Communicate Using Video, Sound, and Lighting to Your Advantage
Communicate Using Video, Sound, and Lighting to Your Advantage
An Interview with Nick Wiget
In these challenging times, we are finding ourselves relying on video technology more than ever before to communicate. While many of us have been using Zoom and other conferencing technology for months (some even before the pandemic pushed video calls into full swing), it is easy to fall back on old habits or to assume we are already projecting our best image. However, as many video call leaders and participants can attest to, that is just not the case.
To share some wisdom and guidance on putting the best foot forward, technologically-speaking, I interviewed Nick Wiget, an educator in the field of Media and Communication. Nick has worked in media production for a number of entertainment and sports organizations. With two decades of experience, Nick shares some of his knowledge (mostly anecdotal) about how to adapt to an online work environment that requires media skills.
Question 1: Can you share your background (where you grew up, education, experience) with us?
Nick:
I grew up in the same town where I reside now, Wilmington, Ohio. Although, there have been several stops along the way before I came back home. I started my schooling at 3 years old, enrolling at a private Catholic preschool. From there on, I completed my primary and secondary school in Wilmington, then attended Xavier University my freshman year. From there, I transferred back to my hometown college, graduated, and then pursued my graduate degrees at the University of Dayton and Bowling Green State University. I kept telling folks that I’d progressively move South as I continued. In the end, I kept going North! It got colder, no doubt.
All along, I studied within the Communication field. In junior high and high school, I participated in student media and ran my own DJ service. In college, I would eventually figure out that COM was the natural choice for me, and I studied it from both a theoretical and practical approach – from communication arts to social science.
Question 2: So, let’s jump right in. People in all industries are becoming more familiar with video calls as a way to communicate than ever before. While some are naturals, others still struggle to find the best angle or make the best impression. Can you give our readers a few tips on lighting and angles—really, how to look your best during a video call?
Nick:
The simple answer is that you need good lighting and sound. If those two things are present, a lot of other issues are forgiven. Too often, I notice that folks pick a spot that’s just too dark, or they have a window behind them, turning them into silhouettes. Always make sure that your face is illuminated. And obtaining good lighting is easier than ever. A decent ring light (which is often used in photography for portraits and professional modeling) can be purchased online for less than $50. Most folks outside of TV and film never consider just how much lighting makes a difference when it comes to video quality.
Along the same lines, a decent microphone will allow folks to hear your words better and makes your video calls much more impressive. Some laptops, phones, and computers have good built-in mics, but a decent USB condenser microphone can be purchased online for a low price. I just bought one for less than $20 that works well for such a purpose.
The little things can make a huge impression when it comes to how you present yourself. Think of it like this – you dress to impress when you meet folks in person. When it comes to the online world, give yourself advantages in a presentation that will set you apart from others.
Question: How about sound? How do people enhance their voice and set up a workspace with the best acoustics? Do you recommend microphones? Headphones? What makes the best set-up to communicate successfully?
Nick:
Along the same lines as having a good mic, it’s important to have a space that’s quiet and free from distracting outside noise and sounds. This includes sounds that may come from outside of the room where you are. So, think about if there’s an active train track or construction site right outside of your space. There are a lot of good, inexpensive mics to choose from that can be easily purchased on Amazon. I have purchased several and have never been disappointed in any of them.
A USB mic is the best choice for novices, as they are often plugged and play. Headphones are optional. Most computers have noise-canceling built in so that you won’t hear the sounds over the mic. If you so choose to use headphones, I suggest just going with some type of earbud. While larger headphones may have more noise-canceling ability, it can look odd if you are wearing a big headset on your head during a video chat.
Question: Do you have any tips or tricks for backgrounds or anything else to enhance a personal space during a call?
Nick:
I tend to think that a natural background works the best. Try not to make it too busy – too much clutter may take the attention away from you and onto the objects in the background. Although some folks like playing with green screen and chromakey technology, I find that most folks don’t adjust lighting well enough to make it look good. There’s always a green halo around them. As long as your space makes you comfortable, it will likely make others feel the same.
Question: When you teach students about how to communicate effectively, what are some of the most important lessons you can give in essentially a few bullet points?
