Four steps to looking great on video

Looking to make a better impression on video? Want to get noticed and be remembered for your professionalism on camera? There are lots of things you can do to make a difference. Some adjustments you can make right now, before you jump into your next meeting. Others take some investment. With so many options, the topic can feel overwhelming. But fear not: mmhmm is here to help you sort it all out in The Complete Guide to Looking Great on Video.

From the way you approach the camera to how you arrange your space, which gear you choose, and how you put together your presentations, the articles in this guide give you all the tools you need to feel more confident and get noticed.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Bring out the best version of you

Think about the people you see on camera who impress you the most, whether that’s an inspiring speaker on stage, a trusted journalist at the anchor desk, an amazing social media creator, or even (shudder) a politician. What do all those people have in common? They usually dress with intention, maintain eye contact with the audience, and speak clearly.

So before you start looking for new gear or turning your kitchen table into a state-of-the-art recording studio, think about how your appearance, voice, and body language set the tone. Being more conscious of how you appear can make a huge difference in how others see you.

Dress for the moment

If you’re hopping into a daily team meeting or chatting with a friend, what you wear might not matter very much. But if you’re trying to make an impression on a client call or job interview, be sure to optimize your wardrobe for the setting… and your camera.

• Fit: Choose comfortable clothes that sit well around the shoulders and neck.
• Color dos: Choose solid darks, neutrals, or pastels that complement your skin tone and create a contrast with the background.
• Dolor don’ts: Watch out for pure white, which can create glare, or pure black, which is dramatic but can also look shapeless unless you have good lighting. Busy patterns or stripes on clothing can be distracting, or even cause weird interference on screen. Stick with solids.

Mind your body language

Being on camera is pretty different from being in the room with someone. Many of the non-verbal cues we take for granted, like posture and gestures, disappear when nobody can see below your shoulders. And it’s easy to look distracted or disinterested on camera, even when you’re listening. But that’s easy to fix.

• Optimize your posture: Remember when your mom told you to sit up straight at the table? She was right. Sitting up a little straighter (or using a standing desk) can help you look and feel more alert. It helps minimize back pain, too.
• Use your face: Hand gestures are likely to fall out of frame. But a smile and nod, or leaning in slightly at the right moment, can go a long way.
• Maintain eye contact: Staying focused is crucial for signaling that you’re interested and inviting others to engage with you. We have a whole post on how to make it happen.

Speak for effect

Another benefit to sitting up straight instead of slouching is that it makes it easier to speak from your diaphragm.

• Speak from the heart: Try this exercise—Say a sentence the way you normally would. Now say it again, but imagine you’re pulling the words up from deep in your chest. Feel them coming up. Hear the difference? That richer, more resonant speaking tone helps you sound more confident and enunciate clearly.
• Slow down: Another common problem? Talking too fast. This makes a speaker hard to follow and increases the chances of getting tongue-tied. Take a deep breath and speak with intention.
• Loosen up: Before you go on camera, try this old acting trick. Say tongue twisters or tricky phrases like “rubber baby buggy bumpers” over and over until you can say them clearly. You’ll sound pretty silly, but it will save you from tripping over yourself later.

Step 2: Set the stage for success

Once you’ve thought about your personal presentation, it’s time to think about your space. Maybe you work in an office, or a dedicated room in your home. Or maybe you have to jostle for space wherever you can find it. No matter where you are, a few common tips will ensure the focus stays on you, and not your less-than-ideal setting.

Light it up

Finding or creating good light is one of the most important factors in how you look on camera. Without it, a palace looks like a dungeon. Bad light makes you look grainy. Good light makes everything pop. Bad light is flat, but good light flatters.

• Find natural light from a window, and position yourself so you’re facing it. But watch out for direct sun, which is usually too harsh.
• Even it out with a key light: There are lots of options, from fancy standing lights to little portable lights you can stick to your monitor. We have some tips down below in Step 3.

Find a neutral background

Unleash your inner Instagrammer and make whatever’s behind you look tidy and appealing. Bare walls can be depressing, so find an angle where framed pictures or plants are visible. Better yet, a shelf full of books or knick-knacks can lend plenty of personality to a scene without being too distracting. Just make sure there’s nothing embarrassing back there.

Banish distractions

Speaking of distractions, these come in two varieties: things that will distract you and things that will distract your audience. In either case, reducing potential distractions can help your video feel more focused.

