If there is one thing the pandemic has revealed to us more than anything else, it’s how terrible people are at video conferencing.

Whether it is the “up-the-nostril” laptop webcam shot, the dark-cave lighting problems or someone munching trail mix during the steering committee meeting, our collective quarantine has really demonstrated that most people don’t quite have the hang of the video call. And don’t even get started on what people apparently think appropriate to wear (or not wear) for the weekly status meeting…

I wondered if my smart friends might have some tips for effective video conferencing. I was also interested in finding out what sort of products and equipment they’re using and what recommendations they might have for folks just setting up a home office and learning the video conferencing ropes.

In this episode:

• What are the top etiquette tips for video calls?
• Everything you needed to know about lighting
• What kind of camera do you really need?
• Best headsets and microphones for your calls
• Why you really should consider two monitors
• Why presence still matters… be professional people!

Add your thoughts to the conversation on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Here are the setups each of us are using for the podcast:

	Computer: MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) Headset/speakers: Mpow 071 USB Headset with Microphone (It works well enough. On the cord are buttons for muting both the audio and the microphone. It’s my cough button.) 2nd Monitor: 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display Lighting: RALENO LED Video Soft Light Panel with LCD Display Camera: I alternate between the Mac camera and the camera in the Thunderbolt Display. I most often use the one in the display.
	Computer: MacBook Headset/speakers: MacBook Built-in Lighting: Home lighting and windows Camera: Logitech C920 HD Pro
	Computer: MacBook Headset/speakers: Mpow 071 USB Headset with Microphone Lighting: Home lighting and windows Camera: Logitech C920 on order!
	Computer: Windows 10 Desktop (AMD Ryzen 9, 32GB RAM) Monitor: LG 38UC99-W 38″ Curved Ultrawide Headset/speakers: Monitor Built-in Microphone: Blue Yeti USB Microphone (Prime Red) Lighting: RALENO LED Video Soft Light Panel with LCD Display Camera: Logitech C920 HD Pro
	Computer: Basic corporate laptop 2nd Monitor: HP EliteDisplay E243 23.8-inch Display Headset/speakers: Mpow 071 USB Headset with Microphone Lighting: Home lighting and windows (RALENO on order!)