Looking good on camera isn’t just about investing in the right setup. It’s about the subtle tweaks, too.

For example, moving the monstera plant behind you slightly to the left so it frames your background instead of your head or positioning your lamp correctly so that it doesn’t leave harsh shadows on your face — these small adjustments make a big impact.

Not sure where to start to look and sound good on video? We’ve got you covered with tips on how to put your best face (and voice!) forward on camera, whether you’re joining live or pre-recording videos to send later. Let’s get into it.

In this article:

    How to look and sound good on video when you’re…

    You could wing your on-camera look and sound if it were just one or two takes. But with hybrid work here to stay and the video format only growing, you really can’t let your on-screen presence compromise your confidence.

    So let’s start with some of the top video use cases and take you through quick and easy tips on how to look good on camera (and how to sound good on video, too!).

    🖥️ Presenting virtual events

    Our biggest tip is to spend less time getting ready and more time testing your Wi-Fi connection and setup.

    Sean Doyle, director of experiential marketing at Pinterest who co-hosted Vimeo’s Webinar Horror Stories, advises, “Test everything in the real environment [including] your computer, your microphone, and Wi-Fi.”

    If you’re the one hosting a virtual event — not just joining as a speaker — testing can make a significant difference in the success of your show. Do a dry run or rehearsal with your online event’s guest speakers a few days before the official event. 

    Marketing expert and Webinar Horror Stories host Katie Martell also recommends that as you prep guest speakers, you ask them logistical questions and check with them about their tech setup.

    Katie shares, “Ask your guests: ‘Is this where you’ll be calling in from?’ This will help you avoid horrible situations where guests are joining from their car or similar.”

    And to make sure you look great and the sound quality is the best it can be during the event, invest in live streaming equipment, including a camera, lighting gear, and a mic. If you’re recording audio, you may want to invest in (at least) an inexpensive Bluetooth lavalier microphone.

    Jay Clouse, the person behind Creator Science and host of the video podcast Creator Science Podcast, advises the same. “It may seem like overkill, but if you’re in a position to invest in professional equipment, it makes a huge difference. A DSLR camera as your webcam and effective lighting go a long, long way. There are great lighting tools that fit any size of space, and if you can leave your equipment so that you don’t have to take it down when you’re not working, it’s a huge upgrade.”

    💸 Sending a video sales pitch

    Unlike live events, you have a lot more control with pre-recorded video sales pitches.

    To make sure you leave a lasting first impression on your prospects, use a high-quality screen recorder that captures both you (or the speaker) and your screen for a more personalized pitch. 

    You’ll also want to distance yourself from your desktop’s camera a bit — you want to capture both your face and shoulders. This positioning helps your face not appear too broad. However, you also don’t want to be too far away as that would add a lot of distance between you and the mic, which compromises the audio quality.

    Last, don’t move your hands too much — it can distract viewers and steal the spotlight from your message.

    🧑‍🏫 Training new hires with onboarding videos

    Gone are the days of boring training sessions. With onboarding videos, you can personalize training material while keeping it human. Plus, new hires can watch the training videos at their own pace — even go back to them whenever they need to.

    To make sure you’re looking your best in these videos, aim for a conversational tone, not perfection. Be careful, though — a more casual approach could lead to tangents unrelated to the subject at hand. Creating and sticking loosely to a script will help you create topical videos that respect viewers’ time, keep their attention, and help with subject matter comprehension.

    Maintaining a consistent video series setup can help viewers focus on the content you’re delivering rather than the other elements in the video (e.g., background, lighting, etc.).

    🧑‍💻 Working in a hybrid environment

    Get the lighting and audio right so your coworkers can hear you and see your face clearly. You don’t need a fancy setup for this, though. Here are a few tips to maximize your hybrid workspace: 

    First, join your work video calls from a quiet, well-lit room. If there’s a window in the room, make sure it’s not behind you or to your side, as that will create shadows on your face on camera. Instead, position yourself in front of a window so your face is lit with natural light.

    Second, express your sense of style from the waist up. Add one element to your look that feels most like “you”; for example, this could be a necklace or a bandanna (or ascot, if you’re fancy). However, it’s best to avoid chunky or noisy jewelry as it can make noise on your desk or mic and interfere with the audio.

    Finally, work on your audio quality with small tweaks. Mute your mic when you aren’t speaking to prevent noises — like your keyboard clacking — from filling the virtual room. Close any windows or doors to further reduce external noise. And to muffle the echo from any noise, join your hybrid workspace from a carpeted room or a room that has heavier curtains.

    10 live streaming and on-video confidence tips

    Whether you’re on a live stream, in a webinar, or presenting on another virtual event platform, here are 10 tips for top-notch visual and audio delivery.

    1. Adjust your camera angle

    A camera that’s too high makes it difficult for viewers to see your expressions. And if it’s too low, it can exaggerate your face’s angles, creating an unflattering look on screen.

    The perfect position for your webcam is just above your hairline and angled slightly downward.

    If you’re using your desktop’s built-in camera, adjust its position using a laptop or monitor stand to set the positioning. Don’t have a desktop stand? Add some books under your monitor. 

    2. Make virtual eye contact

    Look directly at the camera to mimic IRL eye contact. Eye contact in person helps to build trust and establish rapport with others. It’s an essential part of non-verbal communication that shows you’re engaged and paying attention.

