How To Create a Professional Zoom Background (aka Home Content Studio with High-Quality Audio and Video)
My Home Content Studio Setup
What You Actually Need
Okay, so first things first, I feel like I have to hit you with a big ol’ caveat right off the bat.
For 8 years of running my consulting business—yep, 8—I did NOT have a fancy, high-tech, swoon-worthy audio and video and lighting setup in my office.
In fact, I was using shared coworking spaces in Toronto for many years and building my consulting business out of a 1 bedroom apartment for many of the past 8 years.
What I am trying to get at is that creating a home content studio is a "nice to have," not a "need to have" for most early stage business owners and online creators.
Don’t feel like this will be the secret sauce to landing more clients or a fast track to becoming a millionaire.
But, wow. When I tell you it's been a long time goal to make these upgrades—oh my gosh. It was always on my to do list, but I never got around to it.
Anyone else have tasks like that that keep getting bumped to ‘next month’?
However, now that it’s done, I can say that it's SO worth it. 🙌
Especially when your clients and colleagues start saying things like, “Your video is ridiculously clear—what camera are you using?!” or “Can you send me a list of your setup? I NEED this!!”
THAT stuff is a total confidence booster.
I mean, it felt like my proudest teaching moment when I taught a business course at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and their biggest questions were about my equipment.
Forget about the amazing Marketing and Online Growth content that I spent hours teaching them so they can have a successful nutrition business—I had a crowd of note-takers asking, “How do you get your setup to look like THAT?”
The real reason that I upgraded everything this year was because I have started working with bigger clients, booking more speaking gigs, and producing content that I wanted to feel as polished and value-packed as possible.
I knew my scrappy, bare-minimum setup just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Especially when I reviewed a high level training I delivered on Zoom and was met with this image as I watched the recording.
I was disappointed in myself!
Where it all began.
Rewind to when I first decided I needed to upgrade…
I didn’t even know where to start. I went down about a million rabbit holes. 🐇
Can I DIY this? Do I even have the tech know-how to make it happen? Should I hire someone? The overwhelm was REAL.
I reached out to Darius Bashar, a total pro who runs a business called Dream Zoom. And while his work looked amazing, his prices stretched just a little beyond what I was willing to spend at that moment. (Side note, if it fits in your budget, Darius is absolutely worth hiring—I’d recommend him 100% and know him personally.)
But here’s the thing—after some brainstorming, I realized my husband Dave had SO much video equipment from back when he worked as a wedding videographer. 🎥✨ We decided to figure it out ourselves. And we did.
Big shoutout to Alan Cassinelli from the ExitFive Community of B2B marketers. I threw up a desperate post in the ExitFive Community about feeling so over my messy, uninspiring home office space and his post literally was the answer to my prayers! Thank you, Alan.
Not gonna lie, it wasn’t all smooth sailing to piecemeal this together.
There were hours of trial and error, moments when we thought we bought the wrong gear, and tears. Yes, I cried because I found this overwhelming.
Anyone else?
Just want to know my gear list? If yes, here it is. This is the TL;DR of it all.
These are NOT affiliate links, and I don’t make a dime if you copy my setup—I’m just rooting HARD for you as your Online Marketing Bestie to make this upgrade if you’re ready.
Camera Lens
Razer Key Light Chroma All-in-One Lighting Kit (I snagged these at 75% off—don’t feel like you need these exact ones at full price)
Backlight (I sometimes get creative and throw colorful paper over it for fun vibes 🎨)
Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable
Power Supply Adapter
USB-C to USB Adapter
Standing Desk Converter (sits on my existing desk that I’ve had forever)
This is what it looks like from my vantage point:
And here’s what you see, when I’m on Zoom with you!
Final Thoughts…
In doing this upgraded setup, I wanted something functional and professional, but I didn’t go completely Pinterest-perfect because (a) we may not stay in this house forever, and (b) my office still doubles as Dave’s closet. 😂
Even so, the level-up has been a game-changer. My weekly Zoom meetings feel way more polished, I don’t have awkward shadows on my face, and every time I hit “record” for content, I know it’s gonna look AND sound really good for my amazing clients (they deserve the best!).
Here I am, ridiculously happy in my (finally finished) home content studio.
I also need to shout out Kevin Shen (Founder of Dream Studio) for his incredible YouTube tutorials on home studio setups.
If you need extra inspiration, check him out—he seriously saves lives. He’s worked with some of my absolute faves—Jessica Lakey, Tiago Forte, and My First Million.
One more thing…
Remember, this process is going to look different for you, at whatever stage of business growth you’re at. Perhaps your only upgrade this year is getting a better microphone, and that’s excellent.
Make it work for your space, your budget, and your style. You don’t need to drop crazy cash all at once, especially if the budget doesn’t allow for it this year!
Also… If you’re on this same mission, tell me about it! I’d LOVE to hear your content studio success stories. Drop me a DM over on Instagram.
Good luck, visionary!
And while I have your attention, thank YOU for taking time out of your busy day to read this blog and to trust that I have something valuable to share with you!
To learn more about how I can support your Business & Marketing Growth Goals, click here.
*p.s. If you tell me ‘the blog sent you’ I’ll share a special discount code with you for 15% off any coaching package.