October 21, 2025 • 35 mins
Master the laptop lifestyle! Learn 5 virtual office must-haves to work from anywhere and look professional everywhere.
Can you really work from anywhere and still show up looking professional? Absolutely. In this episode, we share the five virtual office must-haves every remote, hybrid, or digital nomad professional needs to master the laptop lifestyle.
From smart tech setups to lighting that loves you, this episode will help you bring confidence, clarity, and credibility to every virtual meeting—no matter where you log in from.
You’ll learn how to: ✅ Choose the right hardware and platform for seamless performance 💡 Set up lighting that flatters you (and builds trust on screen) 🎤 Sound professional with travel-friendly audio tools 🎥 Frame your shot and background for instant virtual presence 🌐 Stay connected anywhere with reliable Wi-Fi and backup options
Whether you’re working from a home office, hotel room, or coffee shop, you’ll discover simple, portable solutions to make your virtual setup presentation ready anywhere.
🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
- Group Virtual Office Audit → 🔗Group Virtual Office Audit Registration
- Go-Live Emergency Preparedness Checklist, email us at happiness@virtualofficeaudit.com for a copy!
- Favorite portable lights, mics, and adapters (As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)
🔗 Mokin MacBook Docking Station
🎧 Listen now and learn how to make your portable office your power platform
If you learned something from our episode, please like, download and review us! Every download helps!! Thank you.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey, fellow humans.
Welcome back to the Virtual Presentation Skills podcast.
This is the show where we mix professional wisdom, a dash of humor, and a lot of really cool brain science.
I'm Kimberly, one of your co-hosts.
And I'm Kathy, the other co-host, we are so excited for the pillar that we're focusing on this week, which is Work from Anywhere.
(00:25):
Today's episode is Laptop Lifestyle.
The five virtual office must haves.
If you are a digital nomad or you are a remote worker or even a hybrid worker, work from home.
You can work from anywhere and look professional everywhere, we are going to share with you exactly how you can do that.
(00:50):
Our goal is to help you look and sound and present like a pro in every virtual space, no matter where you are.
Sometimes we work from home.
Sometimes it's in a hotel.
Maybe if you're really brave, it's in a hammock.
I'm not that brave.
No, no, no, no, no.
(01:10):
I have never worked from a hammock, but I have sat on the beach and attended a meeting, and I can tell you I felt really.
Powerful and really confident that I could make that lifestyle work.
Now, do I do that all the time? Absolutely not.
But if I'm traveling, just even with you and I, if we have a meeting that we feel like we cannot miss, I wanna be able to set up my virtual office no matter where I am, and I don't wanna worry about battling.
(01:41):
Lighting or weak wifi or those very awkward camera angles.
Hashtag end the nose madness.
The laptop lifestyle isn't always as effortless as it looks on Instagram.
There is some work that goes on behind the scenes.
So today we are going to break it all down and walk you through those five virtual office must-haves, which are the essentials to make your setup.
(02:09):
Portable professional and presentation ready no matter where you are. 26 00:02:14,853.33333333 --> 00:02:24,3.33333333 So grab your notebook, open your favorite note taking app, and let's get to the strategy behind creating your portable professional workspace. 27 00:02:25,563.33333333 --> 00:02:44,403.33333333 Kathy, have you seen social media posts where there's an influencer perhaps sitting at a cafe somewhere in Bali with their laptop open? Maybe a latte in hand, just smiling effortlessly at the camera? Well, not in Bali, no. 28 00:02:44,613.33333333 --> 00:03:12,53.33333333 But I have seen people with, their headphones on in coffee shops, what you don't see in the background is the glare on the screen, the noisy espresso machine in the background, the weak wifi signal that keeps dropping the Zoom or the WebEx or the MS teams keeps dropping those calls and those connections you were sharing with me earlier. 29 00:03:12,643.33333333 --> 00:03:24,133.33333333 You don't know who in the world would present or give a training or join a meeting if they were in an airport or at a cafe. 30 00:03:24,613.33333333 --> 00:03:26,143.33333333 So that was your question earlier. 31 00:03:26,143.33333333 --> 00:03:27,823.33333333 Right, exactly. 32 00:03:27,823.33333333 --> 00:03:29,263.33333333 I would be so uncomfortable. 33 00:03:29,263.33333333 --> 00:03:29,353.33333333 Mm-hmm. 34 00:03:29,893.33333333 --> 00:03:32,263.33333333 Doing a presentation in. 35 00:03:32,648.33333333 --> 00:03:37,438.33333333 The coffee shop or airport or somewhere other than a quiet space Mm-hmm. 36 00:03:37,678.33333333 --> 00:03:38,518.33333333 Mm-hmm. 37 00:03:38,548.33333333 --> 00:03:41,28.33333333 Well, that's what we'd like to do today is. 38 00:03:42,18.33333333 --> 00:04:06,583.33333333 Share with you all of the ways that you can increase your ability to communicate clearly, show up in a professional manner, as well as maintain credibility so it isn't as easy and as seamless and as polished as it looks when you're seeing some of those recordings that are in these very, very interesting places. 39 00:04:06,613.33333333 --> 00:04:10,63.33333333 It does take time to set up one of the best ways. 40 00:04:10,73.33333333 --> 00:04:18,533.33333333 That you can learn the foundation for working from anywhere is the group Virtual office audit, virtual office audit.com. 41 00:04:18,593.33333333 --> 00:04:28,583.33333333 This will help you master the foundational techniques you need to lead you on the journey toward success. 42 00:04:28,883.33333333 --> 00:04:34,373.33333333 Now, let's go ahead and dive into those five must-haves like we promise. 43 00:04:34,378.33333333 --> 00:04:39,353.33333333 Kathy, I think you should share the first one because this is near and dear to your heart. 44 00:04:39,413.33333333 --> 00:04:39,653.33333333 Oh. 45 00:04:40,78.33333333 --> 00:04:41,338.33333333 Of course you do, Kimberly. 46 00:04:41,818.33333333 --> 00:04:45,448.33333333 So the first one is talking about your hardware. 47 00:04:46,168.33333333 --> 00:04:55,198.33333333 If your laptop is more than five years old, chances are you're fighting sluggish processing, low resolution video and limited port options. 48 00:04:55,288.33333333 --> 00:04:55,408.33333333 Mm-hmm. 49 00:04:55,648.33333333 --> 00:04:57,28.33333333 And I can attest to that. 50 00:04:57,268.33333333 --> 00:05:04,288.33333333 My computer is actually doing that and unfortunately it is over five years old, so I have to work on updating that now. 51 00:05:04,338.33333333 --> 00:05:09,288.33333333 We all need to look for consistency with performance. 52 00:05:09,588.33333333 --> 00:05:25,38.33333333 What we'd like to recommend are some tech details such as a minimum of 16 gigs of ram, a dedicated webcam, preferably not the one that's built in, but some of the newer ones that are built in are pretty good. 53 00:05:25,548.33333333 --> 00:05:42,288.33333333 You definitely need a solid state drive to maintain the consistency in the speed I have the Moen, which is one of the adapters, and I can plug, I believe, nine different devices into it, and I really like it. 54 00:05:42,618.33333333 --> 00:05:45,48.33333333 Now, when I first purchased this MacBook Pro. 55 00:05:45,558.33333333 --> 00:05:54,198.33333333 I did not appreciate the fact that I was not told I would need an adapter for the port for different accessories. 56 00:05:54,198.33333333 --> 00:05:59,238.33333333 While I found out very quickly I needed to spend an extra, I think it was a hundred dollars. 57 00:05:59,273.33333333 --> 00:06:01,463.33333333 Somewhere right around there for that Moen. 58 00:06:02,243.33333333 --> 00:06:10,233.33333333 But once I made the purchase and I sucked it up, I became accustomed to carrying the adapter with me no matter where I go. 59 00:06:10,503.33333333 --> 00:06:11,763.33333333 And it works great. 60 00:06:11,763.33333333 --> 00:06:14,763.33333333 There's no degradation of speed or anything. 61 00:06:15,393.33333333 --> 00:06:18,33.33333333 So Moen, we really do enjoy your product. 62 00:06:18,513.33333333 --> 00:06:22,233.33333333 Of course, you are probably going to want to consider sponsoring this podcast. 63 00:06:23,253.33333333 --> 00:06:23,673.33333333 Of course. 64 00:06:23,943.33333333 --> 00:06:28,413.33333333 I know we're new, but we're growing and we love your product. 65 00:06:29,283.33333333 --> 00:06:32,643.33333333 Let's move on to the presentation platform. 66 00:06:32,643.33333333 --> 00:06:36,63.33333333 This is still under step number one. 67 00:06:36,363.33333333 --> 00:06:41,493.33333333 We all use services like Zoom, MS. 68 00:06:41,493.33333333 --> 00:06:43,833.33333333 Teams, Google Meet WebEx. 69 00:06:43,863.33333333 --> 00:06:46,113.33333333 Scoot is one of the newest ones. 70 00:06:46,163.33333333 --> 00:06:49,463.33333333 The key isn't which platform you're using. 71 00:06:49,943.33333333 --> 00:06:51,623.33333333 We are platform agnostic. 72 00:06:51,623.33333333 --> 00:06:57,803.33333333 We have training programs that meet the needs of every single platform. 73 00:06:58,463.33333333 --> 00:07:01,373.33333333 It's how well you use the platform. 74 00:07:01,493.33333333 --> 00:07:14,903.33333333 For example, Kathy, how long do you think it took you to become comfortable with being in presenter mode and sharing your screen confidently? How long did that take? Oh gosh. 75 00:07:14,953.33333333 --> 00:07:19,433.33333333 It took me a little while to do it's just a lot of practice. 76 00:07:19,463.33333333 --> 00:07:25,943.33333333 When I first went through the group virtual office audit, I implemented those tips, and right away there was a huge difference. 77 00:07:26,303.33333333 --> 00:07:26,333.33333333 Mm. 78 00:07:26,333.33333333 --> 00:07:30,343.33333333 But I'm still tweaking how I do my presentations online. 79 00:07:30,388.33333333 --> 00:07:31,318.33333333 Mm-hmm. 80 00:07:31,348.33333333 --> 00:07:31,768.33333333 Right. 81 00:07:31,888.33333333 --> 00:07:37,468.33333333 Well, I think most people are still, they're clicking a button and hoping for the best, right? Yeah. 82 00:07:38,248.33333333 --> 00:07:48,833.33333333 There aren't very many of us that are comfortable with breakout rooms, for example, we do a lot of work with virtual backgrounds and helping you get your virtual background up to date. 83 00:07:49,928.33333333 --> 00:07:54,788.33333333 Really how to screen share on all of the different platforms without fumbling. 84 00:07:54,788.33333333 --> 00:07:58,868.33333333 That's really, really important, especially if you are expected to screen share. 85 00:07:58,868.33333333 --> 00:07:58,958.33333333 Mm-hmm. 86 00:07:59,318.33333333 --> 00:08:05,348.33333333 And then what do you do for a backup when your tech fails? It's not if your tech is going to fail. 87 00:08:05,558.33333333 --> 00:08:12,98.33333333 Trust me, I've been working in this industry over 20 years, and my tech will fail when I least expected. 88 00:08:12,308.33333333 --> 00:08:18,428.33333333 For example, Kathy and I were meeting with a potential new client just a week ago. 89 00:08:18,428.33333333 --> 00:08:18,438.33333333 Mm. 90 00:08:18,438.33333333 --> 00:08:18,518.33333333 Mm-hmm. 91 00:08:18,908.33333333 --> 00:08:19,598.33333333 And there was. 92 00:08:19,618.33333333 --> 00:08:32,908.33333333 Some weird power surge here at my house and it was degrading my bandwidth, my audio, my video, and I had to log out of the meeting and log back in. 93 00:08:33,298.33333333 --> 00:08:39,358.33333333 And thank God I am a seasoned presenter and I didn't let it ruffle my feather. 94 00:08:39,683.33333333 --> 00:08:40,403.33333333 Too much. 95 00:08:40,403.33333333 --> 00:08:51,623.33333333 I knew exactly what to do because we had practiced for emergencies and that's why our go live emergency preparedness checklist is extremely important. 96 00:08:51,773.33333333 --> 00:08:53,993.33333333 So check that out if you don't have one yet. 97 00:08:54,803.33333333 --> 00:09:04,313.33333333 I have lots of of examples of coaching clients that have lost money because their video froze during a live pitch. 98 00:09:04,833.33333333 --> 00:09:07,773.33333333 This is absolutely unacceptable. 99 00:09:07,773.33333333 --> 00:09:17,403.33333333 If you are going to be pitching in the virtual world, you are probably not going to be given the chance to make a second impression. 100 00:09:17,673.33333333 --> 00:09:25,403.33333333 You know the old adage, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression if you don't have a backup plan. 101 00:09:25,853.33333333 --> 00:09:28,853.33333333 You are almost certain to fail. 102 00:09:28,853.33333333 --> 00:09:40,373.33333333 And what could that equate to all the way back to our first episode where you could be losing a hundred thousand dollars or more? It could be in the realm of. 103 00:09:40,448.33333333 --> 00:09:42,128.33333333 Millions of dollars. 104 00:09:42,368.33333333 --> 00:09:46,208.33333333 So as you're setting up your platform, it isn't just your laptop. 105 00:09:46,238.33333333 --> 00:09:54,878.33333333 If you think about this entire 2D world, invest in it and consider it your confidence platform. 106 00:09:54,998.33333333 --> 00:09:58,868.33333333 It's a lot different being confident in the 3D world. 107 00:09:58,868.33333333 --> 00:10:02,73.33333333 Would you agree, Kathy? Absolutely. 108 00:10:02,403.33333333 --> 00:10:03,573.33333333 And it's not going away. 109 00:10:03,573.33333333 --> 00:10:10,153.33333333 I know there's a lot of employers that are requesting their employees to come back to the office, but it's hybrid. 110 00:10:10,213.33333333 --> 00:10:14,198.33333333 There will always be hybrid workers and hybrid sales people. 