I think we can agree, we’re all spending A LOT more time in our “home offices” and on video calls these days and not all of them are great. Sometimes it’s a connection issue, sometimes we just don’t feel good about the angles our laptop is giving us and sometimes the person you’re on the call with is just a silhouette, giving us real Bond Villian vibes - no matter how sweet he/she is.
The truth is, there aren’t many of us who are used to having to interface with others solely via screens. Luckily, there are a rules you can apply (and pieces of tech you can buy) that will make your virtual interactions look, feel and sound far more polished and professional!
The Rules:
DON’T let your “shine”, steal your shine. Being on camera can make us look a little oily even if in the mirror it’s just a dewy glow from our moisturizer. I love to keep these little blotting papers handy and touch up right before I join a call to make sure I look cool and collected.
DO screen test your look! Open your camera or photobooth app on your computer to take a quick peek “in the virtual mirror” before logging on to allow you to see how your look is going to translate in pixels.
DON’T sit in front of a window. If you must, purchase some chic, light-filtering window treatments and close them behind you for a easy, built-in backdrop!
DO consider what others will see in the background of your call. Make sure your space is neat and tidy and exercise restaint with cutesy virtual backgrounds. If your call is with professionals outside your team, it’s best to avoid anything distracting and opt for your bookcase or gallery wall at home instead.
DON’T take calls from your couch. You should have a designated space set up to make you look and feel your best.
DO make yourself at home. Make sure you’re seated upright comfortably since you won’t be doing the amount of natural shifting in your seat you would in an in-person meeting.
Now that you’re crushing the rules, you’re ready to upgrade your home office experience! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best in tech to outfit your space. These inexpensive additions can take you from low-fi to studio quality.
The Setup
Rode NT USB Condenser Microphone
Price: $169
Why we like it:
Ease of use and installation
Broad range
High quality
3.5mm stereo headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring
Direct mix control between mic input and source output
Includes pop filter, tripod desk stand, ring mount, storage pouch and 20’ USB cable included
Audio Technica AT2020 USB+ Condenser Microphone
Price: $129
Why we like it:
Ease of use and installation
Built-in headphone jack with volume and mix controls
Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use
Permanent pickup pattern reduces noise from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
Ideal for project/home-studio applications
Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable and storage pouch
Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone
Price: $50
Why we like it:
Ease of use and installation
Small Setup
Great for recording the human voice
High fidelity for Skype, Zoom and FaceTime
Frequency Response: 40 –18 kHz
Price: $39
Why we like it:
Includes desk tripod stand, hot shoe mount, phone clip.
Dimmable, 3-color model: cold, warm, and neutral.
Universal Smartphone Clip
USB Powered
2-Year Replacement Service
Price: $59
Why we like it:
Includes (1)18 inches LED ring light,(1)74 inch light stand,(1)white and orange color filter set,(1)tripod head hot shoe adapter,(1)universal Adapter with US plug,(1)smart phone holder, comes with a carrying bag for convenient storage and transport.
Adapter for most DSLR cameras and smartphone holder for most smartphones.
Warm light/White light dimmable range 18 inch outer. Comes with 2 color filter (white and orange.) Adjustable ring light head, 36. 2-74 inch adjustable aluminum material foldable stand.
USB Powered
Price: $169
Why we like it:
Resolution: 1080p, 9:16 format
Content creation features
Facial tracking
Auto-focusing
Built-in image stabilization
USB Type-C connectivity
Price: $150
Why we like it:
720p HD, widescreen
World-class optics - Auto Focus, High-precision glass element lens
Clear, high-quality video - ClearFrame Technology for smooth, detailed video.
Crystal-clear audio - Digital, noise-canceling microphone helps improve speech quality.
Aluminum body
Flexible stand for notebook and desktop PCs
Rain Design’s iLevel Adjustable Laptop Stand
Price: $54
Why we like it:
Keeps your desk organized with an on-board cable outlet and keyboard storage
This stand is designed to fits all MacBooks and is compatible with most non-Apple laptops.
A tiltable design brings your screen closer and improves notebook airflow and anodized aluminum build acts as a heat sink for cooling and
Rain Design’s mStand Laptop Stand
Price: $39
Why we like it:
Provides an ergonomic solution for working on your laptop; raises screen height approximately 6"and prevents slouching
The aluminum panel cools the laptop because it acts as a heat sink and tilted design improves air flow around computer, preventing overheating
The one-piece design requires no assembly and provides stability
Cable organizer keeps cables out of the way and discrete
Purple’s Double Cushion
Price: $89
Why we like it:
30-Day Trial, 1-Year Warranty
Free Shipping, Free Returns
Unique dual-support comfort grid, the two-inch Double Seat Cushion can be "flipped" for use on either firm or soft surfaces.
No-Pressure Support, 8+ Hr Sit Time, Doesn’t “Sit Hot”
Extremely Durable & Super Easy To Clean!
Which technologies have you found most helpful for your home office? Leave us a note in the comments!
- Stratton