Hey there, Quick update: I’m hosting Cooking with AI (Live!) — a walkthrough of four easy recipes to get started using AI:

✅ Keeping up with industry trends using ChatGPT Tasks
​✅ Effortless meeting prep with Deep Research
​✅ Daily mind dump for mental clarity using NotebookLM
​✅ Upgrading your Zoom background with ChatGPT image generation

Come see how each one works in practice and get ideas for how to fit them into your own workflow.

Anyone can attend live for free, and paid subscribers will receive the full recording. Hope to see you there!

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Let's be clear: Leveling up your Zoom background isn't a must for everyone. At the most basic level, having clear audio and basic lighting is far more important than a fancy setup. In fact, I worked for years without upgrading my background at all, and I don’t judge others for not upgrading theirs either. It’s their home, and comfort matters.

However, for those trying to build trust quickly or project a sense of presence, your background can act as a signal. For certain individuals (such as those leading a team, pitching to a client, or building credibility in their field), a thoughtfully chosen background can support their goals and build instant trust.

With that in mind, let’s walk through three levels of Zoom background upgrades, from free digital quick fixes to full-on custom setups, including the pros, cons, and costs of each:

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Baseline Setup: The Essentials

Cost: Under $200
​Effort: Minimal
​Best for: Everyone working remotely

Before you worry about what’s in your background, it’s important to nail the essentials: clear audio and basic lighting. These are non-negotiables for being understood and creating a comfortable experience for anyone on the other side of the screen.

Start here:

• Audio: Use a dedicated mic or quality headset to reduce background noise and echo. Your voice should be clear and consistent.
• Lighting: Sit facing a window for natural light or use a simple ring light to brighten your face. Avoid backlighting (like a window directly behind you) that puts your face in shadow.

These simple upgrades make a big difference.

My Setup: I started with a wired HyperX gaming headset and a cheap $25 ring light from Amazon. That setup worked great for years. Honestly, even though I have much fancier equipment now, I still frequently default to using a HyperX headset (though now wireless) due to its reliability, comfort, and ease of use.

If you’re just starting out or want to keep things simple, these essentials will give you the biggest impact with the least effort.

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Level 1: Digital Backgrounds

Cost: Free
​Effort: Minimal
​Best for: Quick upgrades, minimal setup, shared or temporary workspaces

Digital backgrounds are the easiest and fastest way to upgrade your video presence. Zoom, Google Meet, and other platforms offer built-in options, or you can upload your own image or video. Think of it as wallpaper for your virtual office.

Done well, a digital background can create a clean, cohesive presence, even if you're working from your kitchen table or a cluttered spare room.

But done poorly? It can be more distracting than helpful (think glitchy edges, blurry outlines, or mismatched lighting).

To make it work:

• Avoid high-detail or busy images that clash with your video feed
• Use a plain backdrop or green screen for better separation
• Match the lighting in your digital image with your real lighting for a more natural feel

💡 Pro tip: If you want your background to better match your lighting, space, and needs, check out this Idea Kitchen guide on using AI tools like ChatGPT to create custom virtual backdrops tailored to you.

My Setup: Unfortunately, this wasn't an option for me because the feature didn't exist back when I needed it. However, I've been recently trying out this feature more, and the technology has come a long way. I also love being able to create themed looks for team celebrations, events, or just for fun.

Pros:

• Easiest and fastest to implement
• Hides distractions instantly
• Lets you easily change things up

Cons:

• Can look artificial or glitchy
• May not work well without strong lighting or a plain background

If you need a quick upgrade, a well-designed digital background is a great start.

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Level 2: Updating Your Real-Life Space

Cost: Under $2,500
​Effort: Moderate
​Best for: Dedicated workspaces, client-facing roles, remote leaders

If you have a consistent place where you take video calls, updating your real-life background can be one of the best investments you make in your remote presence. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. A few intentional touches can go a long way.

