Healing Time Books Archives - Healing Time Books

Attention Self-Published Authors: Source High Quality Stock Photos from Dreamstime

Hey there, fellow authors! Let’s chat about something that can seriously level up your content game—stock photos. If you’re writing a book that can benefit from visual imagery, running a blog, launching a brand, or just trying to get your message out there, visuals are key. Enter Dreamstime, your new best friend for high-quality stock images.

Here’s why you should consider using stock photos and how they can help you shine.

1. Budget-Friendly and Professional Appeal

Let’s face it, hiring a pro photographer for every single photo shoot is not exactly budget-friendly. Did you know that Dreamstime has a huge range of affordable stock photos that won’t drain your wallet? With flexible pricing options, you can snag stunning visuals without sacrificing your savings.

2. Time-Saving Treasure Trove

Dreamstime has millions of images at your fingertips. Their smart search filters make it super easy to find what you need. You can quickly narrow down results by category, color, or even mood. This means less time scrolling and more time creating beautiful content that resonates with your niche audience.

3. Top-Notch Quality

Nothing screams “amateur” like low-quality images. With Dreamstime, you’re getting access to high resolution photos that look amazing. Whether you’re after vibrant lifestyle shots or sleek business images, you can count on finding visuals that match your stories. After all, your content deserves the best.

4. Diversity Is Key

Every author has their own vibe, and you want your visuals to reflect that in your storybooks and cover art. Dreamstime has an incredible variety of styles and themes, so whether you’re into minimalism, bold colors, or something quirky, you’ll find images that resonate with your unique aesthetic. Imagery helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level.

5. Licensing Made Simple

Image rights can be super confusing, but Dreamstime keeps it straightforward. Take advantage of flexible licensing options that cater to your needs. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered legally, which is a huge plus when you’re building your brand.

6. Always Fresh Content

Staying relevant is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. The great thing about Dreamstime is that they have over 200 million images and fresh images that reflect current trends and seasonal themes are added regularly. So, you can keep your content fresh and engaging, helping you stand out in the crowded digital landscape.

7. Support Creative Talent

When you choose stock photos from Dreamstime, you’re not just getting great visuals; you’re also supporting a community of photographers and artists. This platform is full of creative talent, and by using their work, you’re showcasing unique perspectives that can set your content apart. Plus, you get to be part of that creative community!

Conclusion

In a nutshell, stock photos from Dreamstime are a game changer for young entrepreneurs looking to elevate their content without breaking the bank. With a huge library of high-quality, diverse images, you can find the perfect visuals to connect with your audience and showcase your brand’s personality. So why not give it a shot?

Special Offer! 15 Free images from Dreamstime

Head over to Dreamstime, and start exploring the endless possibilities that stock photos can bring to your entrepreneurial journey! Happy creating!

Self-Publishing Tip: Update Your Book Cover in 8 Easy Steps to Appeal to New Audiences

How to Update Your Cover Quickly on Kindle Direct Publishing

Did you know that you do not have to update the content in your book in order change your book cover if you are publishing through KDP.amazon.com?

In fact, updating your book cover on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can be a crucial step in keeping your book fresh, relevant, and appealing to potential readers. Whether you’re refreshing your brand, making a seasonal update, or correcting a design flaw, a new cover can breathe new life into your book and add excitement to your social media posts.

Here’s a quick guide to help you update your cover efficiently and effectively on KDP.

1. Prepare Your New Cover

When designing your new cover, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Cover Content: In advance, prepare the back cover bullet points. Have an author photo that best represents you (must be print ready – 300 dpi).
Design Elements: Review other books in your book genre to ensure that your new cover aligns with your book’s content and genre. It should be eye-catching and professionally designed.
If you plan to upload your own cover image, follow these guidelines:
- Dimensions and Resolution: KDP recommends a cover size of 2560 x 1600 pixels for optimal quality. The resolution should be print ready (300 dpi) for best results.
File Format: If you plan to upload a ready image of your new book cover be sure to save in JPEG or TIFF formats.