111 00:10:15,553.33333333 --> 00:10:18,73.33333333 Uh, so this information will always be important. 112 00:10:18,73.33333333 --> 00:10:18,878.33333333 It's not gonna go away. 113 00:10:19,533.33333333 --> 00:10:19,893.33333333 Right. 114 00:10:19,923.33333333 --> 00:10:20,853.33333333 Right, exactly. 115 00:10:21,153.33333333 --> 00:10:25,233.33333333 Well, this brings us to number two, which is lighting that loves you. 116 00:10:25,473.33333333 --> 00:10:29,163.33333333 Start to think about the lighting as your friend. 117 00:10:29,163.33333333 --> 00:10:30,603.33333333 Lighting should love you. 118 00:10:30,603.33333333 --> 00:10:39,423.33333333 It should not make you look like you are in a creepy horror movie because lighting can make or break your virtual presentation. 119 00:10:39,423.33333333 --> 00:10:41,163.33333333 And this is brain science. 120 00:10:41,213.33333333 --> 00:10:43,733.33333333 Folks, this is not just Kimberly's conjecture. 121 00:10:44,153.33333333 --> 00:10:47,3.33333333 Poor lighting communicates fatigue. 122 00:10:47,273.33333333 --> 00:10:55,73.33333333 It could communicate low energy, even mistrust or distrust in certain situations. 123 00:10:55,583.33333333 --> 00:11:04,258.33333333 And there are lots of studies that show our brains associate bright, evenly lit faces with approachability and confidence, which we talk about. 124 00:11:04,693.33333333 --> 00:11:18,253.33333333 All the time when your lighting is off or it's dark, it's slightly creepy if you have the light behind you, for example, people unconsciously disengage, and again, this is brain science. 125 00:11:18,633.33333333 --> 00:11:27,843.33333333 You aren't necessarily consciously thinking what is wrong with the person that's presenting on this screen, but you are constantly. 126 00:11:28,8.33333333 --> 00:11:43,818.33333333 Thin slicing over and over and over again, which is something that happens in your amygdala, and it's just fascinating to know that you could be completely turning off your audience and having them disengage with you and not even know it. 127 00:11:44,88.33333333 --> 00:11:48,348.33333333 So that's just another reason to book that group virtual office audit. 128 00:11:48,708.33333333 --> 00:11:49,693.33333333 Kathy, why don't you talk about. 129 00:11:50,28.33333333 --> 00:11:56,358.33333333 Some of the rules of thumb for lighting, and we have talked about this in previous episodes. 130 00:11:56,838.33333333 --> 00:11:57,168.33333333 Sure. 131 00:11:57,168.33333333 --> 00:12:00,858.33333333 Kimberly, the first one is natural light in front of you is the best. 132 00:12:01,763.33333333 --> 00:12:08,243.33333333 If you don't have that ring light or panel lights can supplement when the natural light isn't possible. 133 00:12:08,393.33333333 --> 00:12:08,813.33333333 Mm-hmm. 134 00:12:09,3.33333333 --> 00:12:14,93.33333333 But also to avoid overhead lighting or light from behind like you had mentioned earlier. 135 00:12:14,153.33333333 --> 00:12:14,243.33333333 Mm-hmm. 136 00:12:14,483.33333333 --> 00:12:17,573.33333333 Because it creates harsh shadows or silhouettes. 137 00:12:17,993.33333333 --> 00:12:25,763.33333333 One tip that I know that Kimberly has mentioned several times is when you log onto a Zoom meeting, test it out. 138 00:12:25,763.33333333 --> 00:12:25,853.33333333 Mm-hmm. 139 00:12:26,393.33333333 --> 00:12:31,613.33333333 Look at yourself, see how well lit you are, and if you're not very well lit, light yourself up. 140 00:12:31,613.33333333 --> 00:12:35,133.33333333 You'll notice the difference just by, testing it ahead of time. 141 00:12:35,188.33333333 --> 00:12:46,868.33333333 If you're traveling, pack a portable LED light panel, which is a small flat USB chargeable, and you can keep one in your laptop bag at all times if you want to. 142 00:12:46,868.33333333 --> 00:12:48,638.33333333 I know that Kimberly has one that she likes. 143 00:12:49,278.33333333 --> 00:12:49,698.33333333 Mm-hmm. 144 00:12:49,778.33333333 --> 00:12:50,98.33333333 Mm-hmm. 145 00:12:50,303.33333333 --> 00:12:54,328.33333333 I do the, I have two of the Radiance ring lights. 146 00:12:54,328.33333333 --> 00:12:58,768.33333333 Those are the teeny, teeny tiny little ones that are very, very packable easily. 147 00:12:58,768.33333333 --> 00:13:01,918.33333333 If you have a very small space, I don't travel without it. 148 00:13:01,918.33333333 --> 00:13:08,423.33333333 I have two because they are good for about 90 minutes is what my testing has showed so far. 149 00:13:08,518.33333333 --> 00:13:13,618.33333333 I can get about 90 minutes, but they do have three different light settings, which is great for a tiny ring light. 150 00:13:13,978.33333333 --> 00:13:16,198.33333333 Those are by Radiance, and I think the. 151 00:13:16,343.33333333 --> 00:13:23,453.33333333 Company is Gear Light and we also have that particular ring light in our Amazon affiliate cart. 152 00:13:23,453.33333333 --> 00:13:26,183.33333333 So the Amazon affiliate cart is actually live. 153 00:13:26,423.33333333 --> 00:13:31,703.33333333 We'll put that link in the show notes for a lot of the products that we love and we really do use. 154 00:13:31,703.33333333 --> 00:13:38,3.33333333 And we will not put products in that cart unless we have personally tested them and we have an opinion about them. 155 00:13:38,303.33333333 --> 00:13:40,283.33333333 Yes, so there are a couple of other. 156 00:13:40,283.33333333 --> 00:13:48,18.33333333 Ring lights that we will be testing in the future, and we can talk a little bit more about those portable ones in another show. 157 00:13:48,678.33333333 --> 00:13:57,228.33333333 So just remember that when your lighting works correctly, not only does your face shine, but so does your message. 158 00:13:57,288.33333333 --> 00:13:59,43.33333333 Kathy said this in a previous show. 159 00:13:59,43.33333333 --> 00:14:04,743.33333333 You know, you can just check yourself out, log onto that meeting, check yourself out, see how you're doing. 160 00:14:04,923.33333333 --> 00:14:08,253.33333333 What you see on your camera is what your audience. 161 00:14:08,818.33333333 --> 00:14:23,488.33333333 It blows me away that most people, until they go through this type of training, like the group virtual office audit, they give no mind to any of these details and how they are being perceived in this 2D world. 162 00:14:23,698.33333333 --> 00:14:35,228.33333333 I think you're right, Kimberly, except I would add one more detail and that is, by checking yourself out first and you might be a little bit dark, but you don't realize it and you don't know how to fix it. 163 00:14:35,558.33333333 --> 00:14:36,548.33333333 That's the other issue. 164 00:14:37,273.33333333 --> 00:14:38,173.33333333 Yes, that is true. 165 00:14:38,173.33333333 --> 00:14:38,473.33333333 Yes. 166 00:14:38,473.33333333 --> 00:14:39,613.33333333 Thank you for pointing that out. 167 00:14:40,243.33333333 --> 00:14:44,683.33333333 Number three would be, and these are number three of the five must haves. 168 00:14:44,683.33333333 --> 00:14:47,443.33333333 Number three would be professional audio. 169 00:14:47,863.33333333 --> 00:14:50,743.33333333 I am using a dynamic microphone today. 170 00:14:50,743.33333333 --> 00:14:54,88.33333333 Kathy is using a condenser microphone, and let me just. 171 00:14:54,373.33333333 --> 00:15:00,253.33333333 Remind you bad visuals are forgiven before bad audio. 172 00:15:00,253.33333333 --> 00:15:15,793.33333333 It is so important to get that audio correct if you don't have the budget for an upgraded microphone, you could even just use your earbuds that have the microphone in the eared or on your little device. 173 00:15:16,333.33333333 --> 00:15:17,323.33333333 Just test it. 174 00:15:17,323.33333333 --> 00:15:21,403.33333333 Please, whatever you do, whatever you decide, test it first. 175 00:15:21,883.33333333 --> 00:15:22,453.33333333 Any. 176 00:15:22,728.33333333 --> 00:15:32,988.33333333 Upgraded audio is better than no upgraded audio, and we do tests all the time, live in hands-on lab, in meetings, in podcasts. 177 00:15:32,988.33333333 --> 00:15:38,613.33333333 We're always trying to test this so that we can give you an idea of how I. 178 00:15:39,193.33333333 --> 00:15:57,13.33333333 Your message is being diminished if your professional audio is not given consideration because it is the single most overlooked part of the virtual experience, but it's the one piece that can really make you shine. 179 00:15:58,283.33333333 --> 00:15:58,643.33333333 Kimberly. 180 00:15:58,643.33333333 --> 00:16:09,683.33333333 Remember, not too long ago we asked some of our listeners what their pet peeve was, and the number one pet peeve that came back was audio, not having a separate audio. 181 00:16:10,133.33333333 --> 00:16:10,583.33333333 Oh, you're right. 182 00:16:10,583.33333333 --> 00:16:11,333.33333333 Or separate microphone. 183 00:16:11,333.33333333 --> 00:16:13,313.33333333 I mean, you know what? Let's do another poll. 184 00:16:13,313.33333333 --> 00:16:17,903.33333333 We should do another poll on social media just to see if that is still what is trending. 185 00:16:17,933.33333333 --> 00:16:19,673.33333333 I think that would be super, super interesting. 186 00:16:19,673.33333333 --> 00:16:23,303.33333333 So if you're listening, please follow us on social media. 187 00:16:23,303.33333333 --> 00:16:24,338.33333333 You can find us at. 188 00:16:24,813.33333333 --> 00:16:28,533.33333333 Virtual presentation skills, virtual engage. 189 00:16:28,533.33333333 --> 00:16:33,483.33333333 Those are our two handles on Instagram, Facebook, we're on everything. 190 00:16:33,483.33333333 --> 00:16:35,403.33333333 Webinar, LinkedIn, we're everything. 191 00:16:35,403.33333333 --> 00:16:37,353.33333333 Webinar you can find Kathy. 192 00:16:37,563.33333333 --> 00:16:38,13.33333333 Gina. 193 00:16:38,133.33333333 --> 00:16:39,873.33333333 You can find Kimberly Gilbert. 194 00:16:39,963.33333333 --> 00:16:48,108.3333333 That's Kimberly with an I By the way, let's talk a little bit about the microphones that are travel friendly since we're talking about our. 195 00:16:48,583.3333333 --> 00:16:52,243.3333333 Pillar, which is rotation number three, work from anywhere. 196 00:16:52,693.3333333 --> 00:17:00,163.3333333 I've heard a lot of really good information about the road, R-O-D-E-N-T-U-S-B mini. 197 00:17:00,163.3333333 --> 00:17:05,173.3333333 Now I have not tested that one yet myself, but the reviews that I've seen online. 198 00:17:05,558.3333333 --> 00:17:10,118.3333333 Are really favorable and I know a lot of people like the Sure. 199 00:17:10,148.3333333 --> 00:17:11,198.3333333 MV five. 200 00:17:11,198.3333333 --> 00:17:23,828.3333333 I am right now using a sure MV seven, and I do travel with this microphone if I feel like my ambient noise in the situation I'm traveling to might be compromised. 201 00:17:24,128.3333333 --> 00:17:32,768.3333333 It's a bit big and it's better if it's on a boom, but I can hold it and I can get it really close to my mouth the way that it's supposed to. 202 00:17:33,413.3333333 --> 00:17:35,153.3333333 So that is an MV five. 203 00:17:35,603.3333333 --> 00:17:40,223.3333333 I also have a Samson Meteor mic and a Samson satellite mic. 204 00:17:40,223.3333333 --> 00:17:42,173.3333333 And those are both easy to travel with. 205 00:17:42,173.3333333 --> 00:17:47,723.3333333 I know Kathy well, Kathy, I think you're using the Samson satellite mic, right? Yes, yes I am. 206 00:17:48,413.3333333 --> 00:17:48,683.3333333 Okay. 207 00:17:48,683.3333333 --> 00:17:53,738.3333333 And how do you feel about that one as far as travel ability? Oh, I think it's fantastic. 208 00:17:54,38.3333333 --> 00:18:02,258.3333333 It looks like a little spaceship, and then you put the legs up and you wrap the cord around it, and I have a nice little bag that I put it in and it just pops right into my case. 209 00:18:02,468.3333333 --> 00:18:07,848.3333333 It's, it's really, really handy and it works really well in terms of my audio. 210 00:18:08,253.3333333 --> 00:18:08,673.3333333 Mm-hmm. 211 00:18:08,753.3333333 --> 00:18:08,993.3333333 Mm-hmm. 212 00:18:09,108.3333333 --> 00:18:09,558.3333333 I know it. 213 00:18:09,588.3333333 --> 00:18:10,548.3333333 I think it sounds great. 214 00:18:10,738.3333333 --> 00:18:21,148.3333333 I am really partial to the travel cases, like you said, for the shore microphone that I'm using, these are in the $300 range, so they aren't inexpensive. 215 00:18:21,268.3333333 --> 00:18:21,358.3333333 Mm-hmm. 216 00:18:21,598.3333333 --> 00:18:28,288.3333333 So when I travel, I make sure that it's packed with foam and I have a hard case travel case for it to protect it. 217 00:18:28,658.3333333 --> 00:18:31,238.3333333 I know some of the others come with travel cases. 218 00:18:31,268.3333333 --> 00:18:39,188.3333333 We also have a Blue Yeti that we use in the studio, but that one's really big and heavy, so I prefer not to travel with that one. 219 00:18:39,188.3333333 --> 00:18:43,658.3333333 I think my favorite one to travel with for a condenser microphone would be the Samson. 220 00:18:44,138.3333333 --> 00:18:44,228.3333333 Mm-hmm. 221 00:18:44,468.3333333 --> 00:18:46,58.3333333 The satellite, the one that you are using. 222 00:18:46,468.3333333 --> 00:18:49,198.3333333 Don't forget your earbuds headphones. 223 00:18:49,258.3333333 --> 00:18:55,408.3333333 We won't go into that right now, but I strongly suggest you consider using headphones. 224 00:18:55,408.3333333 --> 00:19:00,928.3333333 I'm not wearing mine today because I'm not really looking for that rich binaural experience. 225 00:19:00,928.3333333 --> 00:19:08,488.3333333 But when I am, when I'm in meetings, or if I'm your voice coach, I need to hear all of those rich, beautiful tones of your voice. 226 00:19:08,493.3333333 --> 00:19:15,93.3333333 And listen for inflection, prosody, all of the things we teach to our voice. 227 00:19:15,93.3333333 --> 00:19:19,548.3333333 Students, your headphones, could potentially not just eliminate.
