Are you giving a presentation over zoom?
Here is how to make it great, without spending $$$ on great gear...
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Here is how to make it great, without spending $$$ on great gear...
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1. Make your camera eye level.
Looking up at the camera makes you look small. Looking down on the camera gives you jowls.
Looking up at the camera makes you look small. Looking down on the camera gives you jowls.
2. Have one bright light on your face.
Ideally, it's a single source of light. A window works well, but a good lamp is fine.
Keep in mind your monitor is a source of light (and often unflattering)
Ideally, it's a single source of light. A window works well, but a good lamp is fine.
Keep in mind your monitor is a source of light (and often unflattering)
3. Get a mic close to your face.
Apple wired headphones work well if you have nothing else. I've noticed airpods introduce lag.
Apple wired headphones work well if you have nothing else. I've noticed airpods introduce lag.
4. Don't read presentation notes or a script.
There is no killer of authenticity greater than reading something. The eye movement alone is a distraction.
There is no killer of authenticity greater than reading something. The eye movement alone is a distraction.
5. Look straight in the camera.
It's hard to beat that connection from direct and continuous eye contact.
It's hard to beat that connection from direct and continuous eye contact.
6. Stand up.
Sitting is relaxing, and you want to be on. But work on your posture. Stand up straight, and either gesture with your hands, or keep them at your sides. Not pockets, not crossed, not behind you.
Sitting is relaxing, and you want to be on. But work on your posture. Stand up straight, and either gesture with your hands, or keep them at your sides. Not pockets, not crossed, not behind you.
7. Practice by watching yourself.
Record yourself giving the presentation, and watch it. It's brutal but incredibly effective.
Record yourself giving the presentation, and watch it. It's brutal but incredibly effective.
8. Don't write what you're saying on slides.
People can't read and listen at the same time, so don't bother. Make a different deck for when you're not presenting.
People can't read and listen at the same time, so don't bother. Make a different deck for when you're not presenting.
9. Keep going.
If something goes wrong, you compound it with dwelling on the error. Just smile and keep going.
If something goes wrong, you compound it with dwelling on the error. Just smile and keep going.
10. Write.
By writing what you want to say, you can refine the phrasing. Good writing is as simple as speaking, and this will help
By writing what you want to say, you can refine the phrasing. Good writing is as simple as speaking, and this will help
11. Cardio.
Cardio literally increases BDNF to make you smarter. It helps you stay high energy. Don't be out of break right before speaking, just avoid being sedentary before presenting.
Cardio literally increases BDNF to make you smarter. It helps you stay high energy. Don't be out of break right before speaking, just avoid being sedentary before presenting.
12. Remove filler words.
Here is a new product we're developing where you can get realtime feedback when you say "like" or "you know".
Coming soon: blog.rhetoric.app
Here is a new product we're developing where you can get realtime feedback when you say "like" or "you know".
Coming soon: blog.rhetoric.app
13. Clean your room.
An ideal background doesn't distract from you, the subject. The single bright light on you should be paired with lower light in the background. Colorful accent lights are ok.
Green screens are cheap and easy to use too.
An ideal background doesn't distract from you, the subject. The single bright light on you should be paired with lower light in the background. Colorful accent lights are ok.
Green screens are cheap and easy to use too.
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