Our company has been a global and remote employer for 20 years. You could say we have learned a thing or two about video conferencing with our employees and clients. During the surge of Covid-19, many companies who were able to place their employees on a work from home status, have done so. While some of the video call blunders provide comedic relief during a difficult time, the goal is to remain professional and keep your brand shining. We have crafted a two part Video Conferencing Best Practices to keep your company operating at its best.
Avoid the Awkward Zoom and Create a Great Experience For Your Brand & Employees:
Brand management – The goal of these posts are to help you and your brand look good, maintain credibility, and build trust; people like to see you and hear you.
If anything looks awkward, it feels awkward. This will NOT work in your favor. Here are a few basics to help create a comfortable, effective meeting:
- Mind the Monitor: Be sure to keep it at eye level. If you are using a laptop, purchase a stand to raise up your monitor. In the short term, stack some hard books underneath so that you can look straight into the camera. Especially avoid the camera looking up your nose and laying in bed – both of these are no-no’s.
- Camera: Use it like eye contact, look directly into the camera, not at yourself or others on the screen. At the very least, look into the camera when you are speaking. You can drag the gallery of viewers near the camera (usually at the top of your screen) if this helps.
- Background: Be aware of what’s behind and next to you and clean it up. Remove distracting items and avoid doors (or possibly close the door and post a sign to not enter). Especially avoid your open wardrobe/dresser in the backdrop.
- Virtual background: Do NOT use this feature unless you are equipped, as it can be distracting for your viewers. Equipped means that you have a green screen, or a clean backdrop. If your logo is on a virtual background, but your ears and eyes are reflecting the background, this will create an awkward experience.
- Lighting: Notice the lighting on your face. You are seeking soft light without shadows. Sitting with the window behind you can create darkness. Sitting directly in front of a window can create a glare on your face. Turning overhead lights on in the room can be a good option. Find the spot that allows for indirect light.
- Dress: We really don’t care what you are wearing below the waist. But above the waist matters. Be professional or least presentable. We have witnessed people showing up in tank tops with bra straps hanging out or worse, without a bra. Not a big deal until it becomes the focus of your call. We are not saying you have to wear a bra–they are quite overrated, however it’s not the viewers business if you are wearing one or not. Keep your underwear to yourself. And if you are really serious, a lip gloss and powder won’t hurt (this is true for men and women!)
- Be yourself! Don’t forget that a key part of branding your business is you! You want to be as personable as possible, and do your best to not make it feel like a video call. Remember, that most people will take their cues from the fascilator.
At the end of your video conferencing call you want the participants to feel engaged, excited about the discussion and connected to you, even though you aren’t physically in the same space. All of these suggestions above will contribute to your company knowing the audience and keeping your brand squeaky clean.
https://uit.stanford.edu/videoconferencing/best-practices
