Stuart Jones on how to get better lighting for your content

Have you ever felt like a piece of education was targeted right at you? For me, it was never more clear than during our recent workshop about getting better lighting in any environment with Stuart Jones of Canvas.

He shared these 4 things that the lighting on your content communicates (and he brought receipts!)

Competence

Though we all know the danger of judging a book by it’s cover, we still do it. Including 70% of recruiters who admit to having rejected a candidate due to a bad LinkedIn photo. The way your content looks on your website, social media, or just your webcam communicates your competence, whether or not it actually has any bearing on what you know or the quality of your work. 

Care

Stuart shared the difference between these two photos of vacation rentals. We all know of the rentals we’d prefer just based on the difference in lighting. If someone has put care into getting photos taken, it gives the impression that they’ll also take care of all the other pieces as well. 

Trustworthiness

Of course it would be ideal for a client to get to know you to discover what a great human you are, but that takes time and when a new client is scouring the internet, they are moving quickly as they scan Google results like a Tinder profile. Good lighting on your photos, content, and video calls gets you through the first door. In an age when the internet gives us options on options, reduce the friction for your clients by putting your best lit foot forward. 

Value

Lighting is an investment, either because you spend actual money on getting a great light or because you took time to learn about what lighting works best for your camera and content and then execute. This investment pays off in letting your clients know that you value them and the work you do for them. 

‍

Of course great lighting doesn’t actually make you a great person, but it can help showcase what a great person you are without the distraction of mixed light temperatures or blurry content. 

Watch Stuart’s informative (and, of course, well lit) workshop on getting better looking content no matter what environment you’re in here and find out more about Canvas here.