2. Log in to Your KDP Account and access your KDP Bookshelf

Access your KDP account at kdp.amazon.com. Use your Amazon credentials to log in. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one.

Once logged in, navigate to your KDP Bookshelf. This is where all your published and draft books are listed. Find the book for which you want to update the cover.

4. Select the Book which needs a Cover Update and Click “Edit”

Click on the book’s title or the “…” button next to it to open the book details.

Then, either launch the Cover Creator, or click the “Edit eBook Content” button for eBooks or the “Edit Paperback Content” button for paperbacks, depending on which format you’re updating.

5. Update Your Cover

For eBooks: Navigate to the “Cover” section within the “Edit eBook Content” page. Click “Launch Cover Editor” if you want to use KDP’s Cover Creator, or choose “Upload a cover file” to upload your new design directly.
For Paperbacks: Go to the “Cover” section under the “Edit Paperback Content” page. Click “Launch Cover Editor” if you want to use KDP’s Cover Creator, or choose “Upload a cover file” to upload your new design directly.
Add your website or social media if there is space

6. Cover Creator Makes it Easy to Update Your Book

For Ebooks and Paperback or Hard Cover Books: Once you choose your design layout, check that your Title, subtitle and author name on the front cover and spine are correctly spelled.

Back Cover of your Paperback or Hard Cover Books: Next design your back cover: You have additional promotional real estate on the back cover of your paperback or hardcover books. You can add your title/ subtitle, author photo, and some bullet points that describe the key features of your book that are of interest to the reader so they are motivated to buy your book.

If you uploaded a print ready 300 dpi cover image, once your new cover is uploaded, use the preview tools provided by KDP to ensure it looks good in both desktop and mobile views. Correct any formatting issues or discrepancies.

7. Save and Publish

After reviewing, click the “Save and Continue” button to proceed through the remaining sections of the book setup. Check against books in your genre to decide whether to change your pricing. Select worldwide and extended distribution. Review any changes to your book details and pricing on last time.

When you are satisfied that all is in order, click “Publish Your Kindle eBook” or “Publish Your Paperback Book” to finalize the update. Your new cover and pricing will go live on Amazon within 24-72 hours.

Review or Update your KDP Marketing Choices

On the top bar, click on “Marketing.”

Confirm that you have confirmed your selection to participate in the Kindle Select program (auto-renews every 90 days), and you can run a promotion to offer your book for free or at a discounted price for a few days.

8. Promote Your Updated Cover

Once your new cover is live, it’s a good idea to update your marketing materials and inform your audience. Share the updated cover on social media, update your book’s landing page, and consider running a promotional campaign to draw attention to the new look.

Conclusion

Updating your book cover on KDP is a straightforward process that can have a significant impact on your book’s visibility and sales. By making updates from time to time to your book, you can attract new readers and engage your existing audience. Happy publishing!

About the Publisher

Healing Time Books is dedicated to helping authors make the most of today’s digital technologies to publish their works. Our services include assisting authors to self-publish their works as well as offering full service Desktop Publishing, Print and eBook Publishing Services, Website Design and Development, and Marketing Services.

Interested in publishing your own book?

As the world increasingly moves towards online publishing and ebooks, we are here to help authors more easily navigate what can be a confusing process to publish something new. We also assist with converting original printed works into digital format. Rest assured that all copyright and control over the publication is retained by the author.We look forward to working with you on your book. To contact us, please email us at info@healingtimebooks.com.

Book Announcement: STEPS TO NET ZERO by Gary Nahrung

This book equips you with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change in the fight against climate catastrophe.

What is the risk of taking no action? There is a point of no return with dire consequences for our environment.
Translates a complex scientific subject into easy to understand concepts with possible solutions.
Provides a list of practical actions you can take now to effectively reduce CO2 levels.
Available on Amazon.com in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.

Climate change is not a distant threat looming on the horizon anymore; it’s a reality knocking on our doors today. The urgency to address this global crisis has never been greater.

