Given our current environment, many financial professionals are struggling to navigate the abrupt transition into exclusively digital meetings with their clients and prospects. We’ve all had that moment where we look down at our webcam video, chat, or webinar and been distracted by how unflattering the shot is. It may be a poor light source; you appear ghostly white or a dark silhouette. Maybe it’s an unfortunate camera angle; straight up the nostrils. LifePro put together 10 quick tips to make you look both presentable and professional on camera, so you can stop worrying about your appearance and focus on delivering the best message to your clients.
1. Clean your lens
This first tip is straight forward but can drastically improve the quality of your video. Note: make sure to use a microfiber lens cloth, so you do not scratch the surface.
2. Face a light source
Make sure that your primary light source is in front of you, not behind or on top. Natural light is always a plus if you have access to a large window, but lamps will work as well.
3. Use a stand or tripod
For those recording with phones or tablets, it is important to stabilize the camera. You want to avoid any major mishaps like your phone falling over, but this will also help with any slight bouncing or vibrations on your work surface.
4. Camera should be at eye level
Artists, designers, and videographers follow the “rule of thirds.” Your eyes should be about two thirds up from the bottom of your screen. This will keep the overall composition balanced, and you will not have any wasted space around the frame.
5. Center yourself in the frame
To ensure your clients stay focused on you, center yourself in the frame. If you are using your smartphone to record, most camera settings have an option to turn on a grid that will help with the rule of thirds and making sure you are centered. Click here for iPhone instructions.
6. Clean up the background
Once you have your lighting and frame set, take some time to remove any unnecessary or possibly distracting items from the background.
7. Dress comfortably, but stand out
We encourage our advisors to dress comfortably for any client meeting (if you’re uncomfortable, your clients can tell!), but it is crucial to maintain a professional appearance. It is also important to consider the color of your background when choosing what to wear to make sure there is enough contrast between you and your environment. If you’re in a mostly white space, opt for the darker color shirt. If your wall color is navy blue, try out the white shirt.
8. Be mindful of your audio
We recommend using headphones with a built-in microphone to help produce a clear sound. You can plug the headphones directly into your phone or computer.
9. Look directly at the lens
Make sure to keep your focus on the camera lens when speaking so your clients know you are talking directly to them. Eye contact is just as important digitally as it is in person!
10. Speak confidently!
In times of such uncertainty, your clients and prospects may be scared and feel powerless given the recent economic environment. Past economic downturns have shown that fear may cause paralysis and prevent rational decisions to improve financial health. Assume your clients that you are here to help them take control of their finances.
Resources
We collected several resources to help you with your upcoming digital consultations. If you have any questions, please reach out to your FSR at (888) 543-3776 .
We’re here to help!
The LifePro team is here to help in any way we can. We’ve been testing and working on the various platforms to understand what works and what doesn’t work. If you’re still new to this type of communication, please reach out to your FSR at (888) 543-3776 and they will help you get started!