Introvert’s Guide To Feeling Comfy on Zoom
Including: How to turn on Zoom’s hidden Fountain of Youth Filter.
by Thea Fiore-Bloom, Ph.D
I want to get on a Zoom call just about as much as I want an IRS audit, a gum scaling, or a “Six Pack Abs” workout.
Why do I avoid Zoom? Well, like you, I’m an introvert.
Most of us creatives are.
And that’s a good thing.
Because our job as creatives is to dive into the deep blue – camp out there and send messages back to the surface about what we’ve seen or heard.
Yet now the times dictate that we race up out of the depths, slam our dripping wet diving helmets on the desk — and get on a Zoom call?
Are you kidding me?
But Anais Ninn had a point when she said; “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
So let’s get the skinny on how to look, sound, and even feel good on a Zoom call.
Come check out the 5 road-tested tips I discovered. I bet they’ll work wonders for you too.
Zoom Call Tip 1:
Get a Big ‘Ole Stack of Books
Don’t want to look like Jabba the Hutt?
Then don’t let anyone (including you) film you from a low vantage point.
Grab a big ‘ole stack of books and put them under your laptop. Stack until the camera is at, or a little above, your seated eye level.
Download the Zoom app if you haven’t already, then go to the Zoom test page and see what a difference this makes.
The good news? You’ll look way thinner!
The bad news? If you haven’t chosen the right window or added the right lighting, you still may feel you look 112 years old and want to chuck it all.
Never fear, we can fix this, keep reading.
Zoom Call Tip 2:
Find Your Dream Window
Natural light from the front is key to not looking like a serial killer on zoom.
Side lighting will shade half your face making you look like an eclipse; not a good look either.
But whatever you do, don’t place your set up with the window behind you! Trust me, I tried this. I looked like a talking silhouette in the witness protection program.
If possible, place a makeshift desk a few feet in front of a sheer curtained window.
If you don’t have a good front-facing window or that window is in the wrong place in your house (i.e. it’s in a place with bad internet reception, or it’s in the path your grandkids usually ride the dog through), you’ll have to go with plan B.
Plan B: Set up your desk in a quieter, darker place and plunk down a plain old table lamp close to or behind your laptop computer or smartphone.
Take the lampshade off and turn it on. Voila, cheapo stage lighting.
If you test this out on Zoom, you will see you look way better, maybe you’ll feel only …88 years old.
No worries, we’re not done yet!
Zoom Tip Three:
Artificial Light Can Be Your New Best Friend
If the lamp sans shade didn’t do it for you, get a lovely, youth-inducing, dimmable, ring light for under twenty-five bucks. (Make sure you’re not facing a ring light right on, or it will create weird circles in your pupils.)
The ring light I love comes with a free wee tripod and a built-in clamp your smartphone clips into (in case you want to be perfectly lit when you Zoom call on your phone instead of a computer.)
Oh, I’ve also heard wrapping some cheap fairy lights around your phone may also help.
Watch Rena Hedeman’s video below if need someone to walk you through all the info on lighting:
I bet by now, you are looking better (which only matters because it has the effect of making YOU feel more comfortable and confident.)
But wait, there’s more.
Now you are ready for the pièce de résistance, what I call, the fountain of youth filter.
Zoom Call Bonus Tip
The Fountain of Youth Lighting Setting
If Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon stumbled on this button in his search for the fountain of youth in Florida in the 1500’s he might have felt the expedition wasn’t a total waste of time after all.
You just need to switch on the “Touch Up My Appearance” setting on Zoom to look dewy, glowy, and fabulous without much makeup. Watch this super short video from Sheryl Plouffe to find out how:
Okay, by now, you look fabulous. But what’s the use of looking great if you sound terrible?
Zoom Call Tip 4 :
Wanna Sound Good? Get a Good, Inexpensive Mic
The Zoom techs have done a lot to make you sound ok just talking into the mic built into your iPhone or laptop.
But if you want to sound a smidge better, try popping on those earbuds that came with your phone. You know, the ones that have that white rectangular microphone built into them? (See photo to left.)
But want to sound silky and respectable for classes, interviews, and the like? Use a USB microphone. There are dozens of high-quality /low-price options, and they’re easy to set up.
I use the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone for podcasting as well as Zoom. It plugs right into the port on the side of my mac.
But the beautiful Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic would be an excellent choice for your first microphone.
For a helpful, short video that simply explains techy aspects of better-sounding zoom calls, go here.
Let’s finish up by talking about how to feel less nervous on Zoom.
Zoom Call Tip 5:
Make it Sacred
The other tips thus far have dealt with surface details to help you look and sound good.
But I did promise to address how to feel good, especially if you’re teaching anything to others on a Zoom call.
So here’s my answer for introverts like us: after we get the tech stuff taken care of, we need to change the focus from outer to inner.
We need to try to make it sacred.
By that, I mean at some point, we have to stop running around with our hair on fire worried if people will approve of us or not.
Instead, we need to focus on what our imperfect but beautiful heart wants to say that might help a few other imperfect but beautiful hearts out there that might be listening.
What can you communicate to your audience that will help them understand how to approach something differently or help them get through a difficult time?
Okay, hope those tips give you the support you might need to shine on Zoom.
Over To You: What Do You Think?
Do you love Zoom? Hate Zoom?
Got any tech questions? Lay ’em on me.
Got any zoom tips? I’d love to know in the comments below.
This post contains affiliate links to electronic products on Amazon.com.
