Free Tool

Zoom Presentation Readiness Checker

Run through this 12-point checklist before every Zoom presentation, webinar, or video call. Lighting, camera, script, audio, and teleprompter — everything covered.

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Camera & Framing
Camera at eye level
Raise your laptop or camera so the lens is level with your eyes. Looking down into a camera makes you appear less confident and authoritative.
Stack books under your laptop, or invest in a laptop stand (~$20). This single change has the biggest impact on perceived professionalism.
Lighting
Light source in front of you
Your key light (window or ring light) should be in front of your face, not behind or to the side. Backlit faces appear as silhouettes.
Sit facing a window for natural light, or place a ring light behind your monitor pointing at your face.
Background
Background is clean or virtual
Your background should be clean, uncluttered, and professional — or use a Zoom virtual background. Messy backgrounds are distracting.
SyncedCue's Zoom background overlay lets you run your teleprompter script as your virtual background — invisible to participants, visible to you.
Try Zoom background teleprompter →
Audio
Microphone tested and clear
Join a test call or record a 10-second clip and play it back. Confirm no echo, background noise, or muffled audio.
Close windows, turn off fans, and use headphones if your built-in mic picks up keyboard noise or echo from speakers.
Script & Teleprompter
Script prepared and loaded
Your talking points, script, or notes are ready and loaded into your teleprompter or notes app.
Load your script into SyncedCue before the call starts. Use the script template library for common presentation types.
Browse script templates →
Teleprompter scroll speed set
If using a teleprompter, test your scroll speed before going live so you're not adjusting mid-presentation.
Run the Speed Tester tool to find your natural WPM, then set SyncedCue to 10% below that for a relaxed pace.
Test your speed first →
Delivery
Eyes level with camera (not screen)
When speaking, look at the camera lens, not at faces on screen. This creates the illusion of direct eye contact for participants.
Place a small arrow sticker or dot next to your camera lens as a reminder to look there when making key points.
One full run-through completed
You've done at least one full practice run with your teleprompter or notes, ideally on video.
Record a 60-second test using SyncedCue's built-in recording before the real session. Watch it back once.
Record a practice run →
Water nearby
Have a glass of water off-camera. Dry mouth mid-presentation is common and avoidable.
Technical
Notifications and Slack silenced
Turn on Do Not Disturb. A notification sound or popup during your presentation is unprofessional and breaks focus.
On Mac: Cmd+Option+Shift+D. On Windows: Start > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
Bandwidth check — close unused tabs
Close video streaming, large downloads, and unnecessary browser tabs before joining. Zoom needs consistent bandwidth.
Run a quick speed test (fast.com) and aim for at least 5 Mbps upload for stable 1080p Zoom video.
Backup plan ready
Know what to do if your connection drops, your screen share fails, or your audio cuts out.
Have your slide deck shared in a Google Drive link in advance, and your phone ready as a backup hotspot.