(19:19):
Hearing others and giving you a richer experience with the audio, but also the echo from your microphone feed.
I dunno if you've ever heard that echo before and you're struggling to figure out what in the world is going on.
It can be very frustrating.
I think maybe we'll go into that in more detail, Kathy, in another episode when we have a little bit of time.
Okay.
If you take a moment to consider the mindset shift, sound equals presence.
(19:46):
People hear authority in clear, warm audio.
And if you're, if you sound like you're calling from, I don't know, the bottom of a fish tank or in the middle of a tunnel in the middle of nowhere, no one's brain is sticking around for your brilliance.
And then what are we all doing? Wasting each other's time.
(20:06):
I'm really just so adamant to help people understand not only the theory, but the practical nature of what we teach. 238 00:20:18,701.6666667 --> 00:20:24,341.6666667 Let's move on to number four out of five, your framing and background. 239 00:20:24,906.6666667 --> 00:20:32,616.6666667 Remember, this is where your visual story in your virtual office comes alive. 240 00:20:33,66.6666667 --> 00:20:47,256.6666667 You can command that room before you even speak, and that was episode number 57 during leadership week, commanding the room and talking about virtual presence. 241 00:20:47,556.6666667 --> 00:20:53,976.6666667 Your framing, which is basically how you appear to the world, can communicate. 242 00:20:54,231.6666667 --> 00:21:08,271.6666667 Many, many things, and it's not just what you say, it's your camera angle, the way that your eyes are looking directly into the camera, making sure that your frame is proper. 243 00:21:09,326.6666667 --> 00:21:12,56.6666667 For example, having your shoulders visible. 244 00:21:12,446.6666667 --> 00:21:20,916.6666667 Kathy and I did a test a couple of episodes ago where we tested the feel and how we feel with visual presence. 245 00:21:20,916.6666667 --> 00:21:26,796.6666667 When you're closer to the camera like we are now, it really creates more of an intimate. 246 00:21:26,916.6666667 --> 00:21:29,406.6666667 Setting, almost like we are face-to-face. 247 00:21:29,406.6666667 --> 00:21:37,246.6666667 Obviously, we love and we cheer for face-to-face meetings all the time, but when we don't have that option, this is a little bit more intimate. 248 00:21:37,246.6666667 --> 00:21:45,106.6666667 And then if you take just about three steps back, if you have that much space, you are more in an authority position. 249 00:21:45,166.6666667 --> 00:21:53,416.6666667 And I challenge you to test this for yourself and see yourself on camera and what the different positions. 250 00:21:53,471.6666667 --> 00:22:02,171.6666667 Do for you, and depending upon your particular avatar or your audience, what do they need from you? Mm-hmm. 251 00:22:02,631.6666667 --> 00:22:10,241.6666667 Kathy, how do you feel about real versus virtual backgrounds? In my opinion, I like real backgrounds. 252 00:22:11,141.6666667 --> 00:22:16,871.6666667 The virtual blurring of your background tends to make people look alien. 253 00:22:16,871.6666667 --> 00:22:17,711.6666667 Like sometimes. 254 00:22:17,711.6666667 --> 00:22:18,701.6666667 I know it's gotten better. 255 00:22:18,881.6666667 --> 00:22:22,221.6666667 It has gotten better, but I would prefer a real background Right. 256 00:22:22,411.6666667 --> 00:22:23,341.6666667 I agree with you. 257 00:22:23,341.6666667 --> 00:22:28,651.6666667 I think the background can really add to your credibility, but it can also distract from it. 258 00:22:28,831.6666667 --> 00:22:39,451.6666667 I always tell people, if you have the opportunity to have just a plain background versus something that is messy and you have not given any thought to. 259 00:22:39,886.6666667 --> 00:22:42,496.6666667 Just go find a blank wall. 260 00:22:42,496.6666667 --> 00:22:44,626.6666667 It does not have to be anything fancy. 261 00:22:44,626.6666667 --> 00:22:46,516.6666667 You don't have to spend a lot of money. 262 00:22:47,56.6666667 --> 00:22:52,816.6666667 Kathy was actually in a meeting with us while she was traveling and she was, well, I'll let you tell them. 263 00:22:54,196.6666667 --> 00:23:01,411.6666667 We were staying in a cabin in the mountains and there was no area sitting or standing that I could be, that was not. 264 00:23:02,196.6666667 --> 00:23:05,686.6666667 Full of windows or all kinds of other things. 265 00:23:05,686.6666667 --> 00:23:15,826.6666667 So I sat on the floor, my back against the wall put my laptop on the bed, added my ring light to the little shelf unit to the left of me. 266 00:23:15,826.6666667 --> 00:23:17,266.6666667 'cause it was kind of dark in there. 267 00:23:17,566.6666667 --> 00:23:17,656.6666667 Mm-hmm. 268 00:23:17,656.6666667 --> 00:23:20,56.6666667 And then I had my microphone right in front of. 269 00:23:20,791.6666667 --> 00:23:22,591.6666667 And so that was it. 270 00:23:23,101.6666667 --> 00:23:25,51.6666667 And you honestly, you could not tell. 271 00:23:25,51.6666667 --> 00:23:38,431.6666667 I did not know that Kathy was sitting on the floor and I said, you have got to have somebody take a picture of this because this is what we do to be sure that we are meeting the needs of our audience, which is the whole entire goal. 272 00:23:38,431.6666667 --> 00:23:38,521.6666667 Mm-hmm. 273 00:23:38,821.6666667 --> 00:23:42,876.6666667 It's your job to nurture their learning journey and the way they are. 274 00:23:43,856.6666667 --> 00:23:45,746.6666667 You and perceiving you. 275 00:23:45,986.6666667 --> 00:23:57,476.6666667 It's worth it to put some time and some intention into your virtual meetings so you can, and remember, it's only from the waist up that you see me, so you don't know I'm sitting on the floor. 276 00:23:57,851.6666667 --> 00:23:58,171.6666667 I know. 277 00:23:58,586.6666667 --> 00:24:00,506.6666667 I thought it was very, very clever. 278 00:24:00,956.6666667 --> 00:24:05,291.6666667 If you think about your branding and your virtual meetings. 279 00:24:05,666.6666667 --> 00:24:13,716.6666667 Maybe this is just a second or an afterthought for you, but is it intentional and is it consistent that those are two things you could think about. 280 00:24:13,866.6666667 --> 00:24:19,416.6666667 Sometimes the virtual backgrounds are fantastic in certain settings. 281 00:24:19,416.6666667 --> 00:24:30,696.6666667 For example, I have teams and they all want everybody to feel like they're together and they are part of this background that is a, a beautiful office. 282 00:24:30,716.6666667 --> 00:24:34,706.6666667 With 10 shares around a table with a big brick wall. 283 00:24:34,886.6666667 --> 00:24:39,536.6666667 Everybody uses the same background so that it's very consistent. 284 00:24:39,536.6666667 --> 00:24:45,776.6666667 That's a really good example of a virtual background, and we coach a little bit different in those situations. 285 00:24:45,776.6666667 --> 00:24:48,596.6666667 That's more for a team, but just think about you. 286 00:24:48,596.6666667 --> 00:24:55,226.6666667 Who is brand you and is it intentional as well as consistent? Honestly, we were having those. 287 00:24:55,241.6666667 --> 00:25:02,381.6666667 Conversations before the show today, because we're so new to podcasting, we have 60 ish episodes. 288 00:25:02,381.6666667 --> 00:25:04,831.6666667 But I have to tell you that's just brand new. 289 00:25:05,191.6666667 --> 00:25:09,481.6666667 That's just like my grandbaby starting to walk. 290 00:25:09,751.6666667 --> 00:25:12,481.6666667 We're just barely scratching the surface. 291 00:25:12,481.6666667 --> 00:25:15,451.6666667 So those are things that we are working on as well. 292 00:25:15,511.6666667 --> 00:25:17,731.6666667 Intentionality and consistency. 293 00:25:18,461.6666667 --> 00:25:26,261.6666667 And number five is the reliable connectivity as well as the backup systems. 294 00:25:27,221.6666667 --> 00:25:39,191.6666667 Now, let me just tell you, I have been in these situations so many times, and like I said earlier, we had a technical glitch last week that I really had not expected. 295 00:25:39,191.6666667 --> 00:25:49,961.6666667 And could I have mitigated that situation better if I had my battery backup connected and ready to go? Probably as it was. 296 00:25:49,961.6666667 --> 00:25:53,81.6666667 I think it took three minutes to get back into the meeting. 297 00:25:53,291.6666667 --> 00:25:59,531.6666667 So, Kathy, were you sweating bullets at that point? I wasn't sweating bullets, but I was wondering a little bit. 298 00:25:59,711.6666667 --> 00:26:00,901.6666667 I think you created a hot. 299 00:26:01,186.6666667 --> 00:26:03,346.6666667 Spot a personal hotspot, didn't you? I did, yes. 300 00:26:03,346.6666667 --> 00:26:07,186.6666667 Yeah, I used my personal hotspot because I didn't even know what was going on. 301 00:26:07,186.6666667 --> 00:26:12,521.6666667 Usually I know if the ISP, if I see their trucks, on the road below the house. 302 00:26:13,266.6666667 --> 00:26:29,106.6666667 There's some indication if your ISP just goes flat, there really isn't a lot that you can do except for switching over to a personal hotspot, which we can teach you to do that in less than 30 seconds. 303 00:26:29,106.6666667 --> 00:26:30,96.6666667 It's so easy. 304 00:26:30,306.6666667 --> 00:26:32,436.6666667 Actually, we have a mini cast on that. 305 00:26:33,86.6666667 --> 00:26:34,346.6666667 I'll put that in the show notes. 306 00:26:34,616.6666667 --> 00:26:34,916.6666667 Okay. 307 00:26:34,946.6666667 --> 00:26:35,546.6666667 Okay, perfect. 308 00:26:35,546.6666667 --> 00:26:36,326.6666667 I think that's great. 309 00:26:36,666.6666667 --> 00:26:38,946.6666667 Maybe less than a minute if you haven't done it before. 310 00:26:38,946.6666667 --> 00:26:48,696.6666667 But doing it the second and third time, it's really about 30 seconds and you jump right back into that Zoom meeting or whatever platform you're using very, very quickly. 311 00:26:49,416.6666667 --> 00:26:50,886.6666667 And if you have a good. 312 00:26:50,961.6666667 --> 00:27:00,881.6666667 Co-host or a cos speaker like I did that day with Kathy, she was able to continue to talk to everybody and let them know that I was having a tech issue and no big deal. 313 00:27:00,941.6666667 --> 00:27:02,501.6666667 We were able to get through it. 314 00:27:02,741.6666667 --> 00:27:06,701.6666667 If this had been 20 years ago, I probably would've been crying, honestly. 315 00:27:06,701.6666667 --> 00:27:10,151.6666667 I would've just given up and just thought, I have no idea what to do. 316 00:27:10,541.6666667 --> 00:27:11,591.6666667 I don't know what I'm doing. 317 00:27:11,591.6666667 --> 00:27:19,601.6666667 How am I going to recover my breath? How do I recover my thoughts? That's why the emergency checklist is so important, because your connectivity. 318 00:27:19,996.6666667 --> 00:27:21,496.6666667 Is really your lifeline. 319 00:27:21,496.6666667 --> 00:27:21,586.6666667 Mm-hmm. 320 00:27:21,826.6666667 --> 00:27:25,306.6666667 If you think about it that way, that's how important it is. 321 00:27:25,516.6666667 --> 00:27:25,636.6666667 Mm-hmm. 322 00:27:26,416.6666667 --> 00:27:30,346.6666667 And there are a few non-negotiables in my opinion. 