Nick:
I think it’s important to remember to focus on listening. We live in a world where there are more distractions than ever before – just think how many times you’ve checked your phone while reading this. The added noise can be detrimental to effective communication and can lead to some really negative outcomes in our relationships with others and our lives, in general.
One lesson that I impart on students was given to me when I started the process of learning how to write scripts – be clear and concise. This, of course, seems to go totally against everything that I would be taught in grad school, where it seemed like we’d say that same thing fifty different ways in order to hit page limits. HA! But the importance of being able to fully communicate and idea using as few words as possible is a valuable tool. How can we paint this picture in the minds of the listener/viewer so that they see the same thing we have envisioned? It’s harder than it sounds.
Question: You have an extensive background in broadcasting, announcing, and acting as an Emcee and DJ. Do those experiences help you communicate better on video? How so?
Nick:
In some ways, everything is a performance. There are some who study communication and feel that everything we do is a performance. I think the experiences that I have using the technology, in particular, makes me more comfortable and knowledgeable about how to approach new mediums when the situation arises. So, I know how to speak into a microphone or look into a camera – skills that have incorporated into speech classes when I have taught them. Treating a video call the same as a broadcast is a good approach, as they are the same in a great many ways. You don’t have to be a pro to understand that you want to look and sound your best. So, taking little steps to improve the video and audio quality often helps you be more confident on-screen.
Question: How can a business incorporate some principles of the broadcast industry into their daily life?
Nick:
Personally, I think every type of business would benefit from having a media professional on staff. But I realize that’s not always feasible. The businesses that have the most success understand how to use media to promote themselves and establish relationships with their customers and clients – it’s that simple. Being proactive and innovative with your use of social media and traditional media can yield great things for a business. Today, we all have more direct input when it comes to the messages we can create and distribute. Having folks who have skills in media can only be a benefit to any organization.
Question: Having a parent in a nursing home, do you see any opportunities for enhanced communication skills that may translate to other communities throughout Ohio?
Nick:
I think the advances in technology and their ease of use have really helped us, especially during a year as rough as 2020. The distances between folks begin to shrink when we incorporate some of these new and emerging technologies into such environments. And it’s important to train staff members in these communities as to how to reach out to families and others to keep loved ones connected. I feel like the pandemic forced the issue a bit, so there’s been a learning curve.
Question: Are there any online resources you recommend as people learn how to Zoom or communicate online in general?
Nick:
I actually don’t use Zoom unless someone else requests it. When the pandemic began, I started thinking of ways to use social media as a resource to stay connected to my students. So, I bought a Facebook Portal. It allows me to be able to move around a room and have the camera follow me as I demonstrate concepts. Being a video producer, I think that having the camera automatically follow me around is a great feature. It also has gesture controls, so I can get the camera to focus in on something, and then gesture to go back to a wide shot. The students loved it. They said they felt like they were in the room with me.
Question: What positives do you think have come out of the pandemic regarding communication in the workplace?
Nick:
That’s a tough one. There’s the old notion that most things for which meetings are called could simply be handled by email or phone. Now, everyone wants to schedule a hundred Zoom meetings for everything! The beauty of an online environment is that communication can be asynchronous and still be highly effective – let people work on their own time but give them deadlines they can meet.
I think folks can be just as productive working and communicating from their own environments (home or other) as they can working together in a single space. Sometimes, folks are even more productive when working from home. But you have to be well-versed in how to effectively communicate with others using technology to be successful in that endeavor.
Question: Anything else you’d like to share or suggest?
Nick:
As a bit of a nerd when it comes to technology, I would tell others to remember to have fun when it comes to using different media to communicate. If you’ve ever fancied the notion of hosting a radio or TV show, or working in some form of media, now is a good time to practice. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t take it seriously, but I find that if I’m having fun working on something, I tend to work harder and do better.
I truly appreciate Nick’s time in sharing some important thoughts about communicating online and how to make that experience more effective. Watch for future courses with Nick as a resource as his knowledge and presentation is an asset to our educational community.
Nick Wiget – Educator
Another Way to Communicate Effectively
In addition to being able to communicate online effectively, it’s also important, especially in the healthcare industry, to be able to communicate nonverbally, using body language. Our administrator and activities professional level course, Body Language: Tips and Tricks for Caregivers will go in depth about the nonverbal aspect of body language communication. Find the course here.