• For a reliable Internet connection

• • Ideally, have a wired Ethernet connection from your computer to your router instead of using WiFi
  • If you are using WiFi, sit in a place where your signal is strong. 
  • Minimize other Internet traffic: ask housemates not to be online while you’re on.

• For best lighting

• • The more light, the better. Computer webcams are not very light sensitive so they perform better with plenty of light.
  • You should face the brightest part of the room, so that the light falls on your face. Avoid bright windows in the background, and if your room is dark, turn on the room lights. Extreme bright areas and extreme dark areas will confuse the auto exposure in your webcam and will make your face too dark or too bright.
  • Ideally, position yourself so that a diffuse light in front of you that is directed at your face–in daytime, a window that’s slightly off to one side of the camera; at nighttime, if you need more light, use a desk lamp directed at your face, with a sheet of Bounce fabric softener to diffuse the light and make it less harsh.

• For best picture

• • • Clean your lens. Easily forgotten, easily smudged because we don’t think of our laptops as a camera.
    • Raise your webcam to eye level by putting your notebook computer on top of a box or a stack of books
    • Adjust your picture so that your face takes up a good amount of the screen, by angling your laptop’s lid. A common mistake is to leave too much room above your head. Leave just a small amount of “headroom”.
    • Dress your background. Not too busy. Not too distracting because this will distract from your message. Virtual backgrounds don’t usually work well, especially if your lighting setup is sub-par.
      

• For best Personal Appearance

• • Look into the camera, not at your monitor. When you don’t look into your camera, it appears that you’re avoiding eye contact.
  • Solid-colored shirts are better than a patterned shirt. Avoid white shirts. 
  • Choose a color that makes you stand out against your background.

• For best Audio

• • Use a headset or earbuds with a mic. A microphone that is close to your mouth will sound better than the built-in mic in your laptop. 
  • In a web meeting, mute yourself until you speak, especially if you’re not using a headset or earbuds