Tag Archive for: wfh

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Shooting Compelling Video 101

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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We’ve all gotten used to living our lives on video over the past year. And video is here to stay, so if you want to grow your business or connect with your audience, this is a medium you need to master.

I spoke with videographer and producer Kristian Golick on my live-streaming show “Inside Scoop” about common questions about doing video — and how you can become a pro.

Why video?

As a former TV producer, I’ve been spreading the word about video for years. Kristian and I talked about one element of creating video that  is key: It creates a connection between you and the viewer. Just like we all feel like we know our favorite TV reporters or movie stars, your audience can get to know you through your videos.

Kristian knows from personal experience how powerful this connection can be. Kristian has been a videographer for years, creating videos from business as well as wedding films. But he never got in front of the camera himself until 2018, when he created a short video to address a common question among his clients about raw footage and what to do with it.

When he sent it to his clients, they expressed how much it helped them get to know him as a person. In fact, the feedback from that video was so positive he closed $10,000 in business and he’s continued to create video content ever since!

What content should I be creating?

Kristian says that his first video taught him an important lesson about content. Think about the questions that you get most often, then create videos addressing those. 

Should I do live or pre-recorded videos?

While there are pros and cons to both live and pre-recorded videos, Kristian and I both say that live videos can save you time (and energy) once you get the hang of them. Live videos help you get over perfectionism, too. Plus, they keep you accountable, since if you said you’re going live at a certain time, you’ve got to stick to it! Of course, you can always re-use your recorded live content. 

That’s what I do with my live-streaming show Inside Scoop. Kristian and I did this interview and now as you can see I’m using the content now in a different way – as a blog post. 

What set-up should I use?

Kristian says you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a set-up that will make your videos look professional. He uses a light from Amazon that cost about $100, and placed it above him and angled down. He also taped a piece of wax paper to soften the light. The placement of the light is key to avoiding glare on his glasses, Kristian explained. (Make sure you check out the video we did together here so you can see his explanation.) 

Don’t worry about creating a set-up that looks too polished — you don’t want people to think your videos are ads, after all!

What should my background be?

Like me, Kristian is not a fan of Zoom backgrounds. He either makes sure to have a clean, neat real background, or he uses a green screen if he needs to replace his backdrop. The green screen is key, Kristian said, because it ensures the background is consistent and doesn’t cut off your ear or hands, which often happens with Zoom backgrounds. 

Where should I post my videos?

Kristian has two suggestions. The first is that you should post where you already have the most audience engagement. If that’s Instagram, go for Instagram. If that’s Facebook, post there.

Kristian’s second suggestion is that you should match your content to the platform. Tutorial-type videos, for example, work best on YouTube. But if you want to do shorter videos, try Instagram Stories. 

How often should I post?

Consistency is key. If you do Instagram stories, try a short video every day. For YouTube, post once a week. When people know to expect content from you, they’ll be more likely to tune in and get to know you. (That’s why I host Inside Scoop every week!).

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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Five Ways to Create Engaging Virtual Presentations

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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You have great ideas. Yes, you! But are you giving them the best chance of reaching your audience?

I’m talking about virtual presentations. You might be thinking: “I’m great at presentations!” Okay, but are you great at virtual presentations? It’s a whole new skillset! 

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Work-From-Home Wardrobe Tips

When I transitioned to working from home after almost 20 years as a TV producer, I soon realized that I needed to get dressed to keep up my productivity and professionalism.

So many people are coming to the same conclusion now that working remotely is on the rise — what you wear really matters for your work and how others perceive you.

Even if you’re planning to return to the office when the pandemic is over, dressing professionally can be a challenge. That’s especially true if you’re a speaker or author who does TV interviews or produces video!

If you’re looking for tips on how to create a wardrobe that really works for your needs, Cass Sethi is here to help. I spoke with her on my live-streaming show Inside Scoop. Cass is a personal stylist and runs an amazing business with a fabulous Instagram profile, Next Level Wardrobe.