Consider adding:

• A shelf or plant to add depth
• Consistent lighting, such as a softbox light
• Upgraded camera setup, such as switching from a built-in webcam to a DSLR for a more natural blur
• A teleprompter setup, allowing for direct eye contact with the camera
• Accent lighting (like LED strips or color washes) to add warmth
• Personal touches that showcase your personality or interests, such as books, framed photos, or hobby-related items

This option allows your presence to feel real without being overly polished.

My Setup: A few years ago, I took the Dream Studio Lite course (highly recommend!) and gave my workspace a serious upgrade. I added a side desk with an overhead camera for easily sharing hand-sketched ideas, upgraded to a Canon camera, and brought in the Elgato teleprompter for smoother delivery. I layered in multiple lights and built a background that featured my company logo and a curated shelf of my favorite work books. The result was a setup that felt both polished and personal, and made me feel so much more confident on client calls and while teaching.

Pros:

• Avoids the glitchiness of digital backgrounds
• Builds trust and credibility on camera
• Easy conversation starter

Cons:

• Requires a dedicated space for consistency
• Much more costly in both time and money

If you take a lot of video calls and want to look professional without feeling artificial, updating your real-life background is a solid middle-ground option.

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Level 3: Creating a Custom Space

Cost: $2,500+
​Effort: High
​Best for: Public-facing professionals, content creators, long-term remote workers

If you’re on camera regularly, whether you’re leading workshops, hosting podcasts, selling to clients, or creating content, investing in a fully customized video call setup can seriously elevate your presence.

This could mean transforming a guest room into a home office studio, designing a branded set, or working with a designer to craft a space that perfectly aligns with your brand and communication style.

Custom spaces may include:

• Statement walls or backdrops with intentional texture and color
• Built-in shelving or professionally styled backgrounds for depth

My Setup: I converted our dining room into a new office space when our baby moved into the office I had above. It's still a work in progress, but so far, I've added a custom bookcase, doors, lighting, and more. It's taken more time than I wanted, but I think it will be worth it in the end

Pros:

• Highly polished and professional appearance
• Makes a strong impression on clients, teams, or followers
• Completely personalized workspace

Cons:

• Requires more space
• Higher cost and effort to design and maintain

A custom setup isn’t for everyone. But if video is core to how you work, it can be a powerful asset that supports your personal brand and elevates how others perceive you.

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Your Zoom background is more than just what’s behind you. It’s part of how you show up. Whether you choose a simple digital image, update your existing space, or go all-in on a custom setup, each level is a chance to be intentional about the impression you leave.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right approach is the one that aligns with your role, your goals, and the way you want to present yourself in a digital world.

In a remote-first world, the little things can send big signals, and your background is one of the easiest ways to reinforce credibility and presence. Whether you stay at the baseline or climb the full ladder, upgrading intentionally can make all the difference.

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In Case You Missed It

​The Best Benefit You’re Not Offering (Yet)
​It’s not a raise or a promotion, but it might be even more effective. Last week, I shared one of the best ways to retain top talent.

​AI Recipe: Upgrade Your Zoom Background​
In a recent Idea Kitchen article, I shared how to use ChatGPT's new image-generation features to upgrade your Zoom background. If you're interested in leveling up, highly recommend checking it out.

​Cooking with AI (Live!)​
Don't forget to join me this Friday for a live demo of the AI recipes I published in March. If you're looking for a way to catch up on new AI features quickly or searching for practical use cases, this is for you. No jargon. No fluff. See you there!

Work Forward Society Want to meet others who do work differently? Join us in making 2025 your year of less meetings and more real work! Join The Work Forward Society →

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What did you think of this issue? What do you hope to see in the next one? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this. Hope you have a lovely day! Marissa ​Founder, Remote Work Prep​ P.S. Did you enjoy this issue? Share the article with a friend. Struggling with a remote work problem? Book a coaching call. If you liked this, consider supporting this free newsletter by leaving a testimonial. ​

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