Virtual interviews have become a common format for podcasts, local TV, livestreams, book clubs, media interviews, webinars, and more. They make coordinating interviews convenient—you can join from almost anywhere, and hosts will typically provide a direct link to join at the scheduled time.

You might feel confident and ready to speak about your book, but poor lighting, awkward framing, or bad audio can distract from what you have to say. The good news is that you don’t need a professional studio. A few small adjustments to your lighting, camera placement, audio, and background can make you look and sound considerably more polished.

Here are a few best practices to help set your virtual interview up for success. We recommend taking some time to set up and troubleshoot before the actual interview. While Zoom is one of the platforms we see used most often, many of these tips apply to other virtual meeting platforms as well.

Start With Your Frame

Sometimes interviewers use Zoom simply to record a conversation for their notes or upload only the audio to podcast platforms. But increasingly, interviews are also shared as video on YouTube or social media platforms, so it’s important to consider how you look on screen.

Place your camera at or around eye level. You may need to prop your laptop or phone up on a few books or use a stand, but avoid positioning the camera so that you’re looking down at it.

Aim to frame yourself approximately mid-chest up, with a little space above your head. Sit far enough away that you can move naturally without going out of frame, and make sure your device is stable so the image isn’t shaking. During the conversation, try to look toward the camera periodically rather than watching your own image the entire time.

Make Lighting Work for You

Whenever possible, face a window or another light source so your face is well illuminated. Avoid sitting with a bright window directly behind you, which can leave your face in shadow.

A basic desk lamp or inexpensive ring light can also be more reliable than overhead lighting alone, which sometimes creates harsh shadows. If you’ll be using natural light, check your setup around the same time of day as the interview since lighting can change throughout the day.

Prioritize Clear Audio

Audio may be the most important technical factor to get right. You want your interviewer—and ultimately the audience—to hear you clearly without competing with background noise.

Choose a quiet room with minimal echo. Close doors and windows, silence your phone and notifications, and pay attention to less obvious sounds. A laptop sitting next to a fan or air conditioner, for example, can pick up white noise that muffles your voice.

If possible, wired headphones or an external microphone can help improve audio quality, but test them first. Make sure they connect properly to the device you plan to use for the interview. Record yourself speaking and play it back. If your computer’s built-in microphone sounds clearer than an unfamiliar headset, use what works best.

Before joining a Zoom meeting, you can also test your audio and confirm that Zoom is using the microphone and speaker you intended.

Check Your Background and Zoom Settings

Take a look at everything that will appear behind you on screen. Remove clutter or anything especially distracting—but having your book intentionally displayed in the background or beside you can be a nice touch!

A bookshelf or simple room setting usually works well as long as it isn’t overly busy. If your space isn’t ideal, Zoom also offers a background blur feature.

It’s worth spending a few minutes getting comfortable with Zoom’s settings before the interview. Make sure your displayed name is correct and professional. Check your selected camera and microphone, and decide whether features that automatically reframe or track you are helpful or distracting. Zoom also offers appearance and lighting adjustments, but avoid filters that make you look unnatural.

Do a Tech Rehearsal

Open Zoom before interview day—not two minutes before the call. Check your audio volume, lighting, camera angle, background, internet connection, and microphone selection.

You can also take a screenshot of yourself on screen and ask: If this image appeared on TV, YouTube, or social media, is there anything that would distract me? 

While you’re rehearsing, think through three to five talking points you’d especially like to hit during the interview. This doesn’t need to be an exhaustive list, but having a few key points that best encapsulate your book and your message can help ground the conversation. And remember to say the title of your book rather than simply referring to “my book.”

Finally, plug in your computer or device before the interview or make sure it is fully charged.

You don’t need a complicated setup to have a polished virtual interview. A clean background, flattering light, clear sound, and a few minutes of advance testing can prevent technical distractions and allow the interviewer—and ultimately the audience—to focus on you and your book.

Want more information on how to best leverage media opportunities? Contact us to learn how PR by the Book helps authors secure coverage, prepare for interviews, sharpen their talking points, and show up confidently when it’s time to go on camera.

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