Virtual meetings became incredibly popular since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. Now, in-person meetings are slowly returning, but virtual meetings are still here to stay. After over a year of zoom calls, many are burnt out from virtual meetings. Therefore, your virtual meetings need to be creating experiences with next-level production.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. There are many levels of virtual meeting production that can still create memorable experiences for your attendees. We will go over and provide examples for video, lighting, and audio that range from low cost to big budget. Depending on your budget and type of meeting, there are tricks that will take your virtual meetings to the next level.
Option 1: Low Budget for Virtual Meeting Production
Video
A good start for video could be your webcam built into your computer or an external webcam. For example, a Logitech Brio webcam, that you can plug into your computer. Here one of the biggest pros is that you have the opportunity to make a greater impact on your audience at a lower cost. The con with using your built-in webcam or attached webcam is that the quality of the video will not be as great as a professional video camera. Overall, this option works best for beginners due to its easy-to-use functionality.
Lighting
For lighting, you can simply place a lamp in front of you or you can sit in front of a window. Just be aware of how the lighting makes you look to the viewers on your screen. You will want to make sure you do not look washed out, so sit far enough back from the source for the best lighting. Another tip is not to have a light source behind you because that can make you dark and unseen to the viewers.
Audio
The low-budget options for audio are using the internal mic on your computer or headphones. The Internal Mic in your computer is a good start but isn’t the best option for the long run. Using headphones instead can block a lot of ambient sounds that could be distracting to your audience. Many plug-in headphones today come with a built-in microphone as well. Be sure to check if this is a feature when doing your research for headphones.
Option 2: Decent Budget for Virtual Meeting Production
Video
The next level for video production would be to connect a DSLR camera to your computer for better quality during your virtual meeting. DSLR cameras are not the cheapest compared to option 1 for video. The price of this type of camera can range from $450 to $1,000+, but there are many pros to investing. They provide better video quality and more flexibility in settings for your virtual meeting.
Lighting
Something a little higher-tech than option 1 is investing in a ring light, a circular light that provides lighting with little shadow. When it comes to the price of a ring light, it can range from $15 to $150 depending on the size of the ring and the number of watts. There are many options to choose from that will suit your decent-sized budget for production.
Audio
The middle-level option for audio can be AirPods or a USB Microphone. AirPods are typically somewhere between $150 to $250. One suggestion for a great USB Microphone is a Blue Yeti microphone. The Blue Yeti is known to be the World’s #1 Best USB Microphone and costs about $129. It is an investment that will increase the quality of your virtual presentation.
Option 3: High Budget for Virtual Meeting Production
If you have a high budget for production, you might choose to hire a production company that will have all the latest and greatest technology as well as the expertise on how to use it. This may include but is not limited to video, audio, lighting, and staging. Typically, this option is best for bigger virtual conferences and keynote sessions.
Just remember, whichever option works best for you and your company that content is king. What you are offering is what attendees will take away the most from your virtual meeting, production just assists in showcasing your content. Check out 7 Best Activities to Have at Your Next Virtual Meeting for ideas to keep your attendees engaged throughout your virtual meeting.