Betsy Helmuth celebrates the podcast anniversary, announces contest winners, and shares Zoom background best practices and lighting tips. She discusses tech offset with plants, styled shelves, and what should and shouldn't be behind you on Zoom. Plus, affordable tips for staging a home for sale.

0:00 Premium membership promotion 1:24 Podcast anniversary celebration 3:18 Contest winners announcement 4:27 Mention of Keith and the Girl podcast 6:00 Zoom background best practices 8:50 Lighting tips for Zoom calls 13:23 Tech offset with plants 15:07 Importance of styled shelves 19:27 What should and shouldn't be behind you on Zoom 24:05 Mailbag question: Affordable tips for staging a home for sale 28:28 Closing remarks and call for listener feedback

- Zoom backgrounds should have adequate lighting from the front to avoid creating hot spots or shadows that can distract during meetings.  - Plants and other natural elements can provide a refreshing contrast to the technological environment of a Zoom call, making the space feel more welcoming and balanced. - Avoid using fake Zoom backgrounds as they can create visual distractions and may give an impression of insincerity, hindering the opportunity for genuine connection.

Additional show notes:

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