Virtual keynotes are NOT going away, so don’t be boring! If you’ve been just hanging out doing the keynotes in front of your computer with a bookshelf in the background, or worse, a FAKE background, you need to step it up.

You probably already have of this stuff, like a computer and video camera, so here’s some other stuff to add it to make it a production. I’ve been doing them for 9 months now, and I’m getting GREAT feedback . . . because my videos look great and I’m bringing some flare to the event. My virtual keynotes and my emcee events look like productions. Sure you can book a virtual stage for about $400 or $500 an hour to go someplace and tape it, but you can also save your money by buying these tools. And they don’t break the bank!

Here’s the tools you need for a fun virtual keynote that looks great.

For broadcasting/recording your keynote or master of ceremonies event:

• Main computer – you should already have this. Even my grandmother has one.
• Video camera – DO NOT USE THE CAMERA ON YOUR COMPUTER. Seriously! You can do more with an attached video camera (wider shots, different lighting, zooming in and out). The Canon Vixia HF800 was recommended. I already owned this, but you can pretty much connect any camera to your computer as long as it has the outputs (many of them do, you just haven’t noticed). I’ve even used a Cannon still camera that has video capabilities.
• Connect your camera to your computer with a  High Speed HDMI to Mini HDMI Cable (Mini HDMI to HDMI) 25 feet long (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H4Y71M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)  AND an Audio/video capture card HDMI to USB to (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089VWHGJH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
• Mic – I have a lav mic (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086D439F8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and a handheld mic (https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/atr2100-usb). Both work great BUT the mic on my computer is so good, that I haven’t really needed to use one of these mics much.
• Lights. Forget ring lights! Get some good lights that can shine down overhead and not have glasses glare! I bought HPUSN – hyper photography & utility Solution lights.  https://www.amazon.com/HPUSN-Professional-Photography-Continuous-Reflectors/dp/B07NBP6D98
• Ethernet cable so you can have your internet go directly into your computer and NOT be wireless. You MAY need an Ethernet hub with a mini usb if you don’t have an ethernet port but do have a mini usb port like me.

For the background of your keynote or master of ceremonies event:

• PVC pipe – forget expensive stands, just use lightweight pvc pipe to frame your “stage.”
• Material – go to JoAnn’s fabrics and get some fabric to drape over the pvc pipe.
• Projector – I bought a used, old one for $40 and I project the client’s logo behind me from a powerpoint slide. I have the slide on a (very) old computer. I’m sure you have one laying around somewhere. They have all the ports you need.

Additional stuff you may want for your keynote or master of ceremonies event:

• Standup desk – okay, it’s a half standup desk that sits on top of your desk. Very cool. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KFWJFVH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Separate Monitor – any monitor you have laying around will work .  just so you can see the chat box better and aren’t trying to find it on your computer screen.
• Bar stool AND small couch. When I’m the master of ceremonies, I usually have lots of time between keynote sessions, so I can sit on the couch and make notes, or sit on the barstool when I’m about to go on “stage.”

These seems like a lot of stuff, but you probably already a lot of it already, and most of the things you will buy are pretty cheap.  So put a few bucks into this set up and you’ll look great. I’ve made that money back many, many times over with my virtual keynotes and virtual master of ceremony events. You can too.

And as always, I’m happy to chat with anyone who would like some more clarification.

Jan

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Funny Keynote Speaker