323 00:27:30,826.6666667 --> 00:27:34,876.6666667 It's important for you to know your upload speed. 324 00:27:34,906.6666667 --> 00:27:36,286.6666667 I know everybody's all. 325 00:27:36,796.6666667 --> 00:27:43,6.6666667 Crazy about download speeds and you can have a gig or two gigs or whatever the case may be. 326 00:27:43,366.6666667 --> 00:27:44,746.6666667 That doesn't mean a lot to us. 327 00:27:44,746.6666667 --> 00:28:00,136.6666667 When we're functioning in the virtual world, we really need to have at least 10 megabytes of upload for any type of HD video and we're pushing HD typically through our cameras, and that's a minimum folks, 10 megabytes for an upload speed. 328 00:28:00,416.6666667 --> 00:28:01,16.6666667 Okay. 329 00:28:01,166.6666667 --> 00:28:04,706.6666667 I would be really concerned if I only had 10 megabytes. 330 00:28:04,706.6666667 --> 00:28:10,646.6666667 I have a minimum of 30 myself, and I like it to be closer to a hundred if possible. 331 00:28:10,883.3333333 --> 00:28:12,113.3333333 Not always possible. 332 00:28:12,113.3333333 --> 00:28:20,503.3333333 There are some networks I hear that have the upload and the download speed the same, but I haven't tested them yet, so I can't speak to them, but give some mindfulness. 333 00:28:20,503.3333333 --> 00:28:26,443.3333333 To your upload speed, and like Kathy said, keep a mobile hotspot or a cellular backup. 334 00:28:26,443.3333333 --> 00:28:31,543.3333333 A lot of the companies have those little cubes now that can act as a cellular backup for you. 335 00:28:32,243.3333333 --> 00:28:35,903.3333333 And I travel with an ethernet adapter. 336 00:28:35,903.3333333 --> 00:28:46,373.3333333 I do my Moen, which is my adapter for my computer, for all of my accessories, has an ethernet adapter, and I do bring the ethernet cord with me. 337 00:28:46,613.3333333 --> 00:28:49,373.3333333 I would have to say this is my least favorite choice. 338 00:28:49,403.3333333 --> 00:28:53,603.3333333 It is the, probably the most consistent choice in wifi. 339 00:28:54,123.3333333 --> 00:29:05,613.3333333 Reliability because you're directly connected, but how often if you're a digital nomad and you're working from home isn't the whole point to be able to work from anywhere and look professional everywhere. 340 00:29:05,613.3333333 --> 00:29:05,703.3333333 Mm-hmm. 341 00:29:06,183.3333333 --> 00:29:19,893.3333333 You might not want to stay in your hotel room and connect with that ethernet cable, so it's a good idea to build your to-go bag with an ethernet adapter if it's possible. 342 00:29:20,13.3333333 --> 00:29:28,843.3333333 We offer a few bonus tips, close every background app before presenting your email, your browser tabs, even your cloud sync. 343 00:29:28,873.3333333 --> 00:29:30,493.3333333 They all steal bandwidth. 344 00:29:31,33.3333333 --> 00:29:31,123.3333333 Mm-hmm. 345 00:29:31,483.3333333 --> 00:29:35,143.3333333 And think of this, step as your digital hygiene. 346 00:29:35,503.3333333 --> 00:29:36,733.3333333 Clean connection. 347 00:29:36,913.3333333 --> 00:29:37,933.3333333 Clean delivery. 348 00:29:38,293.3333333 --> 00:29:39,403.3333333 Ooh, I love that. 349 00:29:39,553.3333333 --> 00:29:40,93.3333333 Yeah. 350 00:29:40,148.3333333 --> 00:29:40,923.3333333 Clean, clean. 351 00:29:40,923.3333333 --> 00:29:41,713.3333333 I'm always talking about. 352 00:29:42,723.3333333 --> 00:29:44,913.3333333 Dirty links and not using dirty links. 353 00:29:44,913.3333333 --> 00:29:45,3.3333333 Yes. 354 00:29:45,3.3333333 --> 00:29:45,663.3333333 For meetings. 355 00:29:45,663.3333333 --> 00:29:49,953.3333333 And so I love that digital hygiene, everything clean. 356 00:29:49,953.3333333 --> 00:29:52,953.3333333 And we ask for our attendees. 357 00:29:52,953.3333333 --> 00:30:00,63.3333333 Usually we ask in the beginning of any presentation to disconnect and in some of our. 358 00:30:00,453.3333333 --> 00:30:05,43.3333333 Pre-training briefs that we're starting to create. 359 00:30:05,43.3333333 --> 00:30:10,623.3333333 We will be asking for you to consider closing your email, closing those browser tabs. 360 00:30:10,623.3333333 --> 00:30:20,643.3333333 Just like Kathy said, closing down anything that could steal bandwidth and turn off your ringers and dingers your phones, your timers, because those steal attention. 361 00:30:21,93.3333333 --> 00:30:21,183.3333333 Mm-hmm. 362 00:30:21,428.3333333 --> 00:30:21,778.3333333 Mm-hmm. 363 00:30:21,863.3333333 --> 00:30:23,703.3333333 Now, how do we Thank you for that, Kathy. 364 00:30:23,703.3333333 --> 00:30:25,263.3333333 I love that term, digital hygiene. 365 00:30:25,953.3333333 --> 00:30:37,293.3333333 So how do we bring this all together, these five essentials we spoke about platform and hardware, lighting, audio framing, and connectivity. 366 00:30:37,533.3333333 --> 00:30:43,53.3333333 It's the time to start testing, refining and repeating. 367 00:30:43,923.3333333 --> 00:30:45,303.3333333 Shampoo, rinse, repeat. 368 00:30:45,303.3333333 --> 00:30:48,213.3333333 Wasn't that a commercial a few years ago? I dunno. 369 00:30:48,423.3333333 --> 00:30:50,403.3333333 It could be because that, that's the thing. 370 00:30:50,463.3333333 --> 00:30:52,203.3333333 That's the thing that that came to mind. 371 00:30:52,443.3333333 --> 00:30:55,983.3333333 And understanding your virtual office is never complete. 372 00:30:55,983.3333333 --> 00:30:57,843.3333333 We're talking about tech. 373 00:30:58,323.3333333 --> 00:31:00,483.3333333 Tech is always evolving. 374 00:31:00,723.3333333 --> 00:31:09,273.3333333 We started using AI tools just a couple months ago and they are wildly different than they were just a couple of months ago. 375 00:31:09,668.3333333 --> 00:31:19,88.3333333 That's why I like for us as a team to choose the last Friday of every month as our tech day, and we go through our technology. 376 00:31:19,148.3333333 --> 00:31:28,808.3333333 Now, we don't always do this, I'll tell you because some Fridays are just not available to focus on tech, but that would be my preference for me and my teams. 377 00:31:28,808.3333333 --> 00:31:35,668.3333333 I would recommend if you can't step away for one day out of the month to complete a tech check. 378 00:31:35,968.3333333 --> 00:31:42,473.3333333 How about just a quarterly audit? I think that's probably a little bit more doable for the masses. 379 00:31:42,473.3333333 --> 00:31:49,333.3333333 And have a checklist and go through that audit of your setup and practice. 380 00:31:49,333.3333333 --> 00:31:50,623.3333333 Practice practice. 381 00:31:50,893.3333333 --> 00:31:54,313.3333333 Record yourself presenting and playing it back. 382 00:31:54,613.3333333 --> 00:31:58,723.3333333 Check yourself out for lighting, audio, and your engagement. 383 00:31:59,163.3333333 --> 00:32:00,513.3333333 I love this technique. 384 00:32:00,843.3333333 --> 00:32:07,798.3333333 Record yourself for just two minutes speaking gesturing, don't be mindful of your gestures at this point. 385 00:32:09,103.3333333 --> 00:32:13,723.3333333 So be mindful of all of those elements, your lighting, your audio, your engagement. 386 00:32:13,723.3333333 --> 00:32:20,173.3333333 Record yourself for just two minutes, and then watch yourself back on mute. 387 00:32:20,938.3333333 --> 00:32:28,888.3333333 This really helps you to understand your natural gestures and how you look at the camera when you're inclined to look away. 388 00:32:29,68.3333333 --> 00:32:36,298.3333333 What could potentially disengage you when you are auditing yourself, could potentially disengage your audience. 389 00:32:36,358.3333333 --> 00:32:37,528.3333333 And this is free. 390 00:32:37,528.3333333 --> 00:32:38,158.3333333 I'm giving this. 391 00:32:38,233.3333333 --> 00:32:38,893.3333333 To you free. 392 00:32:38,893.3333333 --> 00:32:43,723.3333333 This is a training technique I've used for years, so take advantage of it. 393 00:32:44,203.3333333 --> 00:32:57,373.3333333 Also, consider having your to-go bag ready with your microphone, your light, your cables, your adapter, and all of your notes, maybe even that go live emergency preparedness checklist that we've talked about. 394 00:32:58,18.3333333 --> 00:33:03,748.3333333 When you are prepared, you are absolutely unstoppable. 395 00:33:04,198.3333333 --> 00:33:08,338.3333333 Your preparedness gives you confidence, it gives you power. 396 00:33:08,668.3333333 --> 00:33:21,958.3333333 So I'd like for you to consider that before we close, because your laptop lifestyle is really about not just the freedom, but the confidence through consistency. 397 00:33:22,318.3333333 --> 00:33:27,538.3333333 If you are listening and thinking, boy, I really need this level of polish in my setup. 398 00:33:28,63.3333333 --> 00:33:28,813.3333333 You're in luck. 399 00:33:29,323.3333333 --> 00:33:31,903.3333333 Join us for the group Virtual Office audit. 400 00:33:31,933.3333333 --> 00:33:37,483.3333333 It's the only audit where you won't owe any money and you will smile during the audit. 401 00:33:37,713.3333333 --> 00:33:40,203.3333333 It's 30 minutes, seven steps. 402 00:33:40,383.3333333 --> 00:33:46,123.3333333 You would be amazed at the simple but important tips that are offered during this audit. 403 00:33:47,518.3333333 --> 00:33:57,998.3333333 Yes, and the confidence that will help you potentially grow into the leader you want to become or hone and polish the leadership skills you already have. 404 00:33:58,298.3333333 --> 00:34:06,728.3333333 I am absolutely amazed at how many professional presenters hire us or are in meetings with us. 405 00:34:08,288.3333333 --> 00:34:11,468.3333333 They tell me afterward after the group virtual office audit. 406 00:34:12,158.3333333 --> 00:34:25,108.3333333 Kimberly, I didn't wanna say anything during the audit, but I have a lot of work to do and I'm thinking, I can identify the in during any of those seven steps exactly where you are failing. 407 00:34:25,108.3333333 --> 00:34:26,548.3333333 It's very easy for me. 408 00:34:26,788.3333333 --> 00:34:33,898.3333333 This virtual office audit was created about five years ago, and we have audited thousands of people around the globe. 409 00:34:34,783.3333333 --> 00:34:40,483.3333333 We can really help and we can help you gain the confidence you need to move forward. 410 00:34:40,813.3333333 --> 00:34:45,793.3333333 So if you have a moment, join us@virtualofficeaudit.com. 411 00:34:46,3.3333333 --> 00:34:48,133.3333333 You can tap the link in the show notes. 412 00:34:48,163.3333333 --> 00:34:48,253.3333333 Mm-hmm. 413 00:34:48,493.3333333 --> 00:34:54,343.3333333 And if you've enjoyed today's episode, please do us a favor and take a moment to download. 414 00:34:54,768.3333333 --> 00:34:57,318.3333333 Save rate review. 415 00:34:57,558.3333333 --> 00:35:02,238.3333333 Interact with us on platforms like Podbean and Apple. 416 00:35:02,568.3333333 --> 00:35:07,288.3333333 Your feedback really helps us to understand how to better meet your needs. 417 00:35:07,368.3333333 --> 00:35:12,978.3333333 We look forward to sharing time with you in the next episode where we go live from the waist up.
