Upgrade your Virtual Meeting Setup

Early on in the first lockdowns in 2020, did you ever sit at your computer and think to yourself “I really like working from home”? Not having to deal with traffic and all the other hassles of getting to work were really no longer an issue during the pandemic.

Or were you the opposite; desperate to get back into a building and meet with other people like in the old days? Some think getting back into the office and on a regular work schedule will help cultivate a positive workplace environment.

Whichever was the case – and whether you feel the same now – we’ve ended up with a mix of the two: Hybrid working. Hybrid working seems to be the new norm of todays’ workplaces, this new method offers more flexibility than before when everybody had to be at their workplace for the entire time that they are working.

Some people are in the office. Some are at home. And some do a little bit of both, coming into the office on certain days and working from home on others. The days of having everyone together at the same time are gone. Possibly forever.

Which means that video calls are here to stay.

If you want to invest in your video call setup, here are three super easy upgrades for you to implement:

The first is about improved picture quality

Many people use the built-in camera on their laptop, which works decent but still could be better. There are also fairly inexpensive webcams that can also do the job.

However, if you’re spending a lot of your day on video calls, you can instantly make yourself look better with a decent camera. Also, no one likes bad video quality.

The simplest option is to use an old smartphone. The cameras in most modern phones are great. And it’s really easy to link them up to your computer using a free app, like Iruin.

Alternatively, you could invest in a 4K webcam for the ultimate professional look, but this can be a bit more pricey. Most people find that a 1080p Full HD resolution webcam works great!

Next up, the most important part of your video call – and the one most often neglected – the sound

You won’t necessarily notice if your own audio quality is coming in poorly at the other end, however, your client you are having a meeting with definitely will.

But once you get better audio quality, you most likely will notice a difference yourself. Think about how well you can hear the other people on your calls, and how well they can hear you. Most video platforms allow you to do a simple and convenient test call to check your quality.

If your computer’s built-in microphone isn’t up to the job, just order a USB desk microphone.

The other alternative is to buy a headset with a mic. This works best if you work in a noisy environment, not only will people you call be able to hear you more clearly, but you’ll hear them better too!

Finally, think about your lighting. Even the best camera will struggle to make you look great with poor lighting

The very best solution is to use natural light. That means sitting facing a window while you are on calls. Simple, right?

But when that’s not practical or your workspace doesn’t work for that, you can give your lighting a boost with a ring light. This will give you even lighting all over your face.

Again, this doesn’t have to be an expensive option. You can easily great ring lights without spending a fortune.

If you wanted full control over your lighting, consider two LED lights. These can be adjusted to light the whole scene. And with some, you can adjust the color temperature of the lights to match the natural daylight coming through your window. That will give you a consistent look day and night!

Finally, here’s a thought. If you don’t want to have lots of accessories cluttering your desk, consider a webcam with built-in microphone AND ring light.

The best part about all of these solutions is you don’t have to be an expert to set them up. You can get them all working with minimal technical knowledge and make your next video call look even more professional.

Need specific recommendations on which accessories to buy? Get in touch with us and we would love to help!

Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.