Whether you’re spending your days on video calls for work or learning online for school, having an easy in-home studio can help you feel more confident and prepared for whatever is happening on the other side of the screen. Lisa Mitchell, communications expert & founder of Power Body Language has some tips for you to set up your space for video calls and live streaming.

1. Keep It Simple

An in-home studio set up doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You don’t need fancy green screens or big box lights to get a look that you’re proud of. You don’t want your set up to be so complicated that it becomes a distraction instead of an enhancement to your video call or online learning experience 

2. Focus On Good Lighting And Sound 

A good ring light can make all the difference in how you feel about how you’re showing up on screen. There are some great and inexpensive ring light options including those that connect to a tripod or smaller versions that can clip right on to your laptop, tablet or phone. Both are great options for decreasing shadows and giving you a wide awake glow! 

In many cases, the microphones that are in your Airpods or headphones are sufficient for getting good sound quality so you can be clearly heard and understood. In some cases, using an outside microphone such as a Blue Yeti mic may be preferred if you’re recording something where excellent sound quality is really important. Using a bluetooth or separate mic elements some of the background noise you might get from using the built-in mic on your device. 

3. Pay Attention To The Position Of Your Device 

Whether interacting on a laptop, tablet or phone, having a good stable surface and positioning it correctly can create a better online experience. If using a phone to record, consider getting a tripod to help hold the device steady and set it a flattering angle. For larger devices, using a stable desk or table instead of setting it in your lap or a lower surface can help you reduce glare and look more engaged as well. 

With so much of our communication happening on a device from home now, a few simple and inexpensive devices can help make your in-home studio feel professional and look great! 

For more from Mitchell visit her website or connect on Instagram.

For many people, live streaming on social media platforms seems like something that only influencers or celebrities do. The reality is that more and more people are choosing live streaming as a way to stay connected, meet new people and share what they love with a broader reach. Lisa Mitchell, communications expert & founder of Power Body Language explains why you should be going live. Here’s more from her:

Why Live Stream?  

Pre-produced videos have been the norm for most people since platforms started letting users share video content. These snippets can be impactful and effective, but they don’t allow for the immediate interaction with those that are viewing it like live streaming does. 

Live streaming offers you the opportunity to interact with viewers in real time, and has a more conversational feel versus a pre-recorded video just being posted to be viewed. Live streaming gives both the host and the viewer the feeling of being instantly connected and can lead to a more customized and intimate-feeling experience where a posted video can feel much more one-directional.  

Less formality, More Connection  

Although it’s always a good idea to have a clear intention in mind before your hit “go live” you should expect that as you react to comments and questions, your content may ebb and flow differently than it would in a more scripted or formal webinar format. 

People are responding positively to live streams because they get to feel like they are part of the conversation. They become an “insider” who can get access to you in a way that previously wasn’t available to them. This is a great way to build trust with your viewers/followers and let them see a more casual and less scripted side to you whatever material, thoughts, or ideas you are sharing. 

Benefits of Live Streaming: 

It’s really easy to set up: almost every social platform allows users to launch a live stream any time they feel like it. On most, it’s just as easy as posting a status or a photo would be with minimal technical knowledge required.

It’s On Demand: You can get connected to and interacting with your target audience any time and from almost anywhere. Unlike virtual events or webinars that require registration and promotion, part of the beauty of live streams is that they feel fairly spontaneous and are easy for people to just click to join in the conversation.  

You Can Use Your Body Language and Communication Skills To Your Benefit: Any time you can use video to “show up” in the room (or on the screen) with people, your can use your positive body language cues, facial expressions and vocal power to create a memorable experience with whoever is on the other side of your screen. 

Live streaming let’s people experience you and the fullness of your communications skills, so make sure you are using them to your advantage throughout your entire live stream.

To learn more, visit www.powerbodylanguage.com or connect on Instagram at @lisamitchellindy.