When you're video conferencing with people who live and work in faraway locations, you don't have a chance to impress them with your charming personality over lunch or pull them aside to make some candid comments to help them see your enthusiasm for the project. Your on-camera interactions are the only way the people on the other end of the video conference have to judge you â€" and your company.
That is the reason why looking wonderful on video conferencing is so vital. While people perhaps shouldn't judge each other on looks alone, looks definitely matter when you're communicating over distance using state-of-the-art technology.
Here are seven quick tips for always looking your best when you interact via video conference:
1. Use a high-quality system. Good equipment conveys light, sound & detail better than bad or outdated gear, so upgrade your system as often as necessary to keep on top of technology. Today's video conferencing solutions commonly have high definition cameras, top quality mics and professional switching technology to make each one of your interaction smooth, bright & colourful.
2. Don't skimp on light. There's a reason TV stations and local theatres hire people to help them control lighting. Bright lights reduce the look of wrinkles and eliminate unbecoming shadows, but too much light can make you look glossy and nervous. Lots of soft, white light usually works best, and there isn't a lot wrong with strategically placing lights behind laptops or concealing them round the room if necessary to make everybody look their best.
3. Make eye contact as frequently as possible. It's easy for people to feel disconnected or disengaged when listening to a long presentation by video conference, so make frequent eye contact with the camera. This is good etiquette, also , just as eye contact is important when meeting with people face to face.
4. Avoid wearing distracting patterns. With older equipment, tight patterns can make a distracting strobe effect that may be more interesting to the people on the other end of the conference than what you are saying. Even if you're using the latest equipment nevertheless , viewers will not be able to appreciate the pattern on your tie or your interesting piece of jewellery, so stick to solids and easy, elegant adornments.
5. Sit up straight if you can. We all look more professional when we sit up straight and keep our shoulders back, but good posture can sometimes be hard to maintain during a long meeting. Selecting a supportive chair and being aware of when you're being watched and when you aren't will help you look your best when somebody's actually looking.
6. Be aware of camera angles. An expertly installed video conferencing system will have well-placed cameras, but sitting or standing too close to a camera can distort your features, giving you a humourous & distracting appearance. Looking down into a camera can also make your face appear wider, making you look fat.
7. Do some testing. If a meeting is extremely important or if you're new to video conferencing, do some test presentations â€" and record them to help you notice and correct errors. Even the best equipment can be used incorrectly or to less-than-optimum effect, so take time to test how you interact with your firm's equipment to make sure you are using it as effectively as possible.
Everyone would like to look great, of course, but in business looking good can mean a really significant difference between making the sale and making a fool of yourself.
That is the reason why looking wonderful on video conferencing is so vital. While people perhaps shouldn't judge each other on looks alone, looks definitely matter when you're communicating over distance using state-of-the-art technology.
Here are seven quick tips for always looking your best when you interact via video conference:
1. Use a high-quality system. Good equipment conveys light, sound & detail better than bad or outdated gear, so upgrade your system as often as necessary to keep on top of technology. Today's video conferencing solutions commonly have high definition cameras, top quality mics and professional switching technology to make each one of your interaction smooth, bright & colourful.
2. Don't skimp on light. There's a reason TV stations and local theatres hire people to help them control lighting. Bright lights reduce the look of wrinkles and eliminate unbecoming shadows, but too much light can make you look glossy and nervous. Lots of soft, white light usually works best, and there isn't a lot wrong with strategically placing lights behind laptops or concealing them round the room if necessary to make everybody look their best.
3. Make eye contact as frequently as possible. It's easy for people to feel disconnected or disengaged when listening to a long presentation by video conference, so make frequent eye contact with the camera. This is good etiquette, also , just as eye contact is important when meeting with people face to face.
4. Avoid wearing distracting patterns. With older equipment, tight patterns can make a distracting strobe effect that may be more interesting to the people on the other end of the conference than what you are saying. Even if you're using the latest equipment nevertheless , viewers will not be able to appreciate the pattern on your tie or your interesting piece of jewellery, so stick to solids and easy, elegant adornments.
5. Sit up straight if you can. We all look more professional when we sit up straight and keep our shoulders back, but good posture can sometimes be hard to maintain during a long meeting. Selecting a supportive chair and being aware of when you're being watched and when you aren't will help you look your best when somebody's actually looking.
6. Be aware of camera angles. An expertly installed video conferencing system will have well-placed cameras, but sitting or standing too close to a camera can distort your features, giving you a humourous & distracting appearance. Looking down into a camera can also make your face appear wider, making you look fat.
7. Do some testing. If a meeting is extremely important or if you're new to video conferencing, do some test presentations â€" and record them to help you notice and correct errors. Even the best equipment can be used incorrectly or to less-than-optimum effect, so take time to test how you interact with your firm's equipment to make sure you are using it as effectively as possible.
Everyone would like to look great, of course, but in business looking good can mean a really significant difference between making the sale and making a fool of yourself.
About the Author:
Paul Fraser, owner of a home automation company in South Africa, writes about everything related to video conferencing equipment and other business communication issues in an attempt to help businessmen around the world make better connections. Better connections mean more sales and improved customer relationships.