Hey, fellow humans.
Welcome back to the Virtual Presentation Skills podcast.
This is the show where we mix professional wisdom, a dash of humor, and a lot of really cool brain science.
I'm Kimberly, one of your co-hosts.
And I'm Kathy, the other co-host, we are so excited for the pillar that we're focusing on this week, which is Work from Anywhere.
(00:25):
Today's episode is Laptop Lifestyle.
The five virtual office must haves.
If you are a digital nomad or you are a remote worker or even a hybrid worker, work from home.
You can work from anywhere and look professional everywhere, we are going to share with you exactly how you can do that.
(00:50):
Our goal is to help you look and sound and present like a pro in every virtual space, no matter where you are.
Sometimes we work from home.
Sometimes it's in a hotel.
Maybe if you're really brave, it's in a hammock.
I'm not that brave.
No, no, no, no, no.
(01:10):
I have never worked from a hammock, but I have sat on the beach and attended a meeting, and I can tell you I felt really.
Powerful and really confident that I could make that lifestyle work.
Now, do I do that all the time? Absolutely not.
But if I'm traveling, just even with you and I, if we have a meeting that we feel like we cannot miss, I wanna be able to set up my virtual office no matter where I am, and I don't wanna worry about battling.
(01:41):
Lighting or weak wifi or those very awkward camera angles.
Hashtag end the nose madness.
The laptop lifestyle isn't always as effortless as it looks on Instagram.
There is some work that goes on behind the scenes.
So today we are going to break it all down and walk you through those five virtual office must-haves, which are the essentials to make your setup.
(02:09):
Portable professional and presentation ready no matter where you are. 26 00:02:14,853.33333333 --> 00:02:24,3.33333333 So grab your notebook, open your favorite note taking app, and let's get to the strategy behind creating your portable professional workspace. 27 00:02:25,563.33333333 --> 00:02:44,403.33333333 Kathy, have you seen social media posts where there's an influencer perhaps sitting at a cafe somewhere in Bali with their laptop open? Maybe a latte in hand, just smiling effortlessly at the camera? Well, not in Bali, no. 28 00:02:44,613.33333333 --> 00:03:12,53.33333333 But I have seen people with, their headphones on in coffee shops, what you don't see in the background is the glare on the screen, the noisy espresso machine in the background, the weak wifi signal that keeps dropping the Zoom or the WebEx or the MS teams keeps dropping those calls and those connections you were sharing with me earlier. 29 00:03:12,643.33333333 --> 00:03:24,133.33333333 You don't know who in the world would present or give a training or join a meeting if they were in an airport or at a cafe. 30 00:03:24,613.33333333 --> 00:03:26,143.33333333 So that was your question earlier. 31 00:03:26,143.33333333 --> 00:03:27,823.33333333 Right, exactly. 32 00:03:27,823.33333333 --> 00:03:29,263.33333333 I would be so uncomfortable. 33 00:03:29,263.33333333 --> 00:03:29,353.33333333 Mm-hmm. 34 00:03:29,893.33333333 --> 00:03:32,263.33333333 Doing a presentation in. 35 00:03:32,648.33333333 --> 00:03:37,438.33333333 The coffee shop or airport or somewhere other than a quiet space Mm-hmm. 36 00:03:37,678.33333333 --> 00:03:38,518.33333333 Mm-hmm. 37 00:03:38,548.33333333 --> 00:03:41,28.33333333 Well, that's what we'd like to do today is. 38 00:03:42,18.33333333 --> 00:04:06,583.33333333 Share with you all of the ways that you can increase your ability to communicate clearly, show up in a professional manner, as well as maintain credibility so it isn't as easy and as seamless and as polished as it looks when you're seeing some of those recordings that are in these very, very interesting places. 39 00:04:06,613.33333333 --> 00:04:10,63.33333333 It does take time to set up one of the best ways. 40 00:04:10,73.33333333 --> 00:04:18,533.33333333 That you can learn the foundation for working from anywhere is the group Virtual office audit, virtual office audit.com. 41 00:04:18,593.33333333 --> 00:04:28,583.33333333 This will help you master the foundational techniques you need to lead you on the journey toward success. 42 00:04:28,883.33333333 --> 00:04:34,373.33333333 Now, let's go ahead and dive into those five must-haves like we promise. 43 00:04:34,378.33333333 --> 00:04:39,353.33333333 Kathy, I think you should share the first one because this is near and dear to your heart. 44 00:04:39,413.33333333 --> 00:04:39,653.33333333 Oh. 45 00:04:40,78.33333333 --> 00:04:41,338.33333333 Of course you do, Kimberly. 46 00:04:41,818.33333333 --> 00:04:45,448.33333333 So the first one is talking about your hardware. 47 00:04:46,168.33333333 --> 00:04:55,198.33333333 If your laptop is more than five years old, chances are you're fighting sluggish processing, low resolution video and limited port options. 48 00:04:55,288.33333333 --> 00:04:55,408.33333333 Mm-hmm. 49 00:04:55,648.33333333 --> 00:04:57,28.33333333 And I can attest to that. 50 00:04:57,268.33333333 --> 00:05:04,288.33333333 My computer is actually doing that and unfortunately it is over five years old, so I have to work on updating that now. 51 00:05:04,338.33333333 --> 00:05:09,288.33333333 We all need to look for consistency with performance. 52 00:05:09,588.33333333 --> 00:05:25,38.33333333 What we'd like to recommend are some tech details such as a minimum of 16 gigs of ram, a dedicated webcam, preferably not the one that's built in, but some of the newer ones that are built in are pretty good. 53 00:05:25,548.33333333 --> 00:05:42,288.33333333 You definitely need a solid state drive to maintain the consistency in the speed I have the Moen, which is one of the adapters, and I can plug, I believe, nine different devices into it, and I really like it. 54 00:05:42,618.33333333 --> 00:05:45,48.33333333 Now, when I first purchased this MacBook Pro. 55 00:05:45,558.33333333 --> 00:05:54,198.33333333 I did not appreciate the fact that I was not told I would need an adapter for the port for different accessories. 56 00:05:54,198.33333333 --> 00:05:59,238.33333333 While I found out very quickly I needed to spend an extra, I think it was a hundred dollars. 57 00:05:59,273.33333333 --> 00:06:01,463.33333333 Somewhere right around there for that Moen. 58 00:06:02,243.33333333 --> 00:06:10,233.33333333 But once I made the purchase and I sucked it up, I became accustomed to carrying the adapter with me no matter where I go. 59 00:06:10,503.33333333 --> 00:06:11,763.33333333 And it works great. 60 00:06:11,763.33333333 --> 00:06:14,763.33333333 There's no degradation of speed or anything. 61 00:06:15,393.33333333 --> 00:06:18,33.33333333 So Moen, we really do enjoy your product. 62 00:06:18,513.33333333 --> 00:06:22,233.33333333 Of course, you are probably going to want to consider sponsoring this podcast. 63 00:06:23,253.33333333 --> 00:06:23,673.33333333 Of course. 64 00:06:23,943.33333333 --> 00:06:28,413.33333333 I know we're new, but we're growing and we love your product. 65 00:06:29,283.33333333 --> 00:06:32,643.33333333 Let's move on to the presentation platform. 66 00:06:32,643.33333333 --> 00:06:36,63.33333333 This is still under step number one. 67 00:06:36,363.33333333 --> 00:06:41,493.33333333 We all use services like Zoom, MS. 68 00:06:41,493.33333333 --> 00:06:43,833.33333333 Teams, Google Meet WebEx. 69 00:06:43,863.33333333 --> 00:06:46,113.33333333 Scoot is one of the newest ones. 70 00:06:46,163.33333333 --> 00:06:49,463.33333333 The key isn't which platform you're using. 71 00:06:49,943.33333333 --> 00:06:51,623.33333333 We are platform agnostic. 72 00:06:51,623.33333333 --> 00:06:57,803.33333333 We have training programs that meet the needs of every single platform. 73 00:06:58,463.33333333 --> 00:07:01,373.33333333 It's how well you use the platform. 74 00:07:01,493.33333333 --> 00:07:14,903.33333333 For example, Kathy, how long do you think it took you to become comfortable with being in presenter mode and sharing your screen confidently? How long did that take? Oh gosh. 75 00:07:14,953.33333333 --> 00:07:19,433.33333333 It took me a little while to do it's just a lot of practice. 76 00:07:19,463.33333333 --> 00:07:25,943.33333333 When I first went through the group virtual office audit, I implemented those tips, and right away there was a huge difference. 77 00:07:26,303.33333333 --> 00:07:26,333.33333333 Mm. 78 00:07:26,333.33333333 --> 00:07:30,343.33333333 But I'm still tweaking how I do my presentations online. 79 00:07:30,388.33333333 --> 00:07:31,318.33333333 Mm-hmm. 80 00:07:31,348.33333333 --> 00:07:31,768.33333333 Right. 81 00:07:31,888.33333333 --> 00:07:37,468.33333333 Well, I think most people are still, they're clicking a button and hoping for the best, right? Yeah. 82 00:07:38,248.33333333 --> 00:07:48,833.33333333 There aren't very many of us that are comfortable with breakout rooms, for example, we do a lot of work with virtual backgrounds and helping you get your virtual background up to date. 83 00:07:49,928.33333333 --> 00:07:54,788.33333333 Really how to screen share on all of the different platforms without fumbling. 84 00:07:54,788.33333333 --> 00:07:58,868.33333333 That's really, really important, especially if you are expected to screen share. 85 00:07:58,868.33333333 --> 00:07:58,958.33333333 Mm-hmm. 86 00:07:59,318.33333333 --> 00:08:05,348.33333333 And then what do you do for a backup when your tech fails? It's not if your tech is going to fail. 87 00:08:05,558.33333333 --> 00:08:12,98.33333333 Trust me, I've been working in this industry over 20 years, and my tech will fail when I least expected. 88 00:08:12,308.33333333 --> 00:08:18,428.33333333 For example, Kathy and I were meeting with a potential new client just a week ago. 89 00:08:18,428.33333333 --> 00:08:18,438.33333333 Mm. 90 00:08:18,438.33333333 --> 00:08:18,518.33333333 Mm-hmm. 91 00:08:18,908.33333333 --> 00:08:19,598.33333333 And there was. 92 00:08:19,618.33333333 --> 00:08:32,908.33333333 Some weird power surge here at my house and it was degrading my bandwidth, my audio, my video, and I had to log out of the meeting and log back in. 93 00:08:33,298.33333333 --> 00:08:39,358.33333333 And thank God I am a seasoned presenter and I didn't let it ruffle my feather. 94 00:08:39,683.33333333 --> 00:08:40,403.33333333 Too much. 95 00:08:40,403.33333333 --> 00:08:51,623.33333333 I knew exactly what to do because we had practiced for emergencies and that's why our go live emergency preparedness checklist is extremely important. 96 00:08:51,773.33333333 --> 00:08:53,993.33333333 So check that out if you don't have one yet. 97 00:08:54,803.33333333 --> 00:09:04,313.33333333 I have lots of of examples of coaching clients that have lost money because their video froze during a live pitch. 98 00:09:04,833.33333333 --> 00:09:07,773.33333333 This is absolutely unacceptable. 99 00:09:07,773.33333333 --> 00:09:17,403.33333333 If you are going to be pitching in the virtual world, you are probably not going to be given the chance to make a second impression. 100 00:09:17,673.33333333 --> 00:09:25,403.33333333 You know the old adage, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression if you don't have a backup plan. 101 00:09:25,853.33333333 --> 00:09:28,853.33333333 You are almost certain to fail. 102 00:09:28,853.33333333 --> 00:09:40,373.33333333 And what could that equate to all the way back to our first episode where you could be losing a hundred thousand dollars or more? It could be in the realm of. 103 00:09:40,448.33333333 --> 00:09:42,128.33333333 Millions of dollars. 104 00:09:42,368.33333333 --> 00:09:46,208.33333333 So as you're setting up your platform, it isn't just your laptop. 105 00:09:46,238.33333333 --> 00:09:54,878.33333333 If you think about this entire 2D world, invest in it and consider it your confidence platform. 106 00:09:54,998.33333333 --> 00:09:58,868.33333333 It's a lot different being confident in the 3D world. 107 00:09:58,868.33333333 --> 00:10:02,73.33333333 Would you agree, Kathy? Absolutely. 108 00:10:02,403.33333333 --> 00:10:03,573.33333333 And it's not going away. 109 00:10:03,573.33333333 --> 00:10:10,153.33333333 I know there's a lot of employers that are requesting their employees to come back to the office, but it's hybrid. 110 00:10:10,213.33333333 --> 00:10:14,198.33333333 There will always be hybrid workers and hybrid sales people. 111 00:10:15,553.33333333 --> 00:10:18,73.33333333 Uh, so this information will always be important. 112 00:10:18,73.33333333 --> 00:10:18,878.33333333 It's not gonna go away. 113 00:10:19,533.33333333 --> 00:10:19,893.33333333 Right. 114 00:10:19,923.33333333 --> 00:10:20,853.33333333 Right, exactly. 115 00:10:21,153.33333333 --> 00:10:25,233.33333333 Well, this brings us to number two, which is lighting that loves you. 116 00:10:25,473.33333333 --> 00:10:29,163.33333333 Start to think about the lighting as your friend. 117 00:10:29,163.33333333 --> 00:10:30,603.33333333 Lighting should love you. 118 00:10:30,603.33333333 --> 00:10:39,423.33333333 It should not make you look like you are in a creepy horror movie because lighting can make or break your virtual presentation. 