Imagine showing up to a big meeting, ready to share your ideas, only to realize you’re just another tiny, silent square on someone’s screen—sandwiched between a cat stretching across a keyboard and Todd, who’s forgotten to mute while eating crisps. Or maybe you don't have to imagine it. For a lot of people, that's reality.
Remote work is what you make it. Without intention and a plan, it’s easy to disappear—particularly in large meetings, and especially if you’re naturally shy. But if you’re looking to stand out without standing awkwardly out, the solution isn’t shouting louder. It’s showing up better.
Video tools like mmhmm are here to help you look polished, sound confident, and get noticed without the stress… or the crumbs.
The problem with being forgettable
It’s not your fault. The virtual workplace is filled with distractions and obstacles. Beyond Todd’s crisps, there's the colleague who keeps freezing due to spotty Wi-Fi, and the one who insists on using the world’s blurriest webcam. But here’s the thing: up to 77% of meetings are now held online, according to Flowtrace, and 43% of professionals consider on-camera meetings better for productivity.
That means how you show up on video matters.
Showing up isn’t just about being present; it’s about being memorable. Whether you’re leading a project update, brainstorming with your team, or presenting to your boss, standing out in the right way gets you noticed, respected, and—most importantly—heard.
And let’s face it: looking like you’ve cobbled together a setup with duct tape and hope doesn’t exactly scream promising future leader.
Let’s face it: looking like you’ve cobbled together a setup with duct tape and hope doesn’t exactly scream “promising future leader.”
Look the part
Fortunately, you don’t need a Hollywood studio to look good on video. You just need to avoid looking like a VHS tape from the 1980s. Good lighting, clear sound, and a decent background all go a long way toward making you look professional. We have a Complete Guide to Looking Great on Video you can peruse, but here are the highlights:
- Light up: Natural light is your friend. Position yourself near a window, or grab a ring light if your face still resembles a shadowy mystery. Remember, if people can’t see you, they can’t connect with you.
- Declutter: Your background shouldn’t distract people. mmhmm lets you swap in a clean, virtual background—or make the most of your real room—so no one’s asking, “Is that a pile of laundry?” You’re presenting yourself, not your weekend chores.
- Sound clear: Invest in a good microphone. Crisp audio makes your voice feel more confident, even if you’re just delivering the quarterly updates. Plus, nobody wants to hear your neighbor’s leaf blower halfway through your key point.
The goal? Show up like someone who’s ready to lead the meeting, not someone accidentally invited to it.
Voice actor and keynote speaker Joshua Seth embodies this approach. Known for his polished presence, he uses mmhmm to streamline his virtual presentations, cutting down on technical distractions while maximizing engagement. Joshua applies a minimalist worldview to his setup, believing that “less is more” when it comes to impactful visuals and professional delivery. His advice? Focus on the essentials to create a confident and polished impression that demands attention in any virtual setting.
Speak with confidence
Here’s a secret: confidence on video is less about how you feel and more about how you look. Even if your heart’s pounding, looking polished can trick your brain—and your audience—into realizing you’ve got this.
- Stay visible: Keep your camera on. Seeing you speak adds warmth, trust, and context that words alone just can’t deliver. People want to connect with people, not blank screens. Learn how to maintain eye contact with the camera for a more connected and confident presence.
- Structure your thoughts: recording and watching yourself in mmhmm is a great way to prepare for a live event. Think of it like rehearsing for a play—except the script, wardrobe, lighting, and sets are yours to perfect. When the meeting rolls around, you’re polished, concise, and ready to wow.
- Work without a script: For recordings you share with your team, you can do the same—or you can use our AI-assisted Questions feature to work without a script at all. Simply let mmhmm know what you want to talk about, and it will provide prompts that guide you through your points, like you’re having a natural conversation. It doesn’t do the work for you or try to replace you, but it helps you stay focused and even suggests subtopics you might have overlooked.
- Use visuals: Screens, slides, and other media can support your ideas when words aren’t enough. A visual anchor keeps your audience on track and makes you look like the pro who planned ahead. Check out how to frame your content around you to keep your ideas front and center.
Think of it this way: if a great in-person presentation is part storytelling, then a great video presentation is storytelling plus.
Be strategic with your time
Attention spans are shorter than ever. Keep your contributions focused, your visuals sharp, and your words meaningful.
- Record an update: Too many virtual meetings require chasing down five people across four time zones. And not only do they have to adapt to one person's inconvenient schedule, they have to absorb what that person has to say in real time, with no chance to reflect. That's not a good use of anyone's time.
Instead of scheduling yet another live meeting, record a concise, polished update with mmhmm. Your teammates can watch when it works for them, and you get to avoid virtual meeting fatigue (yes, it’s a thing). A recording lets them take in your ideas or updates when it makes sense for them, at whatever pace they prefer. Then you can schedule a quick follow-up call for discussion and action. - Cut the fluff: Nobody wats to sit through 15 minutes of context-setting leading up to one key point. Prep your talking points ahead of time so you can make an impact quickly. Your team will thank you.
- Practice, don’t panic: Nervous about presenting? Record yourself beforehand. Watching it back will help you spot hiccups and get comfortable with your delivery. If actors rehearse before opening night, why shouldn’t you?
Showing up well-prepared signals to your team and managers that you value their time—and know how to get things done.
Let your personality shine
Being stiff or self-conscious on camera is a sure-fire way to make a negative impression. To stand out positively, let your personality come through in a way that fits the moment.
- Show some style: Use mmhmm’s features like dynamic backgrounds, screen sharing, or live reactions to keep your presentations lively.
- Stay human: Start meetings with a light anecdote or quick check-in. Remote work doesn’t mean we have to skip the human parts of working together. Ask about someone’s day, laugh at that cat splayed across Jane's keyboard—these moments build relationships.
- Know your audience: Tailor your tone and visuals to who’s in the room. You wouldn’t pitch your boss the same way you’d brainstorm with colleagues—and that’s a good thing. Being relatable is a superpower.
You don’t need to be the loudest person in the meeting to stand out. You just need to be the most engaging. Marketing expert Jay Acunzo puts it another way: “Be their favorite.” It’s not about dominating the conversation—it’s about being the one people remember and want to hear from again.
And again, this doesn’t apply to virtual meetings only. Steve Newton of Tripkicks leaned into this idea when pitching Fortune 100 clients. Instead of relying on dry decks, he combined storytelling with mmhmm’s live visuals to create an experience. “It was the way to stand out from day one,” Steve said. He didn’t just present—he engaged, built trust, and won business. When your personality shows up on screen, so do results.
Your secret weapon for standing out
Getting noticed at work doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because you’re intentional about showing up, sharing your ideas, and making them impossible to ignore. Tools like mmhmm take the stress out of being visible and give you everything you need to look and sound like the polished professional you are.
When you’re the one with clear ideas, a confident presence, and visuals that actually add value, you’re not just noticed—you’re remembered.
So the next time Todd’s eating crisps, or someone’s dog barks in the background, you’ll be the one everyone’s paying attention to—not the distractions.
Take control of your presence. Visit mmhmm.app and start standing out today.
