There's PR power in video backgrounds

We’ve all watched TV interviews or pod simulcasts where someone's face floats in digital space like a poorly edited sci-fi movie. I beg you – don’t be one of those.

Do people really care what I look like on a screen?

The short answer is yes.

Also, your PR agent took care to book you for an interview on a show you know your audience watches. She scored a remote — common in today’s media schedule— so you want to take a couple of minutes and ditch your ketchup and mustard-stained tank top for a nice T-shirt, dab a little makeup to reduce camera shine and set up your shot with good lighting.

An important but often forgotten element before the interview? Your background. In fact, a study from Alberta’s School of Business revealed that more than half of its respondents admitted that they judge people based on their video backgrounds.

So, what will viewers see when they tune into your story? Will the background of your shot make them focus on your floating face instead of what you say?

That would be a problem, and it defeats the hours your public relations rep has spent securing the interview.

Here's the thing about those blur effects —  they put the focus on the wrong thing. You end up looking like someone cut and pasted your face onto a Windows 95 screensaver. When you're trying to get media attention, looking like your head is smeared on a platter doesn’t help your cause.

Here’s what does work: 

• Good: A clean look of your living room or office is fine. Just be sure to clear the clutter. (We do this before on-camera segments for TV, so viewers’ eyes don’t go to monitors or notes on the table instead of the announcers.)

• Better: Sit or stand with a clean wall or bookshelf behind you. Use natural light from a window instead of a filter. If you use a backdrop, show who you are; don’t distract from what you're saying. Reminder: Test your setup before you go live so a plant sitting in back of you doesn’t make the shot look like something’s growing out of your head — I mean, unless it is. 😅

• Best: If you’re an author or spokesperson for a product or service, visit a printer for a simple logoed banner (not too busy) or use your book cover art. They’re portable and you can set them up most anywhere. *Most sports teams use the logoed backdrop/banner method well.

Why looks matter

When journalists and their audiences focus on what you're saying instead of your creepy floating head, you entice customers as well as other media. Look good, sound smart and get invited back.

So ditch the digital doohickeys. Every element viewers see either supports or spoils what you're saying. Your head floating in space undermines your message, so keep your background simple and clear … and don't sabotage yourself with bad tech.

©2025 Gail Sideman, gpublicity, SIDEbar

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