“I’m here live. I’m not a cat!” And with these words – and his uncannily cat-like features – Texas attorney Rod Ponton became an Internet sensation.
For this, of course, we can blame Zoom (or perhaps Ponton’s secretary). Whatever the case, and the much-needed hilarity that ensued, the pandemic has meant that using Zoom, its filters and its virtual backgrounds, has become second-nature. Which is a pity, as using virtual backgrounds should be verboten – up there with bad lighting or blocking your face with hand gestures.
Indeed, whenever I coach executives, founders or anyone else ahead of important webinars, Zoom interviews or video calls, I always advise against using them. Yes, they have the potential to give your brand more prominence, or cover-up the Take That poster on your wall. But more often than not, they simply leave the speaker in a kind of virtual purgatory, their disembodied faces floating between being clearly visible, and disappearing into the virtual abyss.
Now comes yet another reason to avoid a funky background: you come across better without one. According to a recent study by Durham University, backgrounds of plants and/or books inspire the most trust. Living rooms and “novelty” backgrounds (under which I include most virtual backgrounds), do the opposite. As CNN reported, “a carefully selected video call background “seems to be the new business suit”.”
The study’s authors also found that smiling made people appear more trustworthy and competent. So if you are going on Zoom or Teams et al, even if it’s just for a call:
- Check your framing, to ensure you’re centred and the camera is at eye-level.
- Ensure your face is well-lit. At the very least, the light on your face should be brighter than the light behind you.
- Make sure your background looks good: a bookshelf, with books/plants is good. Your collection of Stratocasters and Gold Discs will also work. For the most part, a virtual background will not.
Cats may have nine lives, but we only have one to make our presence on that Zoom or interview count.