119 00:10:39,423.33333333 --> 00:10:41,163.33333333 And this is brain science. 120 00:10:41,213.33333333 --> 00:10:43,733.33333333 Folks, this is not just Kimberly's conjecture. 121 00:10:44,153.33333333 --> 00:10:47,3.33333333 Poor lighting communicates fatigue. 122 00:10:47,273.33333333 --> 00:10:55,73.33333333 It could communicate low energy, even mistrust or distrust in certain situations. 123 00:10:55,583.33333333 --> 00:11:04,258.33333333 And there are lots of studies that show our brains associate bright, evenly lit faces with approachability and confidence, which we talk about. 124 00:11:04,693.33333333 --> 00:11:18,253.33333333 All the time when your lighting is off or it's dark, it's slightly creepy if you have the light behind you, for example, people unconsciously disengage, and again, this is brain science. 125 00:11:18,633.33333333 --> 00:11:27,843.33333333 You aren't necessarily consciously thinking what is wrong with the person that's presenting on this screen, but you are constantly. 126 00:11:28,8.33333333 --> 00:11:43,818.33333333 Thin slicing over and over and over again, which is something that happens in your amygdala, and it's just fascinating to know that you could be completely turning off your audience and having them disengage with you and not even know it. 127 00:11:44,88.33333333 --> 00:11:48,348.33333333 So that's just another reason to book that group virtual office audit. 128 00:11:48,708.33333333 --> 00:11:49,693.33333333 Kathy, why don't you talk about. 129 00:11:50,28.33333333 --> 00:11:56,358.33333333 Some of the rules of thumb for lighting, and we have talked about this in previous episodes. 130 00:11:56,838.33333333 --> 00:11:57,168.33333333 Sure. 131 00:11:57,168.33333333 --> 00:12:00,858.33333333 Kimberly, the first one is natural light in front of you is the best. 132 00:12:01,763.33333333 --> 00:12:08,243.33333333 If you don't have that ring light or panel lights can supplement when the natural light isn't possible. 133 00:12:08,393.33333333 --> 00:12:08,813.33333333 Mm-hmm. 134 00:12:09,3.33333333 --> 00:12:14,93.33333333 But also to avoid overhead lighting or light from behind like you had mentioned earlier. 135 00:12:14,153.33333333 --> 00:12:14,243.33333333 Mm-hmm. 136 00:12:14,483.33333333 --> 00:12:17,573.33333333 Because it creates harsh shadows or silhouettes. 137 00:12:17,993.33333333 --> 00:12:25,763.33333333 One tip that I know that Kimberly has mentioned several times is when you log onto a Zoom meeting, test it out. 138 00:12:25,763.33333333 --> 00:12:25,853.33333333 Mm-hmm. 139 00:12:26,393.33333333 --> 00:12:31,613.33333333 Look at yourself, see how well lit you are, and if you're not very well lit, light yourself up. 140 00:12:31,613.33333333 --> 00:12:35,133.33333333 You'll notice the difference just by, testing it ahead of time. 141 00:12:35,188.33333333 --> 00:12:46,868.33333333 If you're traveling, pack a portable LED light panel, which is a small flat USB chargeable, and you can keep one in your laptop bag at all times if you want to. 142 00:12:46,868.33333333 --> 00:12:48,638.33333333 I know that Kimberly has one that she likes. 143 00:12:49,278.33333333 --> 00:12:49,698.33333333 Mm-hmm. 144 00:12:49,778.33333333 --> 00:12:50,98.33333333 Mm-hmm. 145 00:12:50,303.33333333 --> 00:12:54,328.33333333 I do the, I have two of the Radiance ring lights. 146 00:12:54,328.33333333 --> 00:12:58,768.33333333 Those are the teeny, teeny tiny little ones that are very, very packable easily. 147 00:12:58,768.33333333 --> 00:13:01,918.33333333 If you have a very small space, I don't travel without it. 148 00:13:01,918.33333333 --> 00:13:08,423.33333333 I have two because they are good for about 90 minutes is what my testing has showed so far. 149 00:13:08,518.33333333 --> 00:13:13,618.33333333 I can get about 90 minutes, but they do have three different light settings, which is great for a tiny ring light. 150 00:13:13,978.33333333 --> 00:13:16,198.33333333 Those are by Radiance, and I think the. 151 00:13:16,343.33333333 --> 00:13:23,453.33333333 Company is Gear Light and we also have that particular ring light in our Amazon affiliate cart. 152 00:13:23,453.33333333 --> 00:13:26,183.33333333 So the Amazon affiliate cart is actually live. 153 00:13:26,423.33333333 --> 00:13:31,703.33333333 We'll put that link in the show notes for a lot of the products that we love and we really do use. 154 00:13:31,703.33333333 --> 00:13:38,3.33333333 And we will not put products in that cart unless we have personally tested them and we have an opinion about them. 155 00:13:38,303.33333333 --> 00:13:40,283.33333333 Yes, so there are a couple of other. 156 00:13:40,283.33333333 --> 00:13:48,18.33333333 Ring lights that we will be testing in the future, and we can talk a little bit more about those portable ones in another show. 157 00:13:48,678.33333333 --> 00:13:57,228.33333333 So just remember that when your lighting works correctly, not only does your face shine, but so does your message. 158 00:13:57,288.33333333 --> 00:13:59,43.33333333 Kathy said this in a previous show. 159 00:13:59,43.33333333 --> 00:14:04,743.33333333 You know, you can just check yourself out, log onto that meeting, check yourself out, see how you're doing. 160 00:14:04,923.33333333 --> 00:14:08,253.33333333 What you see on your camera is what your audience. 161 00:14:08,818.33333333 --> 00:14:23,488.33333333 It blows me away that most people, until they go through this type of training, like the group virtual office audit, they give no mind to any of these details and how they are being perceived in this 2D world. 162 00:14:23,698.33333333 --> 00:14:35,228.33333333 I think you're right, Kimberly, except I would add one more detail and that is, by checking yourself out first and you might be a little bit dark, but you don't realize it and you don't know how to fix it. 163 00:14:35,558.33333333 --> 00:14:36,548.33333333 That's the other issue. 164 00:14:37,273.33333333 --> 00:14:38,173.33333333 Yes, that is true. 165 00:14:38,173.33333333 --> 00:14:38,473.33333333 Yes. 166 00:14:38,473.33333333 --> 00:14:39,613.33333333 Thank you for pointing that out. 167 00:14:40,243.33333333 --> 00:14:44,683.33333333 Number three would be, and these are number three of the five must haves. 168 00:14:44,683.33333333 --> 00:14:47,443.33333333 Number three would be professional audio. 169 00:14:47,863.33333333 --> 00:14:50,743.33333333 I am using a dynamic microphone today. 170 00:14:50,743.33333333 --> 00:14:54,88.33333333 Kathy is using a condenser microphone, and let me just. 171 00:14:54,373.33333333 --> 00:15:00,253.33333333 Remind you bad visuals are forgiven before bad audio. 172 00:15:00,253.33333333 --> 00:15:15,793.33333333 It is so important to get that audio correct if you don't have the budget for an upgraded microphone, you could even just use your earbuds that have the microphone in the eared or on your little device. 173 00:15:16,333.33333333 --> 00:15:17,323.33333333 Just test it. 174 00:15:17,323.33333333 --> 00:15:21,403.33333333 Please, whatever you do, whatever you decide, test it first. 175 00:15:21,883.33333333 --> 00:15:22,453.33333333 Any. 176 00:15:22,728.33333333 --> 00:15:32,988.33333333 Upgraded audio is better than no upgraded audio, and we do tests all the time, live in hands-on lab, in meetings, in podcasts. 177 00:15:32,988.33333333 --> 00:15:38,613.33333333 We're always trying to test this so that we can give you an idea of how I. 178 00:15:39,193.33333333 --> 00:15:57,13.33333333 Your message is being diminished if your professional audio is not given consideration because it is the single most overlooked part of the virtual experience, but it's the one piece that can really make you shine. 179 00:15:58,283.33333333 --> 00:15:58,643.33333333 Kimberly. 180 00:15:58,643.33333333 --> 00:16:09,683.33333333 Remember, not too long ago we asked some of our listeners what their pet peeve was, and the number one pet peeve that came back was audio, not having a separate audio. 181 00:16:10,133.33333333 --> 00:16:10,583.33333333 Oh, you're right. 182 00:16:10,583.33333333 --> 00:16:11,333.33333333 Or separate microphone. 183 00:16:11,333.33333333 --> 00:16:13,313.33333333 I mean, you know what? Let's do another poll. 184 00:16:13,313.33333333 --> 00:16:17,903.33333333 We should do another poll on social media just to see if that is still what is trending. 185 00:16:17,933.33333333 --> 00:16:19,673.33333333 I think that would be super, super interesting. 186 00:16:19,673.33333333 --> 00:16:23,303.33333333 So if you're listening, please follow us on social media. 187 00:16:23,303.33333333 --> 00:16:24,338.33333333 You can find us at. 188 00:16:24,813.33333333 --> 00:16:28,533.33333333 Virtual presentation skills, virtual engage. 189 00:16:28,533.33333333 --> 00:16:33,483.33333333 Those are our two handles on Instagram, Facebook, we're on everything. 190 00:16:33,483.33333333 --> 00:16:35,403.33333333 Webinar, LinkedIn, we're everything. 191 00:16:35,403.33333333 --> 00:16:37,353.33333333 Webinar you can find Kathy. 192 00:16:37,563.33333333 --> 00:16:38,13.33333333 Gina. 193 00:16:38,133.33333333 --> 00:16:39,873.33333333 You can find Kimberly Gilbert. 194 00:16:39,963.33333333 --> 00:16:48,108.3333333 That's Kimberly with an I By the way, let's talk a little bit about the microphones that are travel friendly since we're talking about our. 195 00:16:48,583.3333333 --> 00:16:52,243.3333333 Pillar, which is rotation number three, work from anywhere. 196 00:16:52,693.3333333 --> 00:17:00,163.3333333 I've heard a lot of really good information about the road, R-O-D-E-N-T-U-S-B mini. 197 00:17:00,163.3333333 --> 00:17:05,173.3333333 Now I have not tested that one yet myself, but the reviews that I've seen online. 198 00:17:05,558.3333333 --> 00:17:10,118.3333333 Are really favorable and I know a lot of people like the Sure. 199 00:17:10,148.3333333 --> 00:17:11,198.3333333 MV five. 200 00:17:11,198.3333333 --> 00:17:23,828.3333333 I am right now using a sure MV seven, and I do travel with this microphone if I feel like my ambient noise in the situation I'm traveling to might be compromised. 201 00:17:24,128.3333333 --> 00:17:32,768.3333333 It's a bit big and it's better if it's on a boom, but I can hold it and I can get it really close to my mouth the way that it's supposed to. 202 00:17:33,413.3333333 --> 00:17:35,153.3333333 So that is an MV five. 203 00:17:35,603.3333333 --> 00:17:40,223.3333333 I also have a Samson Meteor mic and a Samson satellite mic. 204 00:17:40,223.3333333 --> 00:17:42,173.3333333 And those are both easy to travel with. 205 00:17:42,173.3333333 --> 00:17:47,723.3333333 I know Kathy well, Kathy, I think you're using the Samson satellite mic, right? Yes, yes I am. 206 00:17:48,413.3333333 --> 00:17:48,683.3333333 Okay. 207 00:17:48,683.3333333 --> 00:17:53,738.3333333 And how do you feel about that one as far as travel ability? Oh, I think it's fantastic. 208 00:17:54,38.3333333 --> 00:18:02,258.3333333 It looks like a little spaceship, and then you put the legs up and you wrap the cord around it, and I have a nice little bag that I put it in and it just pops right into my case. 209 00:18:02,468.3333333 --> 00:18:07,848.3333333 It's, it's really, really handy and it works really well in terms of my audio. 210 00:18:08,253.3333333 --> 00:18:08,673.3333333 Mm-hmm. 211 00:18:08,753.3333333 --> 00:18:08,993.3333333 Mm-hmm. 212 00:18:09,108.3333333 --> 00:18:09,558.3333333 I know it. 213 00:18:09,588.3333333 --> 00:18:10,548.3333333 I think it sounds great. 214 00:18:10,738.3333333 --> 00:18:21,148.3333333 I am really partial to the travel cases, like you said, for the shore microphone that I'm using, these are in the $300 range, so they aren't inexpensive. 215 00:18:21,268.3333333 --> 00:18:21,358.3333333 Mm-hmm. 216 00:18:21,598.3333333 --> 00:18:28,288.3333333 So when I travel, I make sure that it's packed with foam and I have a hard case travel case for it to protect it. 217 00:18:28,658.3333333 --> 00:18:31,238.3333333 I know some of the others come with travel cases. 218 00:18:31,268.3333333 --> 00:18:39,188.3333333 We also have a Blue Yeti that we use in the studio, but that one's really big and heavy, so I prefer not to travel with that one. 219 00:18:39,188.3333333 --> 00:18:43,658.3333333 I think my favorite one to travel with for a condenser microphone would be the Samson. 220 00:18:44,138.3333333 --> 00:18:44,228.3333333 Mm-hmm. 221 00:18:44,468.3333333 --> 00:18:46,58.3333333 The satellite, the one that you are using. 222 00:18:46,468.3333333 --> 00:18:49,198.3333333 Don't forget your earbuds headphones. 223 00:18:49,258.3333333 --> 00:18:55,408.3333333 We won't go into that right now, but I strongly suggest you consider using headphones. 224 00:18:55,408.3333333 --> 00:19:00,928.3333333 I'm not wearing mine today because I'm not really looking for that rich binaural experience. 225 00:19:00,928.3333333 --> 00:19:08,488.3333333 But when I am, when I'm in meetings, or if I'm your voice coach, I need to hear all of those rich, beautiful tones of your voice. 226 00:19:08,493.3333333 --> 00:19:15,93.3333333 And listen for inflection, prosody, all of the things we teach to our voice. 227 00:19:15,93.3333333 --> 00:19:19,548.3333333 Students, your headphones, could potentially not just eliminate.