Healing Time Books is thrilled to announce the release of a groundbreaking book that offers practical solutions and hope in the face of climate adversity.

Steps to Net Zero by Gary Nahrung

Practical and effective steps needed to reduce Australia’s domestic Carbon Dioxide (CO2) pollution emissions to near zero before 2050 and help slow climate change

“Steps To Net Zero” by Australian author Gary Nahrung is a relevant addition to the books currently available on climate change. It’s a beacon of actionable strategies, empowering individuals, communities, and nations to embark on the journey towards a sustainable future.

In this timely essay, author Gary Nahrung, a seasoned researcher and environmentalist, presents a comprehensive roadmap towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions, supported by scientific data specifically for Australia, yet also universal in its application. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Gary helps us better understand the complexities of climate science, policy frameworks, and technological innovations, and offers us a clear pathway for reducing our carbon footprint.

What sets “Steps To Net Zero” apart is its accessibility. Gary Nahrung adeptly translates complex concepts into simple, digestible insights, making it a must-read for anyone concerned about the fate of our planet. Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, activist, or concerned citizen, this book equips you with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change.

From renewable energy adoption to sustainable transportation, discussing economic principles and carbon offsetting strategies, “Steps To Net Zero” leaves no stone unturned in exploring diverse approaches to mitigate climate change. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of collective action, underscoring that every individual contribution counts in the fight against climate catastrophe.

As we stand at a critical juncture in human history, “Steps To Net Zero” serves as a rallying cry for decisive action. It inspires us to transcend political divides, overcome inertia, and embrace a shared vision of a resilient, carbon-neutral world.

The author reminds us that we can each take simple yet effective Steps to Net Zero, and inspires us to turn the tide against climate change and together build a sustainable legacy for future generations.

“Steps to Net Zero” is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. Let’s take the first step towards a brighter, greener future!

Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, activist, or concerned citizen, this book equips you with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change.

Healing Time Books - Book Announcement: Steps to Net Zero by Gary Nahrung - Climate Change and CO2 Crisis - available on Amazon.com and Amazon.com.au

Get Your Copy of
Steps to Net Zero by Gary Nahrung

What are your thoughts on the topic?

We encourage you to buy a copy of Steps to Net Zero and share your thoughts on the topic of reducing CO2 to help slow climate change.

Please post a review on Amazon.com, or email the author at garynahrung@gmail.com.

About the Author

Gary Nahrung grew up on a beef cattle grazing ranch in southeast Queensland, Australia. He has deep experience in horticulture sciences research and training, and commercial hydroponics. After he retired, Gary spent time looking into the risks of climate change and options to deal with the increasing unprecedented levels of CO2 levels. As an avid recreational fisherman, he has seen alarming changes in the ocean due to global warming with impact on the coral reefs and fish life.

Gary has used his science background and understanding, his practical problem-solving farming history, and his teaching and training skills to explain climate change and offer clear, workable solutions. He has produced this essay with the hopes of inspiring action and providing a better future for his children and grandchildren, for Australia, and the rest of the world.

About the Publisher

Interested in publishing your own book?

Book Announcement: ‘Bildung’s Roamin’ by Ross Barry Schwartz (paperback) available for purchase on amazon.com

In the vast landscape of literature, certain books transcend traditional genres, inviting readers on a journey that defies categorization. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to an exciting new release that seamlessly blends storytelling, poetry, philosophy and art.

Bildung’s Roamin’ – A Novella of Inquiry and Observation, authored by the talented Ross Barry Schwartz, promises to take readers on a thought-provoking adventure unlike any other.

Bildung’s Roamin’ – A Novella of Inquiry and Observation by Ross Barry Schwartz

At its core, Bildung’s Roamin’ is a testament to the power of the author’s creativity and imagination. Throughout this captivating story and collection of poems and illustrations, Ross Barry Schwartz delves into the depths of human experience, exploring themes of existence, identity, and the search for meaning. The tale serves as a mirror, reflecting back to readers the intricacies of their own lives and the world around them.

