With the vast majority of us now carrying out our jobs (and socialising) remotely, video conferencing has rapidly become the new way to communicate. With daily life unfolding in front of a screen, now’s the time to get comfortable with this technology. All communication channels have their quirks, but this probably applies to video conferencing more than most. This article looks at a series of tips and tricks to master video conferencing and avoid any potential embarrassment along the way!
The rise and rise of video conferencing
The demand for video conferencing solutions has peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person conferences and events have become a thing of the past, the workforce has embraced remote working, and even entertainment has shifted online.
Do’s and don’ts of video conferencing
If you don’t have much previous experience with video conferencing, it might take a little getting used to. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you master video conferencing:
Consider your space
If you’re making a work call, you should find a suitable place with minimal noise. If other members of your household are working from home, give them some advance warning to avoid any interruptions.
Think about the lighting in your space — natural light and side lighting are the best options.
Make sure the area around you is clean and tidy and that there’s nothing visible that you’re uncomfortable showing! You can always create a virtual background to avoid you having to think about this.
Check your appearance
Whilst working from home undeniably provides an opportunity to dress down, a casual appearance might not strike the right note for a work call. Make sure you’re smart and presentable, and avoid heavily patterned clothing as it could be distracting on camera.
Setting up for the call
Test your video conferencing software ahead of the call to make sure everything is working. Make sure your device is plugged in and has sufficient battery power. It’s always a good idea to log onto the video call slightly early, particularly if you’re using unfamiliar software.
Muting sound and turning off video
Your microphone will pick up some background noise, to avoid this you can mute the audio when you’re not speaking. Similarly, if you’re experiencing a distraction or unwanted interruption, you can turn off your video to avoid this being seen by other participants.
Knowing when to speak
It can be harder to pick up on visual signals on a video call, making it more difficult to know when to speak. If you take part in video calls regularly, you might want to agree a system to facilitate this with the other participants (e.g. raising a hand when you want to say something).
If you want top-quality video conferencing services for your business, we offer immersive boardroom video conferencing technology that makes participants feel like they’re in the same room. Get in touch with our friendly team to learn more!