(19:19):
Hearing others and giving you a richer experience with the audio, but also the echo from your microphone feed.
I dunno if you've ever heard that echo before and you're struggling to figure out what in the world is going on.
It can be very frustrating.
I think maybe we'll go into that in more detail, Kathy, in another episode when we have a little bit of time.
Okay.
If you take a moment to consider the mindset shift, sound equals presence.
(19:46):
People hear authority in clear, warm audio.
And if you're, if you sound like you're calling from, I don't know, the bottom of a fish tank or in the middle of a tunnel in the middle of nowhere, no one's brain is sticking around for your brilliance.
And then what are we all doing? Wasting each other's time.
(20:06):
I'm really just so adamant to help people understand not only the theory, but the practical nature of what we teach. 238 00:20:18,701.6666667 --> 00:20:24,341.6666667 Let's move on to number four out of five, your framing and background. 239 00:20:24,906.6666667 --> 00:20:32,616.6666667 Remember, this is where your visual story in your virtual office comes alive. 240 00:20:33,66.6666667 --> 00:20:47,256.6666667 You can command that room before you even speak, and that was episode number 57 during leadership week, commanding the room and talking about virtual presence. 241 00:20:47,556.6666667 --> 00:20:53,976.6666667 Your framing, which is basically how you appear to the world, can communicate. 242 00:20:54,231.6666667 --> 00:21:08,271.6666667 Many, many things, and it's not just what you say, it's your camera angle, the way that your eyes are looking directly into the camera, making sure that your frame is proper. 243 00:21:09,326.6666667 --> 00:21:12,56.6666667 For example, having your shoulders visible. 244 00:21:12,446.6666667 --> 00:21:20,916.6666667 Kathy and I did a test a couple of episodes ago where we tested the feel and how we feel with visual presence. 245 00:21:20,916.6666667 --> 00:21:26,796.6666667 When you're closer to the camera like we are now, it really creates more of an intimate. 246 00:21:26,916.6666667 --> 00:21:29,406.6666667 Setting, almost like we are face-to-face. 247 00:21:29,406.6666667 --> 00:21:37,246.6666667 Obviously, we love and we cheer for face-to-face meetings all the time, but when we don't have that option, this is a little bit more intimate. 248 00:21:37,246.6666667 --> 00:21:45,106.6666667 And then if you take just about three steps back, if you have that much space, you are more in an authority position. 249 00:21:45,166.6666667 --> 00:21:53,416.6666667 And I challenge you to test this for yourself and see yourself on camera and what the different positions. 250 00:21:53,471.6666667 --> 00:22:02,171.6666667 Do for you, and depending upon your particular avatar or your audience, what do they need from you? Mm-hmm. 251 00:22:02,631.6666667 --> 00:22:10,241.6666667 Kathy, how do you feel about real versus virtual backgrounds? In my opinion, I like real backgrounds. 252 00:22:11,141.6666667 --> 00:22:16,871.6666667 The virtual blurring of your background tends to make people look alien. 253 00:22:16,871.6666667 --> 00:22:17,711.6666667 Like sometimes. 254 00:22:17,711.6666667 --> 00:22:18,701.6666667 I know it's gotten better. 255 00:22:18,881.6666667 --> 00:22:22,221.6666667 It has gotten better, but I would prefer a real background Right. 256 00:22:22,411.6666667 --> 00:22:23,341.6666667 I agree with you. 257 00:22:23,341.6666667 --> 00:22:28,651.6666667 I think the background can really add to your credibility, but it can also distract from it. 258 00:22:28,831.6666667 --> 00:22:39,451.6666667 I always tell people, if you have the opportunity to have just a plain background versus something that is messy and you have not given any thought to. 259 00:22:39,886.6666667 --> 00:22:42,496.6666667 Just go find a blank wall. 260 00:22:42,496.6666667 --> 00:22:44,626.6666667 It does not have to be anything fancy. 261 00:22:44,626.6666667 --> 00:22:46,516.6666667 You don't have to spend a lot of money. 262 00:22:47,56.6666667 --> 00:22:52,816.6666667 Kathy was actually in a meeting with us while she was traveling and she was, well, I'll let you tell them. 263 00:22:54,196.6666667 --> 00:23:01,411.6666667 We were staying in a cabin in the mountains and there was no area sitting or standing that I could be, that was not. 264 00:23:02,196.6666667 --> 00:23:05,686.6666667 Full of windows or all kinds of other things. 265 00:23:05,686.6666667 --> 00:23:15,826.6666667 So I sat on the floor, my back against the wall put my laptop on the bed, added my ring light to the little shelf unit to the left of me. 266 00:23:15,826.6666667 --> 00:23:17,266.6666667 'cause it was kind of dark in there. 267 00:23:17,566.6666667 --> 00:23:17,656.6666667 Mm-hmm. 268 00:23:17,656.6666667 --> 00:23:20,56.6666667 And then I had my microphone right in front of. 269 00:23:20,791.6666667 --> 00:23:22,591.6666667 And so that was it. 270 00:23:23,101.6666667 --> 00:23:25,51.6666667 And you honestly, you could not tell. 271 00:23:25,51.6666667 --> 00:23:38,431.6666667 I did not know that Kathy was sitting on the floor and I said, you have got to have somebody take a picture of this because this is what we do to be sure that we are meeting the needs of our audience, which is the whole entire goal. 272 00:23:38,431.6666667 --> 00:23:38,521.6666667 Mm-hmm. 273 00:23:38,821.6666667 --> 00:23:42,876.6666667 It's your job to nurture their learning journey and the way they are. 274 00:23:43,856.6666667 --> 00:23:45,746.6666667 You and perceiving you. 275 00:23:45,986.6666667 --> 00:23:57,476.6666667 It's worth it to put some time and some intention into your virtual meetings so you can, and remember, it's only from the waist up that you see me, so you don't know I'm sitting on the floor. 276 00:23:57,851.6666667 --> 00:23:58,171.6666667 I know. 277 00:23:58,586.6666667 --> 00:24:00,506.6666667 I thought it was very, very clever. 278 00:24:00,956.6666667 --> 00:24:05,291.6666667 If you think about your branding and your virtual meetings. 279 00:24:05,666.6666667 --> 00:24:13,716.6666667 Maybe this is just a second or an afterthought for you, but is it intentional and is it consistent that those are two things you could think about. 280 00:24:13,866.6666667 --> 00:24:19,416.6666667 Sometimes the virtual backgrounds are fantastic in certain settings. 281 00:24:19,416.6666667 --> 00:24:30,696.6666667 For example, I have teams and they all want everybody to feel like they're together and they are part of this background that is a, a beautiful office. 282 00:24:30,716.6666667 --> 00:24:34,706.6666667 With 10 shares around a table with a big brick wall. 283 00:24:34,886.6666667 --> 00:24:39,536.6666667 Everybody uses the same background so that it's very consistent. 284 00:24:39,536.6666667 --> 00:24:45,776.6666667 That's a really good example of a virtual background, and we coach a little bit different in those situations. 285 00:24:45,776.6666667 --> 00:24:48,596.6666667 That's more for a team, but just think about you. 286 00:24:48,596.6666667 --> 00:24:55,226.6666667 Who is brand you and is it intentional as well as consistent? Honestly, we were having those. 287 00:24:55,241.6666667 --> 00:25:02,381.6666667 Conversations before the show today, because we're so new to podcasting, we have 60 ish episodes. 288 00:25:02,381.6666667 --> 00:25:04,831.6666667 But I have to tell you that's just brand new. 289 00:25:05,191.6666667 --> 00:25:09,481.6666667 That's just like my grandbaby starting to walk. 290 00:25:09,751.6666667 --> 00:25:12,481.6666667 We're just barely scratching the surface. 291 00:25:12,481.6666667 --> 00:25:15,451.6666667 So those are things that we are working on as well. 292 00:25:15,511.6666667 --> 00:25:17,731.6666667 Intentionality and consistency. 293 00:25:18,461.6666667 --> 00:25:26,261.6666667 And number five is the reliable connectivity as well as the backup systems. 294 00:25:27,221.6666667 --> 00:25:39,191.6666667 Now, let me just tell you, I have been in these situations so many times, and like I said earlier, we had a technical glitch last week that I really had not expected. 295 00:25:39,191.6666667 --> 00:25:49,961.6666667 And could I have mitigated that situation better if I had my battery backup connected and ready to go? Probably as it was. 296 00:25:49,961.6666667 --> 00:25:53,81.6666667 I think it took three minutes to get back into the meeting. 297 00:25:53,291.6666667 --> 00:25:59,531.6666667 So, Kathy, were you sweating bullets at that point? I wasn't sweating bullets, but I was wondering a little bit. 298 00:25:59,711.6666667 --> 00:26:00,901.6666667 I think you created a hot. 299 00:26:01,186.6666667 --> 00:26:03,346.6666667 Spot a personal hotspot, didn't you? I did, yes. 300 00:26:03,346.6666667 --> 00:26:07,186.6666667 Yeah, I used my personal hotspot because I didn't even know what was going on. 301 00:26:07,186.6666667 --> 00:26:12,521.6666667 Usually I know if the ISP, if I see their trucks, on the road below the house. 302 00:26:13,266.6666667 --> 00:26:29,106.6666667 There's some indication if your ISP just goes flat, there really isn't a lot that you can do except for switching over to a personal hotspot, which we can teach you to do that in less than 30 seconds. 303 00:26:29,106.6666667 --> 00:26:30,96.6666667 It's so easy. 304 00:26:30,306.6666667 --> 00:26:32,436.6666667 Actually, we have a mini cast on that. 305 00:26:33,86.6666667 --> 00:26:34,346.6666667 I'll put that in the show notes. 306 00:26:34,616.6666667 --> 00:26:34,916.6666667 Okay. 307 00:26:34,946.6666667 --> 00:26:35,546.6666667 Okay, perfect. 308 00:26:35,546.6666667 --> 00:26:36,326.6666667 I think that's great. 309 00:26:36,666.6666667 --> 00:26:38,946.6666667 Maybe less than a minute if you haven't done it before. 310 00:26:38,946.6666667 --> 00:26:48,696.6666667 But doing it the second and third time, it's really about 30 seconds and you jump right back into that Zoom meeting or whatever platform you're using very, very quickly. 311 00:26:49,416.6666667 --> 00:26:50,886.6666667 And if you have a good. 312 00:26:50,961.6666667 --> 00:27:00,881.6666667 Co-host or a cos speaker like I did that day with Kathy, she was able to continue to talk to everybody and let them know that I was having a tech issue and no big deal. 313 00:27:00,941.6666667 --> 00:27:02,501.6666667 We were able to get through it. 314 00:27:02,741.6666667 --> 00:27:06,701.6666667 If this had been 20 years ago, I probably would've been crying, honestly. 315 00:27:06,701.6666667 --> 00:27:10,151.6666667 I would've just given up and just thought, I have no idea what to do. 316 00:27:10,541.6666667 --> 00:27:11,591.6666667 I don't know what I'm doing. 317 00:27:11,591.6666667 --> 00:27:19,601.6666667 How am I going to recover my breath? How do I recover my thoughts? That's why the emergency checklist is so important, because your connectivity. 318 00:27:19,996.6666667 --> 00:27:21,496.6666667 Is really your lifeline. 319 00:27:21,496.6666667 --> 00:27:21,586.6666667 Mm-hmm. 320 00:27:21,826.6666667 --> 00:27:25,306.6666667 If you think about it that way, that's how important it is. 321 00:27:25,516.6666667 --> 00:27:25,636.6666667 Mm-hmm. 322 00:27:26,416.6666667 --> 00:27:30,346.6666667 And there are a few non-negotiables in my opinion. 