We are all doing it now – in order to work, we need to video conference. Maybe you’re also joining on a podcast or starting your own.

I was on a video call where participants used the webcams on their laptops, which pointed up to their faces. Others had their webcams on their monitors, looking down on their faces. Some cases, the lighting in the room was horrible, and they did not look their best.

These issues can reflect badly on the participant. It could be no different than showing up to work in tattered clothes. Looking – and sounding your best is important when you are teleconferencing, joining live streams, and even podcasting.

It only takes a few tweaks to make your area look and sound so much better.

How to Set Up Your Area

If I was doing a teleconference right now – through a laptop webcam – laptop is on my lap.

First of all, assess which room you will use for your teleconference. Is it a room that can be closed off to family traffic? Does the room have a noisy bounce to it when you clap your hands? When you sit in front of the camera, what do people see behind you?

Some people might not have many options for their space. Especially if they live in a small apartment. But the good news is you don’t need much space to set up for conference.

Laptop on the table, camera looking up on me.

A good spot that has minimal clutter allows for the best scene. If you can turn your desk so a wall is at your back is the best option. In the photo above, I was on my couch, with the laptop on my lap.

While it looks OK, people will notice that I am on my couch. The notebook cam is lower than my face, so you get an upward view – looking into my nostrils. The lighting is glaring on my glasses, and the back-light is washing out the scene.

Webcam – How to Place

If you use the webcam from your laptop, then raising the camera to eye-level is key. Setting the computer on a desk, raising it with a box or stand, and you’ll look a lot better when presenting.

This laptop stand from Pyle is only $16, and can raise the computer up to 13 inches off the desktop. You can then level the screen so your face is properly in the shot.

This stand collapses quickly, and takes up minimal storage space.

When you level the screen, you can see what’s going on, and give the illusion that you are looking at the person, rather than the screen, where their faces actually are.

A webcam on a stand allows you to keep the laptop on your desk, especially if you are using it to help give a presentation. Something like the Logitech Webcam 920S can be put on a tripod, and works well in PC and Mac computers. Installing the software allows you to control the light, color, and focus.

A webcam can also distance you a bit, so you have more than a head in the shot. That way, you can show off your clothing style as well.

Using a Phone or Tablet Camera?