    Lack of “eye contact” in videos or virtual meetings can display a lack of credibility and lead to miscommunication, so make sure you’re looking directly into your device’s lens.

    Distracted by your own image? Hide your screen or video playback to make sure you can be fully present for your audience.

    3. Practice good posture

    Of course, it’s always a good idea to sit up straight, especially on camera. Not only does good posture help with your overall health and wellness, but a straight spine indicates to your viewers that you’re energized and present.

    Many people are afraid of public speaking, but standing tall within one’s personal space is a great way to display confidence and authority — which is exactly what you need to do when leading a hybrid or remote team. 

    4. Dress to impress 

    Wear colors that suit your skin tone and hair color. Dark colors like deep purple and gray look good on people with light skin tones, for example. The inverse is true for people with darker skin tones.

    You’ll also want to avoid large or busy patterns, wrinkled clothes, and big logos — they can be distracting on camera.

    Make sure the color you choose contrasts with the background. This contrast helps you stand out against the background instead of appearing as a floating head on camera.

    One last thing to remember with regard to clothing: you want your message to stand out, not your outfit. So pick something that represents your brand. If you’re a fitness instructor, for example, you’ll want to wear something you’d feel comfortable working out in. 

    5. Make your makeup work for you

    This applies more to production projects than hybrid or remote work, but on-camera makeup should help accentuate your features while still giving the illusion you’re not really wearing any.

    If you don’t want to opt for a full face, try a tinted moisturizer or BB cream to help even your skin tone. Although dewy skin looks great in person, it may read as sweaty or oily on camera. Take Tom Ford’s advice and use powder.

    6. Consider your lighting

    We’ve already discussed positioning yourself in front of a window for optimal lighting. But if you’re joining a hybrid team or live stream from a time zone in which it’s already dark or you don’t have a window in your workspace, position a lamp or ring light in front of you.

    Place the light behind and slightly to the side of the camera so that it throws sufficient light on your face — all while not flooding the lens with too much light.

    You don’t want to use overhead lighting because it creates sharp shadows on your face for the video.

    The ideal lighting setup for a Zoom call is two light sources — both positioned behind the camera and angled slightly toward each other from opposite sides so it fills your face with soft light.

    If you’re hosting a live event or recording a video series, consider creating a three-point lighting setup.  

    7. Use a simple background

    Be mindful of how busy your background is. You don’t want it to be cluttered or disorganized, as that can be distracting for viewers. Instead, add visual interest with a plain backdrop and simple décor.

    For example, you can add plants, a throw blanket, or books to your background. If you want to use the classic full bookshelf background, make sure your shelves are neatly arranged.

    Last, check where your background items sit in the frame. Any added element should be simple and create a “framing” illusion.

    8. Write a script

    We briefly mentioned the importance of a video script in the pro tip above. And since not everyone is a professional copy- or scriptwriter, Vimeo has some straightforward scripting tools to help:

    • AI script generator: As stated, Vimeo offers copywriting automation in the form of AI video tools like a script generator. Just enter a few details and let it work for you.
    • Teleprompter: Once your script is ready, plug it into Vimeo’s built-in teleprompter and get your video in fewer takes. Experience a smoother speaking pace and more on-camera confidence with this tool.

    Having a script prepared will help you feel more confident and prepared for the final video.

    One take video promo module. One the left is a video of a man with white hair smiling with an overlay of the transcript editor. One the left is text about one take video creation.

    9. Plan and practice a run-through

    If you don’t at least have a loose plan or script to work from, your viewers will know. Your content deserves to shine, and you can help it do that by planning your video and practicing a run-through (like a dress rehearsal) before creating the final product.

    Define your video’s purpose and determine what you want to communicate or achieve with the video (this includes defining your target audience). Test your equipment to make sure everything is set up for maximum production value. You can even use video templates to map out (or storyboard) the shots you want to record.

    Run through your script and focus on your posture, eye contact, and verbal flow.

    10. Edit your videos

    You don’t have to be a filmmaker to edit great videos. Vimeo offers easy-to-use video editing software and tools that can help you achieve your video dreams in one take, no experience required.

    Try Vimeo’s text-based video editor that can automate your editing process with its text-based video editing software. Editing out background noise, awkward pauses, and mumbled words is as easy as editing a text document.

    And, since you don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste, find a video hosting platform (like Vimeo!) that can organize your files and also offer branding and analytics — all in one place.

    Final takeaways

    TL;DR: Get the basics right for recording videos, presenting on a webinar platform, or joining Zoom calls:

    • Position your camera at eye level.
    • Position yourself in front of the window.
    • Join from a quiet, well-carpeted room.
    • Create a “less is more” clutter-free, tidy background.
    • Look in the camera, not at yourself.
    • Wear neutral colors that suit your complexion and contrast with the background.
    • Opt for powder-based makeup.
    • Use a script.
    • Practice, practice, practice.
    • Keep it simple with editing.

    Ready to look great and be confident on your video calls?

    When you’re ready to level up (or if you’re already participating in virtual events), create a dedicated studio for a consistent setup. Use the right video conferencing equipment (no, you don’t need a big budget!). And don’t forget to invest in reliable video streaming software that has your back.

    Download the webinar speaker guidebook

    Originally published on May 22, 2022 and updated on September 6, 2023