What sets Bildung’s Roamin’ – A Novella of Inquiry and Observation apart from other literature is its unique fusion of storytelling, poetry and art. Stunning illustrations by the author breathe life into the words on the page. These visuals, crafted during the writer’s creative process, enhance the storytelling experience, inviting the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world created by the author.

The author cleverly titled his work according to a familiar genre called ‘bildungsroman.’

What is a bildungsroman?

A Bildungsroman is a genre of novel that shows a young protagonist’s journey from childhood to adulthood (or immaturity to maturity), with a focus on the trials and misfortunes that affect the character’s growth.

The term comes from the German words Bildung (“education”, alternatively “forming”) and Roman (“novel”).

A bildungsroman is a growing up or “coming of age” of a naive person who goes in search of answers to life’s questions with the expectation that these will result in gaining experience of the world.
Wikipedia

Bildung’s Roamin’: A fusion of storytelling, poetry and art

One of the most compelling aspects of Bildung’s Roamin’ is its ability to spark introspection and dialogue. As readers journey through its pages, they are prompted to explore new perspectives and invites contemplation.

There is something in this novella for everyone. While grounded in philosophical inquiry, the charming story and poetry contained within its pages are accessible to readers ages 10 and older. Prepare to be captivated and inspired by Ross Barry Schwartz’ new book. We’re certain that Bildung’s Roamin’ will leave an indelible mark on readers around the world.

About the Author

“So here’s the little lady that started this big war.”

That’s what Lincoln said when he met Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The power of compelling writing to expand experience, open doors to new worlds and new ways of thinking, or even shared experience, compels me.

In high school when we read “On Walden Pond,” I was inspired to start this book in hopes of grasping even a little of that wisdom and brilliance. After studying Philosophy/ Anthropology (though really most of what I learned was through the Core Curriculum) at Boston University, I taught English in Busan, South Korea for 2.5 years and in Buenos Aires for 10 months, before “settling down” in gay ol’ New York. I’m what you call Openly Unconventional.
Ross Barry Schwartz, Author @openlyunconventional

Book Launch

Bildung’s Roamin’ – A Novella of Inquiry and Observation by Ross Barry Schwartz is available in full color paperback on amazon.com as of May 15th.

The updated eBook version with full color art woven into the work is also available to order on amazon.com.

Help Bildung’s Roamin’ achieve bestseller status on publication day!

Participate in the book release of Bildung’s Roamin’. You won’t want to miss it. Please purchase Bildung’s Roamin’ by Ross Barry Schwartz in paperback on publication day on Amazon.com. You will be glad you did!

Discounts available when ordering multiple copies of the paperback book for your book club, library, philosophy class.

Please contact info @ healingtimebooks.com.

About Healing Time Books

Healing Time Books is dedicated to helping authors make the most of today’s digital technologies to publish their works. Our services include assisting authors to self-publish their works as well as offering full service Desktop Publishing, Print and eBook Publishing Services, Website Design and Development, and Marketing Services.

Interested in publishing your own book?

As the world increasingly moves towards online publishing and ebooks, we are here to help authors more easily navigate what can be a confusing process to publish something new. We also assist with converting original printed works into digital format.Rest assured that all copyright and control over the publication is retained by the author.We look forward to working with you on your publishing projects. To contact us, please fill email us at info@healingtimebooks.com.

Healing Time Books Publishing and Website Services

If you need help self-publishing your own book, please contact us by filling out our online Publishing Services request form, or by sending an email to info@healingtimebooks.com.

Self Publish Your Book 3 Ways on KDP.Amazon.com

Kindle Digital Publishing (KDP) now offers hardcover books (with a case laminate cover) as an option for authors who self publish their print-on-demand books. Previously Amazon’s KDP only offered paperback books which are not ideal for coffee table / photo feature books.

