Zoom calls are a popular way to communicate with other stakeholders. Whether you’re talking to colleagues or clients, it’s important to make your best impression when you’re videoconferencing. You should practice speaking to a camera to understand how you sound and look online, but consider every element of your online presence, especially the background. Get an office background for Zoom and know these tips to present yourself professionally.
Primary Colors
Your office background needs to be polished, but it shouldn’t be distracting. You have hundreds of options for a background, but the basic color should be fairly neutral. Cream, light blue, light gray and tan are good colors for a background on Zoom. Bold colors may overtake your presence and be distracting. Busy patterns can make you fade into the background. Although darker colors can work, they can also set a negative mood.
Eliminating Distractions
Office backgrounds are great for hiding your real office, whether you’re working at home or in a coffee ship. You won’t have to worry about what’s on your walls or desk when you have a professional background. Your background is a marketing opportunity to keep everyone focused on business, so choosing a background that makes you look good can help you make the most out of your time.
Choosing Good Lighting
An office background for teams will seem more professional when you have a care for your lighting. You want diffused lighting, not super bright lighting. Direct sunlight or harsh lighting will make it more difficult for the camera to focus on your face. Here are some pointers:
- Avoid backlighting, because your face may be shadowed, which makes your backdrop the focus of the call.
- Put the lighting in front of you at about a 45-degree angle from your face.
- Position another source of light on the other side of you that is a little dimmer than the other light. This balances the light to avoid shadows.
- Practice with lighting to avoid having to set it up during meetings.
- Make sure your webcam is positioned correctly to showcase your face, not your forehead or neck.
What Are You Wearing?
When choosing a background, you should also consider what you are currently wearing. If your shirt is the same color as the background, you could come off as a talking head. If your shirt clashes with the background, it could be distracting on screen. It’s okay to have several different backgrounds prepared for any contingency. You may want a more formal background for meeting with clients. But if you’re videoconferencing with your team, you could be more casual.
Be Confident in Zoom Calls
Zoom and other video platforms are still finding their way into the business meeting atmosphere. It can be hard to feel confident on camera without some practice. Know how to use the settings in Zoom to put your best foot forward, regardless of what’s happening around you. Practice with camera angles and lighting so you can be focused on the meeting. As you spend more time using Zoom, you’ll get better and feel more comfortable during online calls.