• Close apps you don’t need: Unless you’re expecting an important message, leaving your messaging, email, or social media accounts open while you’re on camera is just asking for trouble. Remember, the conversation that matters most is the one you’re having now.
• Reclaim your space: Remember this guy? Everybody loves seeing your cat, your kids, or Fun Bob from Accounting pop up unexpectedly. Until they interrupt something important. If you have the option of closing your door and gently asking not to be disturbed, that can be the difference between a stress-free presentation and life’s most embarrassing moments.

Can’t change it? Work around it.

What if you’re in a busy café and have no control over where you get to sit or how often they run the espresso machine? That’s where software can be your best friend.

• Reimagine your environment: mmhmm makes it easy to hide distractions with over 100 beautifully designed backgrounds suitable for any occasion, from all-business to casually inspiring to having a little fun. You can also frame yourself and your content into a balanced scene that keeps everyone focused on what matters. See our article for more tips.
• Say no to noise: Video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet have noise cancellation features built in (look in the audio settings of your preferred platform). You can also turn to a plug-in solution like Krisp, which combines powerful noise cancellation with AI transcription for your calls.

Step 3: Level up your gear (and use it right)

So far, most of the tips and techniques we’ve discussed have been things you can do for free, right now, with no additional effort. But if you really want to elevate your video presence from average to extraordinary, it’s time to look at your setup.

Elevate your camera (literally!)

Yes, we know. There’s a camera right there in your laptop that you already paid for and works just fine. But that’s all it is—just fine. A dedicated webcam is a plug-and-play upgrade that instantly makes you look sharper and improves the depth of your background. There are many, many models to choose from, so we’ve picked a few of our favorites.

• See eye to eye: Whatever camera you choose—even if you stick with your laptop—make sure you position it roughly at eye level. Too high and others will feel like they’re standing over you. Too low, and they’re looking up your nose. But at eye level, you’ll look natural and it’s easy to maintain eye contact.

Capture more with a good microphone

Again, your laptop has one. And your headphones. And maybe your webcam, too. Try recording a video using each of them and play them back to hear how each of those mics changes the sound of your voice. Just fine, right?

• Made for brilliance:  A microphone made for creators, videographers, or podcasters will outperform any of your built-in options, capturing more detail and providing a bold, clear sound. We’ve rounded up some good ones.
• Place it right: You don’t have to shove the mic in your face like you’re a radio DJ, but be sure to position it in roughly the direction you’re speaking—in front of you, not too low, and within a foot or two of your mouth. And not where you might accidentally knock it with your hand.

Choose lights that shine

We’ve already seen how good light makes a difference, back in Step 2. When shopping for supplemental lights, look for ones with adjustable color temperature (so you can make your lighting warmer or cooler as needed).

• Position the lights so they fill in the shadows from your main light source. One is usually enough for working from your desk, or you may need a few for a more studio-like setup or a very dark room. Finding the right mix may take some tinkering, but being seen clearly is worth it.

Step 4: Remember the before and after

You’ve learned a lot about ways to have more presence on camera and look and sound great. But here’s a secret: what happens before and after the camera is on matters too. Just like those vocal exercises from Step 1, there are little things you can do to make sure you walk into every video fully prepared.

Make presentations in advance

This is another area where having mmhmm in your tool belt makes a lot of sense. With mmhmm, you can create presentations in advance, positioning yourself and your content perfectly so you’ll always look elegant. Save that presentation, and you can call it up whenever you need it. See our guide for a play-by-play of setting up your slide layouts.

Know your software

Everyone knows the awkward experience of being on a call or making a recording and not being able to find the button you need when you really need it. Where’s the mute button? How do I share the right window? A little time spent practicing with your video tools means fewer awkward moments and smoother, more confident presentations.

Fix it in the mix

If you’re recording yourself instead of joining a live video call, you have the chance to make every presentation perfect. Record in mmhmm and easily edit out any flubs or false starts. Record in multiple sessions so you can tackle one idea at a time, or come back and add new sections to your video later. You have total control in a recording. Next time you have a big idea to present, consider sending a video recording and following up with a call instead of jumping right into a high-stakes live setting.

Ready for anything

Congratulations! You’ve got your look and body language down, you’ve optimized your space, and upgraded your gear. You’ve practiced, perfected, and set yourself up for success. Now go forth and impress the world! We’re ready to help.