A practical guide for speakers
Photo By: Kaboompics.com
When it comes to delivering technical or scientific content at live online events, pre-recording lectures is often the smart move. It allows the presenter to focus on clarity and timing, removes the risk of technical hiccups, and gives organisers more control over how the content is delivered. At BeThere Global, we frequently manage pre-recording sessions for our clients as part of our full production support.
However, not every event has the budget or time for professionally managed pre-records. In many cases, clients prefer their speakers to record their own content using Zoom (or Teams) and send us the files for enhancement and integration. And while this approach works, the quality of recordings does vary – sometimes dramatically.
So, if you’re planning to record your own presentation, here are some straightforward tips to help ensure your video looks and sounds as polished as your content deserves.
Before recording
- Choose a quiet room with a clean, neutral background – virtual backgrounds are not generally recommended.
- Face a light source (natural light or a ring light or similar). At all costs avoid a strong backlight.
- Use an external microphone or headset for better audio. A decent quality USB microphone can be relatively inexpensive and looks better than wearing headphones.
- Use a good quality webcam (1080p or better), positioned at eye level. If you are using a built in webcam then just sit your laptop on a box or some books to get the camera close to your eyeline – you will be amazed at how much better you look!
- Prepare a clear, well-designed slide deck with minimal text. Many technical lectures by their very nature include incredibly complex visuals; try to simplify where possible and keep slides bold, clean, and easy to follow.
- Embed any videos or images in your slides ahead of time.
- Enable HD video in Zoom settings. (Ask your Zoom administrator for this if not enabled on your account.)
- Select “Record active speaker with shared screen” under Zoom’s recording settings.
- Turn off all notifications (email, chat apps, etc.) before you start.
During the recording
- Record a short test segment to check audio, video, and slides.
- Have a timing device to hand so you can keep track and stay within your allotted presentation time.
- Look into the camera when speaking, not at the screen.
- If you plan to use your cursor to highlight or explain elements on screen, adjust your settings to make the cursor larger or more visible so it’s easy for viewers to follow.
- Speak clearly, with natural tone and pace.
- Share only your presentation window, not your full screen and ensure it is in “Slide Show” mode.
- Enable “Optimize for video clip” and “Share sound” if using media.
After recording
- Trim awkward starts and ends using video editing software.
- Remove long pauses or mistakes.
- Add intro/outro slides, speaker names, or branding.
- Use a transcription service to create subtitles or captions.
- Export as an MP4 file, at least 720p (1080p preferred).
- Add a clear title, description, and speaker info before sharing.
And finally: Even if you’re recording your own content, consider scheduling a rehearsal or dry run with the event team. It’ll give you a better sense of timing and help you identify any potential snags before the real thing.
And of course, if you need support with recording, editing, enhancing, or integrating your recordings into a live or on-demand experience, our BeThere Global team is always on hand to help.
