This article is sponsored by Visual Learning Solutions, LLC.
As many local businesses close their doors or go online-only, it can be challenging to adjust your business strategy and embrace the shift. Most of us use computers or smartphones every day, but moving your operations entirely online is a whole different story.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by new technologies, endless virtual conferencing tools, or quarantine-friendly marketing, Buddy Broyles at Visual Learning Solutions is here to help! He’s sharing some of his favorite digital tips and tricks to help your business and your employees, during times of change and uncertainty.
Make the Best of Downtime with Virtual Training Tools
Any Google search will tell you that video is the most powerful digital tool for reaching customers. It’s also one of the best ways to inform and educate your internal teams. Right now is the time to use extra hours to train your team and teach yourself new tech skills for the road ahead.
“Embrace the current situation and accept video going forward as the best marketing and training tool.” – Buddy Broyles, Owner Visual Learning Solutions
You can use platforms like LinkedIn Learning and MOOC.org to create instructor-led training courses from the comfort of your couch or home office.
Keep your fuzzy slippers on, slip into some business casual attire, and record webcam videos as if you’re presenting in the conference room. Walk viewers through training on video, then edit your footage with advanced tools like RIFE or Adobe Captivate, where you can add visuals, demonstrations, and other course-focused features like quizzes and questionnaires.
Reach Beyond Your Desk with Free Webcasting and Sharing Sites
When it comes to finding success online, you don’t need to turn immediately to the fanciest, most expensive video services or broadcasting tools. Free tools like Zoom, Vimeo, and Youtube offer complimentary sharing features that help you share insights, updates, and resources with your teams and customers alike.
Schedule weekly staff conferences with Zoom to keep your teams connected from home. If you’re looking to make training or other business resources accessible for your teams, consider creating a private Youtube or Vimeo channel.
Upload your training videos or other internal resources, then send secure links out to your staff for free, seamlessly sharing.
The same methodology applies to your clients. Leverage the power of Facebook or Instagram Live to share fun updates, important news or special offers with your biggest fans. Followers get a notification when you go live, plus the videos save to your page for future viewings.
Get comfortable on camera and share your best tips for staying busy during quarantine, a unique way you’re servicing customers remotely, or even just a funny story from your kiddo’s latest Zoom class. Personal check-ins like this help keep you connected with existing and potential customers when in-person interactions aren’t an option.
Level Up Your Zoom Game and Conference Like a Pro
If you’re conducting training or conferencing from your home office, don’t be the person with a terrible visual presence. It’s challenging to treat a Zoom or Google Hangouts meeting like an in-person one. Rather, take these unorthodox meetings as an opportunity to look your best and make an impact.
Here are some easy ways to improve your video conferencing without shelling out the big bucks for a full-fledged recording studio:
- Set up two-point lighting in your home office or workspace. This is not as complicated as it may sound. As the name suggests, two-point lighting requires two light sources that point at the subject from opposing directions. Snag a few extra lamps from around the house and be sure they both have the same color bulbs. Set one up right behind your webcam and the other behind you for lighting that illuminates your face without overwhelming brightness or obstructing shadows.
- Choose a LAV microphone over your computer’s built-in system. Lavalier mics sound 100X better than your computer’s mic without breaking the bank. You can pick up a LAV microphone for less than $50 on Amazon. You can even buy smartphone-friendly attachments if you prefer to connect to meetings over the phone. Do your best newscaster impersonation and clip your LAV onto a shirt or lapel close to your mouth. These mics are omnidirectional and pick up sound from every direction so your fellow participants will be able to hear you loud and clear.
- Broadcast in high definition. Visual Learning Solutions offers live recording services and uses Open Broadcaster Software to mix camera, graphics, macros, and more. Use advanced software to improve video and sound quality, turning a “normal conference call” into a broadcast-quality presentation.
We hope these tips help you embrace remote working solutions with ease and confidence. If you need help updating your training materials, creating an online course, or navigating the world of video while you’re away from the office, reach out to the team at Visual Learning Solutions today!