Over the years many of the authors I have helped publish have wanted to offer a hardcover version but without the expense normally associated with this option. Usually the author would have to order a certain number of books, store and sell them. Now, Amazon’s KDP allows authors to create a hardcover version of their book as a print on demand book! That means, no additional production expenses out of pocket. Amazon does take their usual share of profits, however in exchange they offer a trusted global distribution system to sell all versions of your book: eBooks, paperbacks and now hardcover books, too.

What is Self Publishing?

In case you are considering whether to publish your book, it may be useful to know that self publishing is an avenue of publication of media by its author without the need to involve publisher. The term usually refers to written media, such as books and magazines, either as an ebook or as a physical copy in paperback or hardback using print-on-demand (POD) technology.

Trim Size

Now Amazon offers 16 trim size options for paperback books, and five trim sizes for any book you also wish to offer in hardcover:

5.5 x 8.5”
6 x 9”
6.15 x 9.21”
7 x 10”
8.25 x 11”

Page Count

Another difference between Amazon’s paperback and hardcover specifications is the page count.

Paperback can be anywhere from 24 to 828 pages
Hardcover must be between 55 and 550 pages

Design Your Cover

KDP has cover design software to design an elegant cover for your paperback and hard cover books. You will need to change your cover size for the hardback. Here are some tips:

Note that the case laminate covers Amazon produces are made of chipboard, and wrapped with laminated paper. Amazon does not offer the usual clothbound or dust jacket option you may be familiar with. As a result, be sure that your cover design wraps around the edges of your cover. Simply extend your design beyond the actual cover dimensions (this is referred to in the industry as “bleeding”).

The basic requirements for Amazon hardcover cover designs are:

Your background should extend 0.51” past the edge of the front cover;
All text and images should be 0.635” from the edge of the book; and
No text or barcodes should be within 0.4” of the spine.

Get Help from a Professional

Having trouble with the layout, or worried you are formatting your book or cover incorrectly? To ensure your book layout and cover look as good as possible, you can hire a book designer who can help maintain your ideal aesthetic while working within Amazon KDP’s rules.

Healing Time Books helps authors utilize today’s digital technology to publish their books.

Contact info@healingtimebooks.com for help with your self publishing project.

Photo credit: Studio Media Inc on Unsplash

Tribute to Dr. Eleanor ‘Reenah’ McGill (1939-2021)

It was with great sadness we learned that our dear friend Dr. E. Reenah McGill passed away at the end of last year. She will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Eleanor “Reenah” McGill was born in 1939 to James and Maude McGill in Onalaska, Wisconsin. She had a passion for knowledge earning a Master of Arts, Master of Chinese Medicine, and a PhD of Philosophy in Oriental Medicine. She was still practicing acupuncture.

Throughout her years, she also lived in Germany, Georgia, Minneapolis, and LA before settling down in the Weston area of Wisconsin to be able to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to travel to China, Peru, Mexico, taking an Amazon Cruise and travelling to so many other countries.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Maude and, her siblings: Frank McGill and Deb Kropelin. Reenah’s memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

We first met Dr. Reenah McGill at her clinic in Los Angeles. She was impressive in the scope of her knowledge in her medical practice. She used her skills as a doctor of Chinese medicine, neurobiofeedback, and a new type of acupuncture called Esoteric Acupuncture, developed by Mikio Sankey, to make a remarkable difference in her patients. Reenah was a highly accomplished scholar and practitioner, always looking for new topics to explore and learn about in detail and overcoming any challenge with determination and resolve.

Books by Dr. E. Reenah McGill

Due to her type 1 diabetes condition which developed suddenly late in life, she became very interested in nutrition and other healing modalities. Dr. McGill and hypnotherapist Dr. Zaugg collaborated and published ‘Eat Right Lose Weight, Introducing the 5 Element Nutrition & Hypnosis System’ which is available on Amazon.com.

Eat Right Lose Weight book by Dr. E. Reenah McGill and Dr. Marianne Zaugg

Poetry by Dr. E. Reenah McGill

Dr. Reenah McGill was well known for her brilliance and delightful sense of humor and her poetry reflects her personality. Poetry MS Volume 1 and Poetry Volume 2 by Dr. E. Reenah McGill include her poems written over a span of more than forty years. They represent and reflect many changes in her life situations, thoughts and desires.

