Need to make an important video call? Be sure to take off this embarassing feature.
Science says these are the best things to have in your video background
A wacky background might get a chuckle on Zoom or any other video call, but it’s not doing any favors for your first impression. In fact, most of the frame in a video call is all about your backdrop — not just your spiffy outfit or new haircut.
Paddy Ross from Durham University in the U.K. says, “Your background speaks volumes. Beyond how you present yourself, it’s also about what surrounds you.”
Ross and his team took 72 snaps of 36 folks, split evenly between men and women, showcasing their best grins or a poker face. These faces were then digitally placed onto six different settings: A cozy living room, the same room but blurred, a scholarly bookcase, plants neatly arranged, a plain ol’ wall, and — for some fun — that walrus scene.
Well, 167 participants then had to rate the trustworthiness and know-how of the people in these snapshots, ranking them from one (not so hot) to seven (super trustworthy and competent). It’s like real-life reality TV!
The verdict
Those framed by books or plants earned top marks. Meanwhile, our walrus pals and living room settings didn’t fare so well. Somewhere in the middle were the blurred room and basic wall.
Interestingly, ladies in the unblurred living room were seen as competent as if they were with the plants or books. Men? Not so much. Ross believes more digging is needed to unravel why gents might get the short end of the stick in certain setups.
Oh, and if you’re wondering whether to smile or stay serious, go with the grin. Gents and ladies who smiled seemed more competent and trustworthy. Probably because, as Ross suggests, it oozes self-assurance.
😀 So, next time you’re on cam, remember: Backdrop and big smiles, folks!
Make your next video meeting more fun with a cartoon version of yourself
For many of us, video meetings are an occasional novelty we indulge in with friends and family. That was the case until the pandemic made these visual chats a part of our social, educational and professional lives.
Thanks to advancing smart device tech, remote meetings are convenient and easy to do. All you need is a phone, and you’re good to go. As people look for work, in-person interviews have been replaced with video. This may take some getting used to, but we’re here to help. Tap or click here for tips on acing a remote job interview.
Phony Fabios: Think you’re being catfished? You used to be able to out them with a video call. Not anymore. Romance scammers are using video deepfakes to change their appearances in real time. They record themselves on a phone or webcam and use a face-swapping app to pose as another online cutie and charm victims — aka ask for money.
1 in 10 executives
Say their company has faced a deepfake attack. This year, one worker joined a deepfake video call with his “teammates” that was so convincing, he wired $25 million to the scammers. Companies going through IPOs, mergers or reorgs are most at risk.
How to easily turn your Android into a webcam
Remote work has always been a thing, but it’s more prevalent now, thanks to the pandemic. If you work remotely, you need a way to connect with your staff, typically done through video conferencing. Tap or click here to find out how to give your home office a high-tech makeover.
Your webcam could be listening to you and you wouldn't even know it
Working from home has ushered in a new era of essential office supplies, with webcams enjoying more prominence than ever before. It’s the one piece of equipment that you need for Zoom or Skype meetings, and you can even change the background to whatever you wish.
Zoom holiday party ideas Santa would love
Are you planning an online Christmas party? Listen to this one-minute podcast for some fun and festive ways to spice up the video call.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The best way to host a virtual holiday dinner
Families across the world are figuring out how to spend the holidays together amid the pandemic safely. A Consumer Reports poll showed just 36% of Americans surveyed planned to host or attend a get-together outside their household.
How to use fun Snapchat filters on your next video call
It’s time to kiss those boring old video meetings goodbye. Changing out your background can be fun, but sometimes you need something more to liven things up. Enter Snap Camera, a free app from the company behind Snapchat.
Facebook is taking on Zoom. Should you use it?
Zoom’s meteoric rise in popularity during the COVID-19 crisis has been nothing short of remarkable. In seemingly no time, the video-conferencing service became the go-to app for workers, educators and executives to keep their routines and livelihoods going.
How to stay in touch with your kids and grandkids during the pandemic
Do you live far from your children and those precious grandbabies? Or maybe you’re just practicing social distancing. Regardless, it can be difficult to spend so much time away from those you love, and the stress that the coronavirus pandemic adds doesn’t help.