by Gilda Bonanno LLC
Whether you were introduced to video calls and meetings during COVID, or you’ve been communicating virtually with a global team for years, it can be challenging to stand out and be noticed on video calls.
Here are 4 tips for making sure you’re not ignored on your next video call, especially if it’s a very important one:
1. Turn your video camera on
Yes, I know this can present challenges: video means that if you’re working from home, you have to cordon off a quiet, private space in your home to take the call, corral your kids and pets safely in another space, clean up your background, take time for extra grooming (hair, makeup, shaving) and deal with the extra bandwidth pressure.
However, if you want to be noticed, you must be able to be seen, literally. Zoom even has an option to “Hide non-video participants.” Is that what you want other people on the call (leaders, peers, direct reports, clients) to do to you – “hide” you? If not, turn the camera on and be seen.
2. Make sure your on-camera presence matches the image you are trying to portray
In addition to appropriate grooming and dress, also make sure that you have good lighting so your face can be clearly seen with minimal shadow and glare. Position your camera at or slightly above eye level so you can make “virtual eye contact” with others, rather than looking upwards or downwards at them. Test your microphone (internal or external) to make sure it carries your voice clearly.
You don’t have to remodel your house or office, but make sure your background is appropriate and not distracting (and remember that virtual backgrounds don’t always work well without a green screen). In a pinch, use a room divider, or a clean, unwrinkled solid color sheet as a background.
Also be aware of your on-camera non-verbal communication, which can get accentuated when everyone can see you on their screen. Smile, nod in understanding and look into the camera, rather than looking off into space while thinking or poring over the notes on your desk.
3. Prepare so you can speak up
Being seen on video calls is not enough. You also have to be heard. Prepare for the meeting ahead of time by thinking about the topic and the presenters, looking at the agenda, etc. You can even draft relevant questions to ask or comments to make, which you can adjust as needed during the meeting. Your preparation will make it easier for you to speak up or participate in the chat, rather than trying to come up with something in the moment.
If there is no opportunity to participate live, consider developing your comments/questions into a follow-up email to the organizer or one of the speakers.
And if you are presenting during the meeting, you must prepare ahead of time and practice on camera.
4. Show up early and stay late
If possible, log onto the meeting early. Not only does this allow you to test everything so you don’t get derailed by technical issues, you also may be able to talk or chat with other attendees or presenters, depending on how big the meeting is. This informal conversation mimics what you would do at in-person meetings.
While sometimes you are stuck in a virtual waiting room, often there is that time when everyone has been admitted to the meeting, but it hasn’t officially started, when you can connect with others.
And don’t be the first to log off. As other attendees drop off, you may have a chance to participate in a conversation with a smaller group of people.
If you follow these 4 tips, you can make sure that when you are on video calls, your voice is heard and you are noticed.
© Gilda Bonanno LLC - Gilda Bonanno serves as a trusted advisor to executives and entrepreneurs to transform their communication, presentation and leadership skills. She has worked with companies on 4 continents, from Chicago to Shanghai and Rio to Rome. The instructional videos on her YouTube channel have received over 1.5 million views and her e-newsletter has reached subscribers in over 45 countries since 2008. For other articles or to receive Gilda's e-newsletter, visit www.gildabonanno.com