Hi Reader,
This Friday, I’ll be a guest on a webinar titled “Why Video is Your New Business Card.”
It’s a good title... punchy and memorable. But it got me thinking, because for years, I’ve been saying something slightly different:
Video is your new business suit.
It’s not about style or fashion. It’s about signals.
For decades, people have worn business attire not just to look smart, but to communicate things:
- Respect for the people they’re meeting
- Confidence in themselves
- Attention to detail
- Professionalism
- Success and capability
And here’s the thing:
In today’s world of online business, those same signals are now being sent through your camera, whether you mean to or not.
🎥 Five Signals Your Video Presence Sends
1. Respect for Others’ Time and Attention
If you show up on camera looking and sounding clear with good lighting, clean framing, and crisp audio, it tells the viewer:
“I care enough about this interaction to make it smooth and easy for you.”
That’s respect, not just production.
2. Attention to Detail
Sloppy framing, echoey rooms, bad lighting... these aren’t tech issues, they’re perception issues.
When you show up dialled in, people assume (hopefully, rightfully so) you’re that way in every other aspect of your work too.
3. Authority and Confidence
It’s not about looking perfect. It’s about looking intentional.
When someone looks polished on video, they immediately carry more weight in the meeting. It’s human nature - we equate a strong on-screen presence with competence.
4. Professionalism in a Digital-First World
In the same way people used to put on a jacket before walking into a meeting room, showing up on camera prepared and presentable is part of modern professionalism.
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing slippers... your frame is your suit.
5. Silent Signals of Success
You don’t need to talk about your results when your presence already suggests it. A strong visual and audio setup communicates success without saying a word. People will often judge your capability before you’ve even introduced yourself.
And here’s something I probably shouldn't admit…
The suits you see me wearing in all my promo images and profile photos?
I honestly can’t fit into any of them anymore.
I never quite lost the 'COVID weight', and now that COVID feels more like a distant meme than a recent memory, that excuse doesn’t really cut it anymore either.
To be fair, I’ve finally got back into a solid routine with 10km daily walks and the gym, but that’s beside the point.
Because the truth is, that image represents something I’ve now outgrown, both literally and metaphorically.
So if, like me, you feel it’s time for a new kind of business attire…
Consider upgrading your digital suit first.
Because what matters now isn’t the outfit, it’s the setup.
It’s not about the picture, it’s about how you show up live.
And with tech being as affordable as it is these days, you can create a polished, high-quality video presence for about the same price as a decent suit.
It’s one of the best investments you can make in your business.
And it’s exactly why I’m so passionate about this work.
If you are interested in attending the Free webinar I mentioned, it is hosted by Neil Farrimond and Martin Mckenna, and I'll be a guest along with Scott Skibell. It should be a great conversation, and is happening this Friday, 11th July... you can register below.
A strong video presence isn't vanity. It’s about trust.
If you’re building a digital business, it’s not optional anymore.
The way you show up on video is silently doing the talking.
If you need help developing your video presence, reach out... I'm here to help. Talk soon, Alec.