Source of family memoriam information: Published by La Crosse Tribune on Dec. 22, 2021.

In Memoriam: Richard C. Richards

We were very sad to learn that our dear friend and author Richard Richards passed away peacefully earlier this month. He had a clever sense of humor and wit that will be missed. It was an honor and a delight to help him publish his books.

Professor Richards had many accomplishments with his latest efforts resulting in two published books ‘A Philosopher Looks at The Sense of Humor‘ and ‘Poems that Almost Got Away: Reflections on Death and Life‘, and many iris hybrid introductions. During his lifetime, Richards was deeply involve in everything iris and contributed regularly in the form of presentations of his latest findings and seedling introductions at regional and local chapters of the American Iris Society, namely The San Diego Iris Society. His award winning irises included tall bearded irises ‘Amethyst Winter’ ‘Marty Richards’ ‘Easy Being Green’ and ‘Classical Brass.’ He also introduced a species cross iris unguicularis ‘Zzyzx.’ His hybridizing program focused on a producing a true green iris. While his program produced many greenish examples, they also came in a variety of other colors, such as the dramatic purple irises he introduced. Due to his exacting standards, every introduction had to be tall and sturdy with many buds. Richards was also an expert on Pacific Coast Native Irises which he also hybridized for fun and introduced ‘Clarice Richards’ in honor of his mother who encouraged his passion for growing and hybridizing plants.’

Richards Tall Bearded Iris ‘Easy Being Green’ – winner of AIS and AIS Region 15 awards including President’s Cup 2012

About Richard C. Richards in his own words

“I meet death occasionally for lunch, but we only talk about trivial things. We’re not really good friends, but we tolerate each other. Many of the poems in ‘Poems That Almost Got Away’ deal with death. That is a respectable topic for a philosopher, a poet, or anyone else who wants to understand this crazy disease called life, and not simply to get through it with as little thought as possible. Death to me is a concern, but not a preoccupation. I meet death occasionally for lunch, but we only talk about trivial things. We’re not really good friends, but we tolerate each other. Sometimes I joke. Sometimes you cannot tell whether I am joking or not. Neither can I…sometimes.

I remember little of my conception and birth. I assume it took place, but I was not in a position to appreciate it. It was all just a whirl of chromosomes and genes. Plus a rude exit into the world at Moscow, Idaho. They tell me it was in 1935. They could be wrong.

I had what was, compared with children today, an idyllic youth, spent in an atmosphere of no TV and other digital devices, mostly because they had not been invented yet. We roamed the fields and woods near Boise, Idaho, fished, and threw rocks at Neanderthals, who were plentiful at the time.

A move to Santa Barbara, California, after the late, great WWII introduced me to the world of thinking, stimulated and occasionally threatened by some really great teachers at both Santa Barbara High School and the University of California, Santa Barbara. At the latter I discovered my true vocation, but became a philosopher instead. UCLA put the cap on my bottle of education, and I spent nearly forty years teaching at California State Polytechnic on a one-year temporary appointment. I got all the mileage out of that appointment I could.

My first marriage produced one son, Randal, who produced nine grandchildren, who produced four great grandchildren so far. A wonderful marriage to Marlene “Marty” Richards added immeasurably to my life.

The philosophy of humor has interested me for years, and with retirement, I decided to write the book, A Philosopher Looks at The Sense of Humor. It has a serious intent and a humorous approach. That way I can offend a larger number of people: both the humorous and the serious.

My funeral occurred several years ago, but it did not take. But I got to put the fun back in FUNeral.” — Richard C. Richards, La Mesa, CA

Zoom Bombings and Zoom Etiquette

HTB | Website Design – advice about Zoom bombings, a new threat, and zoom etiquette for meeting hosts

Several years ago I started using Zoom for my webinars, mainly because I didn’t consider myself a speaker/presenter and was more comfortable at a computer. No surprise, since I am a web designer and publisher! In the meantime I have had a lot of opportunities to participate and host meetings via Zoom and I still love it.