My last job had us use Zoom, and having the camera on was mandatory. It felt intrusive and weird to me, especially since I live in a small space. I made it as fun as possible by setting weird memes as my background photo. The whole reason I took a work-from-home job is that I spent years working in offices, and I’m worn out from hours of face-to-face meetings, office politics, and “water cooler talk.” They make a lot of noise about being diverse and inclusive company, but they sure weren’t introvert-friendly.
P.S. I LOVE my Blue Yeti mic. Great suggestion!
Thanks for commenting Nicole. One day I want to get a Blue Yeti like you have. I have the audio technica which works great, is cheaper – but is not nearly as cool looking.
Yes, non introverts don’t get that having a camera in one’s face isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Zoom is a great tool but In some cases it can put the kibosh on creativity. I was in a membership that had small monthly meetings of 6 or so women lead by a dynamic, well meaning coach. But, to get into her monthly meetings you had to click on a legal agreement to be recorded on video so the coach could use the meetings as content for her membership site. I don’t think the coach realized that this shut down people from truly openly sharing vulnerabilities or problems they were facing in their own businesses. The coach got to “repurpose content” but she lost members like me who wanted a different off-camera environment to learn in.
Hi Thea,
I HATE Zoom! But I want to use it so I really appreciated this post. I’ve done everything wrong so of course my appearance on Zoom leaves a lot of room for improvement.
I ordered the ring light, which will be delivered next week. Then I opened Zoom on my laptop and iPhone and adjusted the settings for better results.
There’s one more thing I can do to improve my appearance–buy and use some new foundation and use the mascara that doesn’t get used much anymore. I love not feeling like I need to bother with makeup, but my desire to use Zoom and not look terrible is a higher priority.
So, thank you for helping me start 2021 with a better attitude about Zoom meetings.
Happy New Year!
Sharon I am so proud of you taking the plunge with me! I used to hate zoom until I did all the research for the post. Now that I applied all the tricks of the trade I learned thus far I still am nervous but feel much more comfortable. I even enjoyed the zoom meditation I attended on solstice this past week. I hope you will be feeling the same way soon. That Ubeezie light is great. Just make sure not to position it directly behind your computer camera, place it off to the side a tad so you don’t have those circular alien-like light reflections in your irises that you see some folks have on CNN etc. And also if you use the light, don’t have a reflective surface behind you, like a framed piece with glass over it. Because the circular reflection shows up there too. Otherwise it is so fun, experiment with the cool or warm light settings. Be well, congrats.
Thank you for the additional tips about lighting. I have a strong side light from a window by my desk that definitely gives me the phantom of the opera look. I’m looking forward to testing the new light when it comes.
LOL, I hear ya. I have been there. It’s amazing what a difference positioning your desk differently and adding a little light will do. Fingers crossed for you.
i use a post it note to remember to record after introductions- the looking at the camera is just practice over time. You could write – look I’m up here.
Here is one – resist looking at yourself on the screen . Practice looking right into the camera so they ( the audience ) feel you making a connection
Thanks, Lauren! Great point. But how do you remember to do this? I’ve heard putting a post-it note above the camera with a smiley face helps….but I don’t know if that will work.
It was this: “Instead, we need to focus on what our imperfect but beautiful heart wants to say that might actually help a few other imperfect but beautiful hearts out there that might be listening.” Thank you. Golden. ☀️💛
Ahhhhh that is nice of you to let me know. So glad I didn’t chicken out and edit that out. You’re the best. Can’t wait to attend your Zoom solstice meditation on Dec 20th!
Dude! A beauty button? I’m in!
Best tip ever, and thanks to you and the folks at Zoom I can appear on camera without my (oh my gosh it’s COVID) face mask.
Thank you beautiful Laura. But do tell me how you like that button after you toggle it on. It is weird how much more relaxed it can make you, like you have bodyguards, or backup, lol.
Perfect! I think you wrote that just for me today. I have a Zoom call artist talk with the National Ornamental Metal Museum gallery tour next week, so will take everything to heart. Right now working on where to get good lighting and still have my tools in the background.
Oh Louise, having a call with a museum carrying you work is a wonderful achievement. Congratulations! But I also understand it might make you nervous. The lighting is easier than you think. If you don’t have a good front -facing window try the ring light. And oh yes, keep that fabulous handcrafted hammer (and other tools of yours) in view! I think it is worth it to take a morning and make a temporary or permanent mini-zoom studio with a cool backdrop. It’s an honoring of your work. I bet you will be fantastic.I am currently arranging my assemblage pieces (which also double as book nook shelf art) in and amongst my bookshelf /zoom background. I’m being interviewed by Sergio for his “Breakfast with Sergio Podcast” for Artists in December. Gulp. Wish me luck.
Thea! Congratulations. I hope you share a link in your emails. You will do fine with this.
You are right. I will organize a light so my tools and my precious hammer are behind me. Right now sporting a Wookiee hair cut due to Covid, but I have the Boom sticks for make up and it is super for old ladies (I am 74).
We got 6 pieces on the cover of the Metal Museum Christmas look book.
What are Boom sticks? Enquiring minds want to know.
Oooh also can you drop a link in a new comment here for that Christmas Look Book you guys are in? I would love to see it and share it with other artist readers who are interested in trying to get art in museum stores.
Thanks for the link to the Metal Museums Catalog I will post it here.
https://www.metalmuseum.org/online-store/Kitchen-Home-c52902894
Thea, thank you for these amazing tips! I watched the videos and found them to be very helpful.(and funny). I appreciate the photos of the mics!
Thanks Sylvia for your taking the time to let me know. I am still terrified of Zoom, but way less so after I did some research. Hope it helps. And yes the mics are cool huh?! And they are a creative outlet. A mic lets you take yourself a little more seriously which is always good for artists to do, since society doesn’t always take us seriously, lol.