Must-Know Guidelines for Webinar Presenters
If you’ll be on camera at any point during your webinar or training, the appearance of your physical space is a critical part of your on-screen image. Your producer will evaluate your physical space during preparation sessions and your event dry run, so it’s important to attend these meetings from the location you will present the live event if at all possible. Please use the following tips to make sure your space looks polished and professional.
Clear your background of any distracting items.
These include piles of paper or books; cups, plates, or other dishes; laundry; clutter; an open or glass door; a glass wall overlooking a hallway or roadway; etc. Any surfaces visible around or behind you should be clear except for tasteful décor such as family photos, small knicknacks, etc. Your producer will advise you of any distraction in the background during your preparation sessions.
Position your webcam so you can look directly at it while presenting.
Your camera should be pointed at the front of your face (not the side) and should be position at or near eye level (so you are not looking up or down to look into it.) This may mean that you put your laptop on a stack of books to achieve the correct height. Your producer will help you position your webcam during prep sessions and the dry run.
Light your face well and minimize shadows.
Make sure you have a light source directly in front of you or in front and slightly at an angle. You should not be lit from the back, directly above your head, or unevenly from the sides; these positions all cause a silhouette effect and unflattering shadows. You should not be lit from the back or unevenly from the sides. This may mean turning your workspace to make sure you’re not directly in front of a window, or possibly moving lamps around your desk. Your producer will work with you to achieve the best possible lighting for your space.
Close doors and windows to prevent interruptions and background noise.
We also recommend you put a sign on the outside of your door that says “Webinar in Progress – Do Not Disturb” and alert coworkers, family members, etc. that they should not knock or enter during the event time.
Exile pets and children.
When you close your doors and windows, make sure animals and children are on the other side. Cats love to walk in front of the camera while you’re speaking and to knock phones off the hook or lie on keyboards, dogs love to bark hysterically at critical points in any presentation, and kids love to scream in glee (or otherwise) when you most need silence. We can’t explain it, but it happens pretty much every time.
Use a wired headset.
Whether joining audio by phone or VOIP, please use a wired headset. If tested extensively, a wireless headset may work but your producer will ask you to have a backup plan. If a headset is not available, please be prepared to hold the handset of your phone for the duration of the event. Speaker phone is not acceptable due to background noise, echo, and overall audio quality. Your producer will troubleshoot audio with you during prep sessions and the dry run.
What tips would you add? Leave a comment below!
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