How to Look and Sound Your Best on Zoom: Easy Tutorial

In 2020, the world underwent a massive transformation, and the way we conduct meetings changed forever.

Zoom, a once relatively obscure video conferencing platform, skyrocketed in popularity, going from 10 million daily users in December 2019 to a staggering 200 million daily users in 2020.

Today, Zoom remains the go-to platform for business meetings, educational sessions, and community gatherings.

Whether you're meeting with clients, recording podcasts, or participating in interviews, making a lasting impression online requires you to both look and sound your best.

While Zoom wasn't originally designed for podcasting or high-quality recordings, there are a few simple settings and tricks you can employ to stand out from the crowd.

In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps to ensure you shine in your Zoom meetings and recordings.

Audio: Clear and Crisp

Step 1: Accessing Audio Settings Open the Zoom app and locate the settings icon in the top right corner. Click on it to access the settings menu.

Step 2: Verify Microphone In the settings menu, navigate to the "Audio" section and ensure that your microphone is properly connected and selected.

Step 3: Enable 'Original Sound' Scroll down within the "Audio" section until you find the "Original Sound" option. Enable "High Fidelity Music Mode" to enhance the audio quality. However, if you're using headphones, be sure to turn off "Echo Cancellation" to prevent any interference.

Step 4: Recording Preferences (Optional) If you plan to record your podcast episodes in Zoom, you can set it up, so you have separate audio files for both you and your guest(s). Do this by going to the "Recording" tab in settings and selecting "Record Separate Audio File for Each Participant."

Step 5: Activate 'Original Sound' During Meetings In your Zoom meeting, you'll find the "Original Sound" option in the top left corner of your meeting screen. Ensure that it's turned on for improved audio quality.

Note: If you activate "Original Sound" without using headphones, you might experience echo and sound bleed on your guests' side. Conversely, if "Original Sound" is turned off, you won't encounter these issues. When I'm doing regular client meetings, I keep "Original Sound" off.

Video: Look Your Best

Camera: Choose the Right Device For high-quality video, consider using a DSLR camera connected to your computer via a CamLink 4K or similar HDMI adapter. Alternatively, invest in an external webcam with superior image quality like the Logitech C920 or the Logitech Brio.

Angle and Lighting: Flattering Your Appearance Position your camera at eye level and angle it slightly downward to look more human and natural. Adequate lighting is essential for a clear image. You can achieve this with artificial lighting, such as a ring light, or by utilizing natural light from a window. Keep your background simple and uncluttered to keep the focus on you.

Conclusion

By following these straightforward audio and video adjustments, you can transform your Zoom meetings and recordings into professional and engaging experiences.

Whether you're conducting business, hosting podcasts, or participating in interviews, looking and sounding your best on Zoom will help you make a memorable impression in the virtual world.