Before you begin recording, it is important to make sure your recording environment is conducive to recording high-quality video and audio. If you appear in the video, you must also consider your clothing.
You also want to think about how you want to present your information and the type of content you want to include. Understanding what your content will be in advance will help you decide which recording option to choose.
If you need to record your whole screen, it’s a good idea to tidy up your desktop a bit. Tone down any distracting desktop wallpaper, maybe clean up the files that are showing, and be sure to turn off notifications.
Recording equipment and environment
Before you get started, make sure your equipment and environment are ready for recording:
•Audio: For audio recordings, you need either a built-in microphone or an external microphone. If your computer does not have a built-in microphone or if you are recording in a location with significant background noise, use a headset with a microphone to eliminate ambient noise.
•Video: For recordings that include video, you need a microphone and a webcam. Make sure your webcam rests at or slightly above eye-level and you are centered in the video capture area.
•Sound: Adjust and test your microphone so that you sound clear and audible. Try to keep microphones 6 to 8 inches from your mouth to avoid picking up breathing. If you are using a headset for recording, make sure that the microphone is roughly one inch from the corner of your mouth. Do an audio recording test to ensure that the audio sounds clear during playback.
•Lighting: Use bright, even lighting whenever possible. Appropriate lighting is critical to obtaining a high-quality video for your presentation. Illuminate yourself and reduce glare from the monitor by using a lamp. You can also use background lighting, such as ceiling mounted lights, but make sure they are not as bright as your main light source.
•Background: Avoid using a plain white wall or a wall with small or busy patterns. Whenever possible, use a solid color background. If necessary, hang a solid color sheet as a backdrop. Videos with a solid-color backgrounds compress cleanly and efficiently.
•Reduce ambient noise: Turn off unneeded appliances or electronics that may create ambient noise. Keep your recording space quiet, turn off your phone, and if others are working in the area, let them know you will be recording.
•Clean up recording area: Make sure to clean up your recording area and remove any clutter or items that may distract your audience.
•Clean up desktop: If you are recording your entire screen, clean up and organize your desktop so you can easily find what you need. Ensure the background is not too distracting. Close windows that you won’t be using in the demonstration. Finally, turn off notifications to avoid distracting yourself and your audience.
Clothing
If you appear in the video, wear solid dark or light-colored clothing. Avoid wearing clothing with stripes, busy or small patterns, bright colors, or contrast (solid white, solid black). Also, avoid large jewelry that may distract your audience.
Presentation content
Take time to consider your audience and the primary objectives of your presentation when creating content:
•Analyze audience: Consider your audience when creating your content.
•Define objectives: Make sure to define the primary objectives of the presentation before creating your content. What do you want your audience to get out of your presentation? What should your audience be able to do or know after viewing your presentation?
•Content: Consider what type of content you want to include in your presentation: video of yourself talking, slides, a demonstration of how to perform a specific task, or all the above.
•Length: Determine the length that will best fit your presentation needs. Generally, shorter presentations are more likely to keep your audience engaged. Also, the shorter the presentation is, the smaller its file size.
•Create a script, outline, or storyboard: Creating a script, outline, or storyboard for your presentation will help keep you on topic. Make sure to revisit your objectives as you organize your content.
•Use slides effectively: When using slides in your presentation, keep in mind that viewers may be watching the recording at a reduced resolution.
•Solve problems in advance: If you will work through problems, which is typical in math, science, and business courses, solve them before your presentation. Doing problems in advance reduces the risk of errors and the time spent calculating the answer.
•Copyright: Consider copyright issues when using visuals and other materials.
Here are some best practices that will help you record a professional quality presentation.
•Practice presentation to avoid verbal pauses: Read your presentation aloud a few times prior to recording. Practicing should help you reduce verbal pauses such as "um" when recording your presentation.
•Avoid reading slides: Do not read slides to your audience. It will quickly bore your audience if you are reading something they can read for themselves.
•Do not move around excessively: Minimize excessive movements that may be distracting to your audience, such as twirling your hair or fidgeting with an item in your recording area.
•Engage your audience: To keep your audience's attention, your goal is to be as engaging as you would be if you were presenting to a live audience. Speak in a conversational tone, smile, and vary your intonations.
•Don't worry about mistakes: Don't restart the recording for mistakes. You can continue as normal and bridge the mistake by pausing and repeating yourself (if you feel it is necessary) and moving forward. Alternatively, you can pause the recording, restart it, and start over from where you made the mistake. Once the recording is finished and uploaded to a presentation on Mediasite, you can use the editor to remove the mistake.
•Use strong voice inflection: If you are not using video in
your presentation, make sure to use strong voice inflection and to repeat key
points in the presentation for emphasis.