It’s that time of year again, when Randy Ford and I sit down and share the best and worst of speaking from the year. We share our own wins and sins, along with those of other speakers. The DNC took place in Chicago, so, of course, we had to pick on the public speakers in our hometown.

How you sound on virtual meetings (or interviews!) is as important as how you look. Clunky, distracting, or noisy sound can kill a good impression and muddle your message. Check out these 3 easy tips for sounding better on Zoom, and see which microphone and riser I recommend to sound your best!

Yes, it’s 2023, but it’s worth a look back at some #fails (screw ups) and #follows (things we liked) from 2022. I’m happy to say that neither one of us committed any presenting faux pas this past year. Spoiler alert: midterm callback. :)

It’s okay to be nervous when you present! It’s perfectly normal. It’s your body’s way of telling you, “I care about doing a good job.” [Yes, I know, you would be fine without your body telling you in such a distracting way. Me, too.] The key to manage stage fright: don’t let it overtake you.

In Part 2 of our series, Melissa talks all things webcam. Pro Tip: Your internet connection matters. Charlotte-based photographer Melissa Hollingsworth and I get questions about our webcams all the time – like “What’s the best camera to buy?” Good news! We have some quick fixes and advice. Read on.

If you’re shadowy on Zoom, or your lighting is too harsh (or too weak), I’m here to help you look better in your virtual meetings. The amazing Melissa Hollingsworth from Worthwhile Media sat down with me (on Zoom, natch!) and shared her top tips. Bonus: These are easy, fixes, and budget-friendly. Enjoy!