroom or living room), and use that instead.

This looks way more professional and you will never have to give another thought to your background quality!

Light Like A Video Marketing Agency

Pretty much every video marketing agency will say the same thing:

Lighting is a make or break in production quality.

With your zoom calls, it’s important that you illuminate yourself as best as you can.

With a couple of small changes, you can even increase your charisma on camera.

The first thing is to make sure you have the strongest source of light, shining on you.

Oftentimes, there is more light behind you or in front of you, and it looks very distracting.

Remember, we want to eliminate distractions.

Whether you’re using natural lighting (window with daylight) or an artificial light source (a lamp or light stand), make sure your key source of light is focused on you.

Here’s an example a person using Zoom who is well illuminated:

Here’s an example of what NOT to do with your lighting. This lighting is too extreme, and this guy looks like he’s a villain of some kind.

You don’t want to look like a villain in your video calls, you want to look like the Hero!

Eyes

Now for the tip on Charisma. Make sure your eyeballs are illuminated.

I know it’s cliche, but the eyes are the windows to the soul, and if your eyes are glowing (from the light) it will increase your charisma, and make you look more trustworthy.

It’s strictly psychological, but oh man does it work well. No good guy in any movie has eyes that aren’t professionally illuminated.

See if you can use this lighting trick to your advantage.

Frame Like A Video Marketing Agency

Here’s another film strategy our video marketing agency uses that allows you to get the most natural and relatable framing.

It’s called the Rule Of Thirds. You simply divide up the screen into thirds.

To get the most natural-looking eye line, you’ll want to place the eyes at the intersection of the middle and top thirds.

Again, this creates a psychological effect that makes you look more natural.

It’s important to consider that things change when you look at someone on a screen, especially since the image of a person is compacted down to a square on your computer.

You lose the impact that body language creates when you’re in person.

This is why framing yourself as naturally as possible, will restore some of the relatability and rapport.

This rule of third eye line is used all the time in TV and Movies.

If you’ve never noticed this before, you will definitely notice it now, and you’ll be shocked at how consistent it is.

With Zoom calls, it’s still important to maintain the rule of thirds. So keep an eye on it.

Eye Contact

Want a great tip for strengthening your personal connection with your audience?

It’s important that when you’re conducting a Zoom video call that you are actually looking at the camera on your computer as much as you can, as opposed to looking at your monitor or screen.

Unfortunately (depending on your device), looking at your screen which is more natural for you, can sometimes break eye contact with the person on the other side.

So it’s important to be mindful of this, and make sure every once in a while you are looking directly at the camera so that you maintain a personal connection with your audience.