Here are Cass’s top five tips for dressing for success:

1. Don’t get TOO comfortable.

When you’re working from home, it’s all too easy to roll right out of bed into a meeting. That means no “Zoom shirts” and no PJs. I know it’s hard to resist, but Cass says you’ll be glad you put the effort in (and I can confirm). It helps your productivity to get dressed and get in “work mode.” 

Getting dressed also helps you create boundaries between work and your home life, which is especially important when you’re working remotely. I actually have a whole course on this topic — you can check it out here!

Cass and I agree that it’s good to still be comfortable when you’re working remotely — I always wear slippers, for example. But setting limits on loungewear will set you up for success. 

2. Stock up on basics. 

First off — basics don’t  mean boring! Cass recommends items that fit your body and your style so well that you can just throw them on easily without any fuss.

In particular, Cass loves a well-fitting button-down shirt. She says it elevates your style and looks approachable yet professional. 

3. Have fun with accessories. 

When Cass’s clients tell her they want a little bit of “pop” in their outfit, she always recommends accenting with accessories. That could be a statement earring, lipstick, necklace, or even nail polish.

This lets you experiment without looking unprofessional or distracting your colleagues, audience, or clients. That’s especially important when you’re doing video calls or interviews. For more information on doing your makeup for video, you can check out this article.

Plus, with virtual meetings, your background becomes another kind of accessory! Cass says that adding a plant or some other small visual interest can allow your background to reflect your personality without detracting from what you’re saying.

And no virtual backgrounds, unless you’re using them in a social setting. Stick to minimal, neat (and real) backgrounds in professional contexts.

4. Head in the right direction.

When it comes to what’s on your what’s on your head — hat and hair — Cass says less is more. Baseball hats are definitely off the table on Zoom calls, because they block your face.

If you’ve let your hair grow wild during quarantine, Cass recommends finding a DIY haircut video or adding a little bit of product to tame it. 

5. Buying? Invest in core colors first.

When it comes to buying new items, Cass recommends staying with your core colors: gray, white, black and navy. Shop for basics in those core colors and then focus on more colorful items that you can use to add pops of personality. 

And when you want to buy something, Cass recommends skipping the Instagram ads and finding the piece from a trusted company. Finding high-quality pieces that will look great and last for a long time is key.

If you want to hear the rest of Cass’s tips, you can check out the full episode of Inside Scoop here. 

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Three Ways to Let Go of “Expert Obsession”

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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Confession: I never went to college for list-making. I don’t have a degree in productivity.

But I’ve written two books on the subject, appeared on TV and podcasts to discuss it, run a blog about it, and have a LinkedIn newsletter, LinkedIn Learning courses, and live-streaming show where I talk about it an awful lot.

Yep — I’m a productivity expert! And I became one by speaking and writing about everything I know on the subject.

If you feel like you’re not “expert enough” to start talking about your knowledge, you might have an expert obsession.

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Zoom 101: Video Call Guide

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JOIN ME FOR “VIRTUAL MEETING PRO: Elevate your virtual presentation skills via video. With video meetings becoming the norm, it’s more important than ever to present well on camera. CLICK HERE to join my online training “Virtual Meeting Pro.”

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The transition to Zoom video calls is here to stay. Are you ready?

Whether you’re an enthusiastic adopter or a wary straggler, there are so many features to Zoom that just take some time to figure out. 

I’ve been using Zoom for all my meetings ever since I started working from home a few years ago. I’ve seen all the ways that Zoom can trip people up and cause issues — and how it can make meetings more efficient. (Plus it can make your virtual holidays and birthdays even better!) 

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Ditch The Virtual Backgrounds

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”

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Now that so many people are having video meetings, lots of questions about virtual etiquette are coming up.

In my LinkedIn Learning course, Organizing Your Remote Office for Maximum Productivity, I cover how to look best in video meetings. One of the students asked me a question about virtual backgrounds so I figured why not also create a blog post about it. 

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