The sudden rise of virtual meetings and conferences is forcing people to get their on-camera presentation skills up to a professional level fast.
They’re a great way to stay safe, connect and share information.
But, if you lack on-camera skills for virtual meetings and conferences, you can unwittingly undermine yourself and your credibility as well as frustrate your colleagues or boss.
In this Article:
9 basic tips to help you succeed on-camera in video meetings and video conferences.
- Make sure the technology is ready
- Choose your setup
- What you wear matters
- Stay focused on the screen
- Acknowledge the “new normal”
- Multitasking is distracting
- Press mute or pause if needed
- Get help if needed
- What to expect in media training and coaching
Before the Meeting:
1 Make sure the technology is ready
Download the technology for your video meeting well before it starts! Even if you downloaded it a few months ago, test it the day before to see if it still works. Many of these technologies will have updates since your last session and you may be forced to download those updates. Make sure you know your password and that everything is in working order. Showing up late because of technical issues you didn’t check on beforehand can make you feel and appear discombobulated.
2 Choose your setup
Take the time to see how your setup looks on camera well before your meeting starts.
- Your face should be well lit and the background should be neat and presentable – no mess or unmade beds.
- Try different locations to see which looks the most presentable and professional.
- If possible, choose a location that is far from noisy kids and animals. If available, set up in a room with a door that closes.
3 What you wear matters
Dress appropriately for the meeting. It’s easy to forget that wardrobe affects how people perceive you on-camera as much as it does in person. And when it comes to being on camera, colors matter:
- Solid colors work well. The best are reds, greens and blues and other saturated solid colors.
- Busy patterns are not flattering on camera and they can be very distracting. Tight stripes are especially difficult because they can look like they’re vibrating on screen.
- Solid whites and blacks can wash you out on camera
During the meeting:
4 Stay focused on the screen
Looking at the camera lens will help other virtual attendees feel like you’re having eye contact and speaking directly to them. Direct eye contact will make it easier for attendees to connect with you and what you’re saying.
However, you will also need to look at the attendees on-screen in order to read facial expressions and to see if they are understanding what you’re saying.
5 Acknowledge the “new normal”
Be real when you engage with and interact with others. Remember, meetings are for groups to communicate with each other and share information. They’re also a place to be yourself.
As many people adjust to working at home, empathy in addition to well-planted humor can help everyone relax, feel seen, and be heard. We all need to acknowledge our “new normal” which seems to be constantly changing.
It’s ok to take a moment to talk about how difficult things are and about the hardships of working at home. Everyone needs empathy and acknowledgment while adjusting. But since everything seems so out of our control right now, it also helps to feel productive. So, move on from the difficulties and get down to business.
6 Multitasking is distracting
Multi-tasking during meetings sends a bad message. Give your full attention to the meeting and refrain from sending emails, filing your nails, and picking your teeth. If you’re the boss, it sends the message that you really don’t care what your team members have to say. If you’re a team member, it sends the message that you’re not invested in the meeting. Remember, the camera is likely framing just your face – so whatever you’re doing, we’re seeing it up close and personal.
7 Press mute or pause if needed
If you must type during the meeting, take another call or discipline your kids, make sure to press mute or pause so everyone in the meeting doesn’t hear you.
8 Get help if needed
If you aren’t good at being in video meetings, you feel awkward or just need some pointers, get some coaching. I offer 30 minute and one-hour virtual media training to get your on-camera presence up to speed quickly for virtual meetings and conferences. If you’re not sure if you need coaching, give us a call for a free 15-minute consult.
Here a Rheumatologist and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the pharmaceutical industry describes how he was unknowingly undermining his own research presentations in video conferences just because of the way he was presenting:
“I had no idea that the way I was presenting myself in virtual meetings and virtual conferences was undercutting the research I was presenting. It was the simple things that needed to be adjusted while I was on camera, like the way I presented my slides, where I was looking, how I was sitting, what I was doing with my hands that’s distracting on camera. Media training pointed out simple things I was doing that weren’t working. It helped immensely and has allowed me to present virtually at conferences which has saved me a lot of time lost on travel.”
9 What to expect in media training and coaching for virtual meetings
What to expect in our customized coaching sessions for individuals and small groups:
- Leading and building a virtual community in difficult times
- Identify habits on camera that may be undermining your credibility
- Learn to present yourself professionally on camera
- Build confidence and focus before your virtual meeting or presentation
- Develop an authentic and relaxed presentation style
- Practice presenting material concisely using notes
- Identify the best location and lighting for maximum visibility and professionalism
- Etiquette do’s and don’ts in virtual meetings
- Get wardrobe feedback
- What to do with your hands
- Communication tips to better connect with other meeting attendees
- How and when to look at the camera
#mediatraining, #videoconference, #Videomeeting, #virtualmeeting, #workfromhome, #workfromhomelife, #publicspeaking, #executivepresence, #virtualmeetings, #videomeeting
