7 Ways to Improve Executive Presence in Your Video Frame

What immediately conveys Executive Presence (EP) when you show up on video? It's how you appear in your video frame.?

I started improving how I appeared in my video frame during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was interviewing on morning TV shows more frequently to discuss our children's books in the Whisper from Noelle Series. The show's producer reinforced the importance of how you look when you're a talking head on a program.?

For TV appearances, adhering to the advice of the show producer not only enhances your EP and the confidence you exude when you speak but it also ensures a smooth process for the show producer. Her words resonated with me, “If there's a guest who understands how to present themselves in the frame and I don't have to spend time prepping, then I'll ask that guest back on the show.” Her guidance not only boosted my confidence but also assured me I was well-prepared for the show.

Here are some of the points the show producer shared that were easy to incorporate into my video frame and which I now use to help my clients when prepping them for TV or video presentations:

The Rule of Thirds

Position your face at one of the intersections of the imaginary grid, dividing the screen into thirds. You can also place yourself in the middle third to balance the composition and ensure your face is prominently displayed. Proper placement using the rule of thirds also aligns with the standard aspect ratio of television screens, making you more visually appealing to viewers.

Eye Level

Another crucial aspect the show producer emphasized is maintaining the correct eye level. Ensuring the camera is at or slightly above eye level can create a natural and engaging perspective. Remember, on video, the camera is your audience. By looking at the camera, you can effectively connect, land, and engage with your viewers, thereby enhancing your executive presence.?

For example, if you're using a laptop, raise it to eye level with a monitor stand. This will prevent you from looking down or up at the camera, which can make you seem less confident and not engaged.

Headroom

Leave some space above your head to avoid a cramped appearance. One of the most significant issues I frequently see is executives being too low in the frame. First, when you sit low, you look smaller, and you have less of a presence. When you're seated higher, you have greater EP. Of course, I always try to match my position and headroom space with the TV show's host. If it's a video panel, the producer should try to have all participants have the same headroom. Being higher in the frame means plenty of room to run a "Lower Third" across your chest with your name, title, and company information.

Background

Be mindful of your background and how it interacts with your positioning. I prefer to use a natural setting in my office, with my bookcase and several of the books I've written in the background. I have a large book poster on my wall with a couple of certificates. Whether it's art, a fireplace, family photos, books, etc., your background should represent you and your brand.?

When it comes to your background, remember that less is more. A clutter-free background, whether it's a natural setting in your office or a customized company virtual background, can help you maintain a professional and distraction-free environment. Instead of a cluttered background, opt for a minimalist setting with a solid color or a subtle pattern. This will draw attention to your face and prevent distractions, thereby enhancing your executive presence.

I highly recommend not using a blurred background for any of your meetings or appearances. A blurred background may make your audience ask, "Why the hidden background? Is there something to hide?" Or it may project that you’re blurry and not thinking clearly, which is the opposite of EP.

Clothing

The colors you wear say a great deal about you. Even though black can signal strength, authority, and elegance, in some cultures, it represents grieving or mourning. I recommend solid colors like blues, reds, and greens for TV. However, green is not an acceptable color if you're in front of a green screen.

You should also avoid busy patterns or prints that can be distracting on camera and create a fuzzy look rather than a crisp, clean image.

Body Language

Your body language is a powerful communicator. When you're in the video frame, pay special attention to your posture and the position of your shoulders, which should be down and back. Good posture also aids in better breathing. The way you hold your chin matters. Is it up for confidence or down toward your chest, protecting your neck from attack??

Your eyes will tell a story about how you feel. Are you able to make direct eye contact with the camera, or do your eyes dart around looking for an exit? Plus, your blink rate can also show your level of nerves. The average, normal blink rate is about 20 blinks per minute. Being aware of these cues can help you maintain control and project the right image to your audience.?

Micro-Expressions

Your face flashes micro-expressions within 1/10 to 1/25 of a second. You cannot do much to stop your brain from firing signals that lead to these quick expressions. However, if you're breathing properly and feel relaxed, there will be less tension in the face, especially the mouth, where compression, pursing, lip pursing, and mouth incongruencies occur.

Following these helpful guidelines can increase your EP, positioning you as the expert as you engage your audience in all your video appearances.

What are you doing in your video frame to demonstrate EP and confidence?

BONUS: Data Science for Marcom Pros with Dr. Alex Sévigny

In case you missed it on the DM Show, special guest Dr. Alex Sévigny discusses how marketing and communications professionals can apply data science principles to their strategy, content, and campaigns by quantifying media narratives with natural language processing or spotting emerging trends with a time series analysis. He also covers the complex relationship between data collection, ethics, and AI and how to manage it responsibly.