• 9.4: Background

    Whether presenting from your office or home, focus your camera on a blank wall space to eliminate distractions. If that is not possible, clean up your office shelves and remove any mess from your camera shot. You do not want to include anything that will distract your audience from their connection with you and your message.

    Taking your surroundings seriously demonstrates you are fully present to your audience. Put the cat in another room, the dog outside, the kids next door, and attach a sign to your door that communicates your need for privacy. Avoid anything that can make noise, including your phone, doorbell, air conditioning unit, and street traffic. Finally, close out any personal and irrelevant applications on your computer that could interrupt your presentation, such as email or messaging alerts.