323 00:27:30,826.6666667 --> 00:27:34,876.6666667 It's important for you to know your upload speed. 324 00:27:34,906.6666667 --> 00:27:36,286.6666667 I know everybody's all. 325 00:27:36,796.6666667 --> 00:27:43,6.6666667 Crazy about download speeds and you can have a gig or two gigs or whatever the case may be. 326 00:27:43,366.6666667 --> 00:27:44,746.6666667 That doesn't mean a lot to us. 327 00:27:44,746.6666667 --> 00:28:00,136.6666667 When we're functioning in the virtual world, we really need to have at least 10 megabytes of upload for any type of HD video and we're pushing HD typically through our cameras, and that's a minimum folks, 10 megabytes for an upload speed. 328 00:28:00,416.6666667 --> 00:28:01,16.6666667 Okay. 329 00:28:01,166.6666667 --> 00:28:04,706.6666667 I would be really concerned if I only had 10 megabytes. 330 00:28:04,706.6666667 --> 00:28:10,646.6666667 I have a minimum of 30 myself, and I like it to be closer to a hundred if possible. 331 00:28:10,883.3333333 --> 00:28:12,113.3333333 Not always possible. 332 00:28:12,113.3333333 --> 00:28:20,503.3333333 There are some networks I hear that have the upload and the download speed the same, but I haven't tested them yet, so I can't speak to them, but give some mindfulness. 333 00:28:20,503.3333333 --> 00:28:26,443.3333333 To your upload speed, and like Kathy said, keep a mobile hotspot or a cellular backup. 334 00:28:26,443.3333333 --> 00:28:31,543.3333333 A lot of the companies have those little cubes now that can act as a cellular backup for you. 335 00:28:32,243.3333333 --> 00:28:35,903.3333333 And I travel with an ethernet adapter. 336 00:28:35,903.3333333 --> 00:28:46,373.3333333 I do my Moen, which is my adapter for my computer, for all of my accessories, has an ethernet adapter, and I do bring the ethernet cord with me. 337 00:28:46,613.3333333 --> 00:28:49,373.3333333 I would have to say this is my least favorite choice. 338 00:28:49,403.3333333 --> 00:28:53,603.3333333 It is the, probably the most consistent choice in wifi. 339 00:28:54,123.3333333 --> 00:29:05,613.3333333 Reliability because you're directly connected, but how often if you're a digital nomad and you're working from home isn't the whole point to be able to work from anywhere and look professional everywhere. 340 00:29:05,613.3333333 --> 00:29:05,703.3333333 Mm-hmm. 341 00:29:06,183.3333333 --> 00:29:19,893.3333333 You might not want to stay in your hotel room and connect with that ethernet cable, so it's a good idea to build your to-go bag with an ethernet adapter if it's possible. 342 00:29:20,13.3333333 --> 00:29:28,843.3333333 We offer a few bonus tips, close every background app before presenting your email, your browser tabs, even your cloud sync. 343 00:29:28,873.3333333 --> 00:29:30,493.3333333 They all steal bandwidth. 344 00:29:31,33.3333333 --> 00:29:31,123.3333333 Mm-hmm. 345 00:29:31,483.3333333 --> 00:29:35,143.3333333 And think of this, step as your digital hygiene. 346 00:29:35,503.3333333 --> 00:29:36,733.3333333 Clean connection. 347 00:29:36,913.3333333 --> 00:29:37,933.3333333 Clean delivery. 348 00:29:38,293.3333333 --> 00:29:39,403.3333333 Ooh, I love that. 349 00:29:39,553.3333333 --> 00:29:40,93.3333333 Yeah. 350 00:29:40,148.3333333 --> 00:29:40,923.3333333 Clean, clean. 351 00:29:40,923.3333333 --> 00:29:41,713.3333333 I'm always talking about. 352 00:29:42,723.3333333 --> 00:29:44,913.3333333 Dirty links and not using dirty links. 353 00:29:44,913.3333333 --> 00:29:45,3.3333333 Yes. 354 00:29:45,3.3333333 --> 00:29:45,663.3333333 For meetings. 355 00:29:45,663.3333333 --> 00:29:49,953.3333333 And so I love that digital hygiene, everything clean. 356 00:29:49,953.3333333 --> 00:29:52,953.3333333 And we ask for our attendees. 357 00:29:52,953.3333333 --> 00:30:00,63.3333333 Usually we ask in the beginning of any presentation to disconnect and in some of our. 358 00:30:00,453.3333333 --> 00:30:05,43.3333333 Pre-training briefs that we're starting to create. 359 00:30:05,43.3333333 --> 00:30:10,623.3333333 We will be asking for you to consider closing your email, closing those browser tabs. 360 00:30:10,623.3333333 --> 00:30:20,643.3333333 Just like Kathy said, closing down anything that could steal bandwidth and turn off your ringers and dingers your phones, your timers, because those steal attention. 361 00:30:21,93.3333333 --> 00:30:21,183.3333333 Mm-hmm. 362 00:30:21,428.3333333 --> 00:30:21,778.3333333 Mm-hmm. 363 00:30:21,863.3333333 --> 00:30:23,703.3333333 Now, how do we Thank you for that, Kathy. 364 00:30:23,703.3333333 --> 00:30:25,263.3333333 I love that term, digital hygiene. 365 00:30:25,953.3333333 --> 00:30:37,293.3333333 So how do we bring this all together, these five essentials we spoke about platform and hardware, lighting, audio framing, and connectivity. 366 00:30:37,533.3333333 --> 00:30:43,53.3333333 It's the time to start testing, refining and repeating. 367 00:30:43,923.3333333 --> 00:30:45,303.3333333 Shampoo, rinse, repeat. 368 00:30:45,303.3333333 --> 00:30:48,213.3333333 Wasn't that a commercial a few years ago? I dunno. 369 00:30:48,423.3333333 --> 00:30:50,403.3333333 It could be because that, that's the thing. 370 00:30:50,463.3333333 --> 00:30:52,203.3333333 That's the thing that that came to mind. 371 00:30:52,443.3333333 --> 00:30:55,983.3333333 And understanding your virtual office is never complete. 372 00:30:55,983.3333333 --> 00:30:57,843.3333333 We're talking about tech. 373 00:30:58,323.3333333 --> 00:31:00,483.3333333 Tech is always evolving. 374 00:31:00,723.3333333 --> 00:31:09,273.3333333 We started using AI tools just a couple months ago and they are wildly different than they were just a couple of months ago. 375 00:31:09,668.3333333 --> 00:31:19,88.3333333 That's why I like for us as a team to choose the last Friday of every month as our tech day, and we go through our technology. 376 00:31:19,148.3333333 --> 00:31:28,808.3333333 Now, we don't always do this, I'll tell you because some Fridays are just not available to focus on tech, but that would be my preference for me and my teams. 377 00:31:28,808.3333333 --> 00:31:35,668.3333333 I would recommend if you can't step away for one day out of the month to complete a tech check. 378 00:31:35,968.3333333 --> 00:31:42,473.3333333 How about just a quarterly audit? I think that's probably a little bit more doable for the masses. 379 00:31:42,473.3333333 --> 00:31:49,333.3333333 And have a checklist and go through that audit of your setup and practice. 380 00:31:49,333.3333333 --> 00:31:50,623.3333333 Practice practice. 381 00:31:50,893.3333333 --> 00:31:54,313.3333333 Record yourself presenting and playing it back. 382 00:31:54,613.3333333 --> 00:31:58,723.3333333 Check yourself out for lighting, audio, and your engagement. 383 00:31:59,163.3333333 --> 00:32:00,513.3333333 I love this technique. 384 00:32:00,843.3333333 --> 00:32:07,798.3333333 Record yourself for just two minutes speaking gesturing, don't be mindful of your gestures at this point. 385 00:32:09,103.3333333 --> 00:32:13,723.3333333 So be mindful of all of those elements, your lighting, your audio, your engagement. 386 00:32:13,723.3333333 --> 00:32:20,173.3333333 Record yourself for just two minutes, and then watch yourself back on mute. 387 00:32:20,938.3333333 --> 00:32:28,888.3333333 This really helps you to understand your natural gestures and how you look at the camera when you're inclined to look away. 388 00:32:29,68.3333333 --> 00:32:36,298.3333333 What could potentially disengage you when you are auditing yourself, could potentially disengage your audience. 389 00:32:36,358.3333333 --> 00:32:37,528.3333333 And this is free. 390 00:32:37,528.3333333 --> 00:32:38,158.3333333 I'm giving this. 391 00:32:38,233.3333333 --> 00:32:38,893.3333333 To you free. 392 00:32:38,893.3333333 --> 00:32:43,723.3333333 This is a training technique I've used for years, so take advantage of it. 393 00:32:44,203.3333333 --> 00:32:57,373.3333333 Also, consider having your to-go bag ready with your microphone, your light, your cables, your adapter, and all of your notes, maybe even that go live emergency preparedness checklist that we've talked about. 394 00:32:58,18.3333333 --> 00:33:03,748.3333333 When you are prepared, you are absolutely unstoppable. 395 00:33:04,198.3333333 --> 00:33:08,338.3333333 Your preparedness gives you confidence, it gives you power. 396 00:33:08,668.3333333 --> 00:33:21,958.3333333 So I'd like for you to consider that before we close, because your laptop lifestyle is really about not just the freedom, but the confidence through consistency. 397 00:33:22,318.3333333 --> 00:33:27,538.3333333 If you are listening and thinking, boy, I really need this level of polish in my setup. 398 00:33:28,63.3333333 --> 00:33:28,813.3333333 You're in luck. 399 00:33:29,323.3333333 --> 00:33:31,903.3333333 Join us for the group Virtual Office audit. 400 00:33:31,933.3333333 --> 00:33:37,483.3333333 It's the only audit where you won't owe any money and you will smile during the audit. 401 00:33:37,713.3333333 --> 00:33:40,203.3333333 It's 30 minutes, seven steps. 402 00:33:40,383.3333333 --> 00:33:46,123.3333333 You would be amazed at the simple but important tips that are offered during this audit. 403 00:33:47,518.3333333 --> 00:33:57,998.3333333 Yes, and the confidence that will help you potentially grow into the leader you want to become or hone and polish the leadership skills you already have. 404 00:33:58,298.3333333 --> 00:34:06,728.3333333 I am absolutely amazed at how many professional presenters hire us or are in meetings with us. 405 00:34:08,288.3333333 --> 00:34:11,468.3333333 They tell me afterward after the group virtual office audit. 406 00:34:12,158.3333333 --> 00:34:25,108.3333333 Kimberly, I didn't wanna say anything during the audit, but I have a lot of work to do and I'm thinking, I can identify the in during any of those seven steps exactly where you are failing. 407 00:34:25,108.3333333 --> 00:34:26,548.3333333 It's very easy for me. 408 00:34:26,788.3333333 --> 00:34:33,898.3333333 This virtual office audit was created about five years ago, and we have audited thousands of people around the globe. 409 00:34:34,783.3333333 --> 00:34:40,483.3333333 We can really help and we can help you gain the confidence you need to move forward. 410 00:34:40,813.3333333 --> 00:34:45,793.3333333 So if you have a moment, join us@virtualofficeaudit.com. 411 00:34:46,3.3333333 --> 00:34:48,133.3333333 You can tap the link in the show notes. 412 00:34:48,163.3333333 --> 00:34:48,253.3333333 Mm-hmm. 413 00:34:48,493.3333333 --> 00:34:54,343.3333333 And if you've enjoyed today's episode, please do us a favor and take a moment to download. 414 00:34:54,768.3333333 --> 00:34:57,318.3333333 Save rate review. 415 00:34:57,558.3333333 --> 00:35:02,238.3333333 Interact with us on platforms like Podbean and Apple. 416 00:35:02,568.3333333 --> 00:35:07,288.3333333 Your feedback really helps us to understand how to better meet your needs. 417 00:35:07,368.3333333 --> 00:35:12,978.3333333 We look forward to sharing time with you in the next episode where we go live from the waist up.
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