More than a year after the COVID pandemic forced many of us to go remote, we now know that video conferencing can be just as effective as an in-person meeting. This more than justifies the time you spend on your home office video conferencing setup. If you’ve been struggling to adapt to video conferencing as the new normal, this blog will help you establish the best home office setup to improve productivity and efficiency.
What is the Best Home Office Setup for Productivity?
While you may think you have a cool home office setup, is it really geared for a day filled with video conference meetings? Do you appear as professional on the video chat as you think you are? We’ve found the best home office video conferencing setups also improve worker productivity. Here are some tips for you to consider, starting with the camera and computer setup for your video conferences.
1. Lighting
Ask an actor and they’ll tell you that lighting means everything when someone is viewing you through a camera lens. Light placement 101 says that you don’t put the light source behind your camera: You’ll end up becoming a silhouette of yourself. Also, don’t put the lighting completely to one side. Have you seen the villain Two-Face in the Batman movies? Putting the camera to one side or another will create a good side/bad side effect with one cheek in the shade and the other in the light.
Instead, place the light in front of your camera or computer for a better home office video conferencing setup. It doesn’t matter if it’s natural light or a lamp, either. If you still don’t like the way you look, just add a second light source to the side with a soft light bulb. Desk lamps are great for this.
2. Audio
Audio can be very difficult to get right on a video conference. If the room is quiet, the mic on your computer should work well. However, if you’re dealing with ambient noise like traffic or air conditioning, it certainly won’t give a great impression to participants. In these situations, use a remote mic that rests a little closer to your mouth, such as headphones that have audio, or a pair of earbuds.
3. Space
For the best home video conferencing setup, you’ll want to be sure that your desk chair is in the right spot. You should be the focus of the camera, not a back wall or bookshelf or even something unprofessional like a laundry basket. You want participants in your video conference to feel like they’re having a one-on-one discussion with you. Put the camera in position so that viewers can see your shoulders and head. Be sure to be close enough so that if you relax back into your chair, your face won’t be too hard to see.
4. Camera level
Your camera level should be in line with your eyes. Direct eye contact is important when speaking with people, even if you’re screen-to-screen. Since desks are rarely eye level, you’ll want to raise the height of your laptop or the separate camera you’re using. Practice looking into the camera lens. That will give the appearance that you’re meeting the eyes of the person on the other end of the video conference.
5. Internet connectivity
All of the preparation you’ve done on your home office video conferencing setup will be wasted if you don’t have high speed internet and a secure Wi-Fi connection. Unreliable or slow internet can make your video conference glitchy. This is both frustrating and unprofessional. Once you’ve found a decent internet provider, you can raise your router higher off the ground and into the open to facilitate a better signal. In addition, check in with your service provider to ensure you have an encrypted setup to protect your privacy.
6. Video conferencing provider
You should look for a secure video conferencing provider. Research the best providers that offer end-to-end enterprise grade encryption. The provider should offer value-added features that improve communication with your team, such as integrating chat features, allowing virtual whiteboarding and providing a way for you to brand your meeting rooms. Also look for the best audio and imaging quality, with HD resolution. The video conferencing solution should allow you to screen share and run video while simultaneously talking. Does the provider require you to download software from the internet, or does it embed easily in a web browser?
While these are all great points to consider for your home office video conferencing setup, what about the space itself? What makes for a cool home office setup that also looks professional on camera?
7. Desk setup
Many people have been remote for more than a year now, so having a professional desk and not just your kitchen table probably makes sense. Having an ergonomically designed chair and desk goes beyond just making you look more professional; it’s also better for your health. It’s time to dump that kitchen bar stool and invest in some good lumbar back support. This will help you be more productive in the long run.
If you can afford it and have room, consider a standing desk, and alternate your sitting time with standing up and moving around. Most people recognize that sitting for long periods is bad for your health. If you’re designing a cool home office setup, consider making changes that are also good for you.
Finally, consider dual monitors. Expanding your workspace across dual screens is like spreading out papers on a big desk; it helps you stay organized and helps with multitasking. We recommend two identical monitors so you have the same kind of screen experience.
If you’re searching for the best home office setup video conferencing and webinar platform for productivity, efficiency, and reliability, look no further than MegaMeeting. We offer a browser-based, encrypted tool that is feature-rich, reliable, yet still affordable for even the smallest companies. Our secure best-in-class video conferencing solution can help you stay in touch with your team from your home office, or anywhere that work happens. Contact us today to find out more.
MegaMeeting solves the biggest challenges of modern video conferencing. For users, it is an all-in-one platform that delivers both video conferencing and webinars in a single, simplified interface. For attendees, it is 100% browser-based, making it highly accessible; joining a meeting is instantaneous from a single click. For enterprises, it is highly customizable, with white-labeling options for a private branded solution. For developers, it is API-driven and easy to integrate.
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