In a world where so many people are working remotely, Zoom meetings are now commonplace. The number of Zoom users has exploded from 10 million users at the end of 2019 to more than 300 million just four months later!
Virtual meeting software has been around since the 1990’s and the ability to add a custom background began the summer of 2016. So why aren’t more people leveraging branded backgrounds when there is so much opportunity to build more brand awareness? Trillion has been designing tasteful branded Zoom and virtual backgrounds for our clients, and many are enjoying the benefits.
Think back to when someone visited your physical office space for a meeting. They were exposed to your brand’s logo and visual identity in many ways. During most virtual meetings, however, the brand and its key touchpoints go missing. That’s where a branded virtual background comes in. The key to designing a branded virtual background is to keep it tasteful so that it doesn’t become a distraction for others attending the meeting.
Here are three benefits of utilizing a branded Zoom background:
1. Conceal Your Personal/Office Space
Let’s face it, your personal or home office space may not be as neatly organized as you’d like, and it could affect your brand. You might not want to welcome in to see your home office situation. A branded Zoom background can easily solve that challenge for you and your employees, saving time and headaches for all involved. A virtual background allows you to display an image (or video) as your background instead of whatever is naturally behind you. You can even use photographs of nicely decorated office space as your virtual background and then improve it by adding a touch of your brand identity.
2. Build Brand Recognition and Trust
Showing your brand can be especially beneficial when you are on a meeting or webinar with many participants. It could be as simple as your brand colors or logo in a step-and-repeat pattern. In Zoom meetings, people who are on camera receive priority in being displayed. If you are on a virtual meeting with many others, you and your brand (via your branded Zoom background) can be prominently positioned for all meeting participants to see it.
3. Create a Unique Visual Presence
A branded Zoom virtual background does not need to consist of just your logo and brand colors. At Trillion we like to think creatively. Consider making your branded Zoom background a color pattern, or instead present relevant brand power words, product images, interior spaces, or even photographs that are connected to your brand. They can be fun, whimsical, serious or promotional. Use the space strategically, or consider rotating more than one background during the meeting.
Best practices when using a virtual background in Zoom
When creating and using your Zoom virtual background there are a few best practices that you should follow to ensure you and your virtual background look their best.
- Lighting should be bright. Using external lights is a good idea or set up your meeting place in a well-lit room. Good lighting will create contrast between you and the background and help reduce the distracting halo-effect that you’ve probably noticed in past meetings. Avoid having windows at your back so you don’t present a dark silhouette.
- Create your virtual background at a resolution of 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high. This is a 16×9 ratio that’s a standard setting in Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms. Your graphic designer can save the background as an RGB .jpg file. This file format will provide the best-looking virtual background, especially if it’s a photograph.
- Try to remain stationary. When using a virtual background, remaining somewhat still will help reduce any odd halo-effects. Anytime your web-cam sees movement (color changes), it could affect how your virtual background is presented. Avoid setting up for your meeting where people might walk behind you. Even shadow movement near you can trigger odd virtual noise in your Zoom background. And ensure your computer or camera are also stationary instead of on your lap.
Our background is in making our clients look better!
Zoom’s goal is to make Zoom meetings better than in-person meetings. It’s a bold statement but it is fast becoming a reality on desktop, tablets, and mobile devices. And even more so for those utilizing a properly branded background.
