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The video interview is now a major part of any journalist‘s toolkit and a great opportunity to communicate your business goals. But how can you make Video PR work for you? Stand out with these tips from our video content specialist Ali Gibson and account director Chiara Lawrance.
Background
Getting this right before you start your video interview is really important. Think about what the most visually appealing part of your home is, and how can you make that background say something about you, and the work you do. A bookcase can be a safe bet, or a nice painting, particularly if it links to your industry.
An alternative approach is to go with a branded company background, but always check this first with the journalist, as some publications may have rules on using branding, particularly if your video interview is going to run in full.
Another tip we love is the ‘Touch up my appearance’ filter on Zoom which removes blemishes. Look for this under Settings and Video.
Lighting
Part of choosing your background is definitely going to be determined by lighting. Avoid sitting with your back to a window and try and use natural light wherever you can. Failing that, make sure you have a good lamp to cast light upon your face.
Sound
Webcam microphones can be really sensitive to outside noise such as traffic so it’s best to keep windows shut during your interview. Make sure your phone is on silent or airplane mode and choose a room where you’re less likely to get disturbed. You may also want to invest in a set of headphones with a built-in microphone, or a USB microphone that you can plug in to up your sound quality.
Positioning
Looking down is not only unflattering on video calls, it also can affect the dynamics of your interview. So find a way to prop your laptop up so that your webcam is at eye level. A pile of books is really good, and sturdy, way to do this.
Before you join your interview think about your framing. You want to be in the centre of your screen, with head and shoulders showing and just a little bit of headroom. Any more and you’ll seem small and lost in your background.
Eye contact
It can be really tempting, particularly when you feel like you have a lot to remember, to look down or offscreen at your notes. But on a video interview this can make you look unprepared or unconfident.
Instead – focus on keeping as much eye contact as you can with the journalist you ae talking to by looking directly at your webcam. This will help build rapport and create a much better-looking video. Leaning slightly forward, instead of sitting back in your chair is also a great way to increase engagement with a reporter.
We’d love to know how these tips work for you so please get in touch with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram with your feedback or questions.
Find out more about our in-house video production team here: 8020comms.com/discover/video-for-pr/
