Guest post by Shayne Tilley, Head of Marketing at 99designs.
Even though many businesses are starting to think about getting back to the office, for many, remote working is here to stay – at least for a while. This also means that the tools we’ve come to rely on during lockdown are likely to stick around as well.
In a time where video conferencing remains a major source of personal and professional connection, it has also become an avenue for self-expression. So, it’s no surprise that one feature of Zoom has come to represent the isolation zeitgeist: virtual backgrounds have become as significant to our lockdown identity as the ringtone was back in 2005.
How can you leverage this handy feature in your next call, whatever it may be? Think about who is going to be on the other side of your screen, and let your background reflect the first impression you want to make in different scenarios:
The workaholic
If you’re lucky enough to have been working from home at this time, you’ll have become an absolute pro at maneuvering your laptop around to avoid catching rogue pets, children, partners or laundry in the background of your video calls.
But even if you’re desperate to get back to the office, many businesses are embracing new flexible working policies having seen their teams in (remote) action during this crisis. Work life may never look quite the same again, and it’s safe to say video conferencing is here to stay.
However, it’s worth thinking about what it will be like when some people are at home and others are in the office: suddenly, we won’t all be in the same boat anymore. While the chaos of home life can be wonderful (in its own special way!) as we transition back into a more familiar work environment, you can leverage virtual backgrounds to create a serene, professional image wherever you are. Take a look at these backgrounds from West Elm for inspiration: No one needs to know you’re in the laundry closet.
The job hunter
Standing out during the recruitment process is challenging enough at the best of times but can be even harder in a remote context. So, with social distancing measures still limiting our physical interactions, your Zoom background can be a useful tool while job hunting.
You can take a variety of approaches here, but what’s important is that whatever background you choose – physical or virtual – it is a part of your image from the minute the interview starts. Bear in mind that thousands of people have kept themselves amused during lockdown by rating video call backgrounds – this is definitely something people notice!
Do you love a particular artist, or want to hint at some of your skills or interests as a conversation starter? Think of a way to represent these visually in your background. Be creative, but don’t go overboard and keep it professional – you want to be memorable for the right reasons!
The side hustler
Many of us – 54% in fact – have been using this time to start a new business venture. If you’ve grabbed the opportunity to finally get cracking on that side hustle you’ve been dreaming about for a while now, good for you!
Whatever your side hustle or passion project might be, video calls are likely to be an effective way to connect with suppliers and potential business partners but also offer you creative new ways to engage with customers. Faking it ‘till you make it is par for the course when starting your own business, and having a slick, branded Zoom background can be a great way to convey an official and professional image, even when in reality, you’re operating out of your bedroom.
Created a logo? Great! Add it to the corner of your virtual background so it can be viewed in all its glory. Alternatively, you could create faux signage on the “wall” behind you, creating the illusion of an office. Whatever you choose, try to consider the tone you want to convey about yourself as a brand – it will pay off in the long run.
The storyteller
From conferences, trivia nights and birthday drinks, to board meetings, online dance classes and everything in between, we’ve learnt to do nearly everything remotely over the past couple of months. The joy in virtual backgrounds is that they help us forge a little more human connection in every digital interaction and give people an opportunity to create a personal story tailored to each situation.
Just because we’re not together, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the effort to personalise experiences. And if you’re looking for inspiration, 99designs has you covered with 20 free Zoom backgrounds created by its global community of (well-practised) remote creative freelancers.
