Do you need to upgrade your audio and video to do social media and zoom meetings? Is it lights, camera, audio and action or are you stalling? Your images, and video quality do matter. The right lighting makes all the difference. Here's a random collection of tips that you still have to do when you upgrade your audio and video. Start now and make whatever you're using better! Tips to  upgrade audio and video presence online Always front lit not back lit Straight on, warm light, no shadows – 2 from the sides But if you have a video where the video matters less than the audio and audio is fine, it’s a go! They have to hear you. A microphone – your earbuds might work (make sure they’re plugged in and the source) A room with carpet, rugs, books, furniture improves acoustics dramatically over a tile or hardwood floor in a room without “soft” furniture. You in light clothing against a dark background or vice versa Making full workout videos, you want a microphone (wireless pack) plugged into your recording device For zoom and webinars on other platforms a webcam (not on your computer) makes a big difference. The image is sharper not grainy and dark. I have a logi tech BRIO that’s relatively new. I got tired of terrible images. The importance of connecting now while we’re online is more important than ever. Get lighting that also boosts your video quality. A pair of Elgato key lights have been a great investment for me. One might be enough. Don’t let a story you tell yourself about a need to upgrade your audio and video be an excuse though! If you’re truthfully stalling because you don’t want to do it anyway, this is another story. Below are a few of the worst mistakes you can make: Not doing anything! (your phone has an amazing camera in it and major fitness brands have shot video – including programs on their phone) Shooting video outdoors with traffic going by Shooting outdoors in windy (at all) conditions Shooting yourself against a bright window (you’ll be in silhouette) Tips to enhance video: Make your background brand-specific Plan your clothing – brand specific and so that you stand out. Most of all... know the "look" you're going for and do it. Whether you're on a plane taking a selfie with a "fan" - the first time this happened to me three years ago I was so surprised... and humbled. Here's why... I'd been in a super big hurry, worked til the last minute, left for the airport essentially in a baseball cap and old sweats (not really but you get the idea, no shower no makeup). Of course that's when it happens! Kind of a fail for my brand though it was very authentic! If you always use a filter... do. If you never do, don't. But don't be sometimes using and sometimes not.  If you always do close ups, do. If it's always food or people or ...  you decide. Call the shots. The content you use the message you share should be so strong they'll tolerate a poor audio occasionally. But make it the absolute exception. Sometimes that killer content you'll have to kill to stay on the quality brand you want.  Resources: Logi tech Brio Elgato key light Zencastr.com Libsyn.com