In fact, one of the positives that has resulted from the last 2 years of intermittent quarantine and adjustments in our Covid-19 affected environment is that almost everyone who is online or has a smartphone has had a zoom meeting experience. I love that even tech challenged and people who consider them too old to learn new tricks are getting on Zoom easily.

While there are other webinar services, I am a fan of having choices, and I am glad that Zoom rose to the challenge to become the obvious favorite service. Zoom Meetings allow for direct interaction, breakout sessions, recording, archiving, audio only and video tracks for reposting and more. If you are a tech person like me and need to screenshare for better communication with your client, Zoom has a screensharing option for the host and the participants which the host controls.

Here are some tips when you host a meeting to ensure a great experience for your meeting attendees:

Make introductions – introduce yourself to the attendees and especially in a smaller meeting, be sure to acknowledge individuals by name to create a more familiar environment.

Create your environment using virtual backgrounds– at an in-person meeting you would be more aware of the quality of the environment, making it specific to your theme. It is easy to select an image or video to act as a “virtual background” with Zoom’s virtual background feature. In fact, I often find wonderful nature photographs on Unsplash.com which create a relaxing mood for my meditation events.

One thing to be aware of is that sometimes body parts like hands and hair merge with the background image when you move around too much, or if the color of your outfit matches too closely. If you need to demonstrate something with your hands, or show movement, it’s best to avoid the virtual background altogether and instead consider installing an actual screen, or hold your meeting in a more neutral setting like an office.

Look at the camera -This probably sounds obvious, however, the tendency is to look at yourself to make sure you are presenting well. Instead, make an effort to look at your camera so that the attendees feel that you are talking directly to them.

Eliminate noise – It may seem obvious but unless you are the host you probably aren’t aware of background noise. Driving or walking and breathing while you are hosting a meeting generates more noise than you think. Barking dogs and landscape maintenance crews with loud blowers and mowers can’t be helped sometimes. Even notifications that ding on your computer will be relayed. Some of these you can control and others you cannot. If you are outdoors or in a car, when it is your turn to talk, stand still and slow down your breathing to a normal rate or pull the car over to reduce road noise. And if you remember, turn off the sound notifications on your device during your meetings.

Best Sound Quality – If recording the event and repurposing the content is a high priority, get a high quality noise cancelling microphone. If necessary you can opt to wear a headset with a noise cancelling microphone, like Apple’s Airpods Pro.

Host Meeting Controls – As a host you have many settings you can choose when you create your meeting. Did you know you are able to set up the Zoom meeting to allow others to unmute themselves, or for the Host only to unmute people. For the Host only to screen share, or to allow multiple people to screen share? You can also assign co-hosts for your meetings.

Warning – Zoom bombings are real! I recently learned about zoom bombings through a personal experience when a few people showed up during an online event and immediately unmuted themselves and proceeded to make disruptive noises and comments.

As a Zoom Meeting host, you can mitigate some of this risk by not posting meeting passwords, requesting people to register and then set up a waiting room so you can allow people who have been verified to enter the meeting. In a more public meeting where all are invited it’s not as easy to control however the meeting host always has the option to mute everyone. Some meeting settings to adhere to include:

Disable “Join Before Host”
Enabling “Co-Host”
Disable “File Transfer”
Disable “Allow Removed Participants to Rejoin”

Zoom added two new security features that hosts can use to address these disruptive and uninvited Zoom bombers.

Suspend Participant Activities enables hosts and cohosts to suspend meeting functions, including video, audio, in-meeting chat and breakout rooms.
Report Disruptive Attendees enables users, not just hosts and co-hosts, but also the meeting participants to report disruptive behavior like Zoom bombing from within the Zoom client using the “Security” badge. All account owners and admins need to do is enable reporting for non-hosts in their web settings.

Sources: Entrepreneur; TechCrunch; and Security Intelligence

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