I just love grabbing audio and video interviews via Skype. There are a few things to do so that they come out as smooth and engaging to the viewer as they to us when we are recording them! Like many things, practice really adds value and helps you get comfortable in front of the camera/mic.
AUDIO TIPS
- Audio takes a lot less internet connection. If your connection is iffy, use audio instead of video.
- Wear headphones so that the sound you are receiving does not interfere with the sound you are making and sending in to your mic.
- Use an external mic if you have one. I have used the Snowball mic for a few years and love its ease of use. They are available online and at most Apple stores.
- Be sure to turn off the phone ringers nearby.
- Minimize whatever background sound you can. Mics pick up more of this we naturally hear with our own ears. This includes tapping with your fingers or feet and other ambient sounds we don’t really pay attention to: traffic, birds, appliances, etc.
VIDEO TIPS
- Be sure your webcam lens is clean. Wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth if necessary. You can open your Skype preferences and select the Audio/Video tab to see a preview.
- Have more light on your face and less light in the background, otherwise you will be a shadow figure! I often change my computer wallpaper to a light solid color as that too helps cast nice light on the face.
- Adjust your computer/seating so that your camera input is level – and we do not see the ceiling in the background.
- When you are speaking, look directly at the camera, not at yourself or the other person on screen. Imagine you are talking directly to the people who are so curious to hear what you have to say!
- Avoid making too many movements or tapping on your desktop – these make more work for the camera to focus and also create background sounds that can distract from your message.
TIMING TIPS
- Shorter is better than longer. Rehearse your message so you can get the high impact point across with as little story or detail as possible. We don’t want to skip over the story entirely, of course, but the more focused you can be the easier it is for others to digest.
- Don’t memorize though – allow it to flow in the moment with the confidence that you have clarified to key points you want to share. Let the Presence guide you in the moment!
- Allow a few seconds at the beginning and the end – this is to help in the editing process later.
- If you stumble, just pause, regroup, and start over (after waiting a few seconds) as we can always edit things together afterwards.
Contact me if you have any questions!