BIZNEWS & ADVICE

DAN MOYANE is a News Anchor for eNCA and Chairman of AceCube PR

LIKE A PRO

- looking and sounding good on digital channels

By Dan Moyane

We now live in a world that is increasingly reliant on using digital channels and platforms to communicate. We work from home. We study from home. Our ‘new normal’ uses virtual and remote communication on several digital platforms - and how you use these are important.

As a television news anchor, I have observed that many people are unaware that it is important to look and sound good on digital channels and platforms. The fact that you are working from home does not mean you must show up anyhow. In fact, you need to remember that you are WORKING, albeit from home.

Respect yourself, your colleagues, and the viewers, and show up decently. It is essential that you should look good and professional, whether you are chairing a team meeting, facilitating a webinar, talking to a client, or doing a television interview.

The essentials include ensuring that your appearance, the lighting, the background, your positioning, and sound are all optimum. This helps to avoid distractions that will take away from your delivery. Many people think the device they are using will do the magic by itself. Yes, you may have the best smart phone, laptop, or PC, but how you use it and set it appropriately will enable you to land your messages properly.

Dress for your role

You need to be aware of what you are wearing, especially from the waist up. You should avoid wardrobe that is not befitting of your professional role. So, dress properly, and if you are wearing jewellery, keep it simple. For people who apply make-up, minimal is sufficient.

Do not loosen your language