As more and more companies shift to working from home, potentially through the end of the year and beyond, there are a number of factors that continue to take some getting used to, including video conferencing. Whether it is Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex or any other platform, it’s no secret that companies are utilizing these tools a lot more than they did five months ago. Daily video conferencing has become our new normal. Here are five tips from the Curator team on how to best present yourself during a video call: 

Position and frame yourself properly

Framing is more important than most people think. Find a grounded, comfortable place and frame yourself in the webcam right in the center and the perfect distance away from the camera so that you are still able to talk and express with your hands to show body language. This technique is a great way to command attention and keep the focus on the speaker. For example, having the camera at eye level can make it easier to connect with those on the other side while also limiting distractions and wandering eyes.

Ensure you have good lighting

Lighting can sometimes be tough, especially if you live in an area like Seattle where natural light doesn’t shine through every day. Not all areas of the house are going to have the perfect natural light, so it can be helpful to set up your work station where the lighting is best. That said, many affordable alternatives can make your video calls appear more professional; ring lights and lume cubes are becoming more common because they are easy to handle, attach nicely to laptops and illuminate the subject without any shadows. A great way to guarantee good light is by always having it shine in front of your face, not behind you. Having light come through from the back can create a silhouette effect and distract people on the other end of the call.

“Personally, lighting has been a big one for me. It has been eye opening what a difference it can make – maybe more so than any other visual factor. I don’t have good natural lighting in my house, particularly on overcast days and in the afternoons, so I’ve had to start getting more creative. Adding supplemental lighting is an option, but in my opinion, nothing replaces the look and feel of natural light sources.”

-       Boone Helm, Senior Account Executive

Make a connection through a webcam

As a speaker or attendee, you want your energy to be felt through the webcam. With video conferencing, it is natural for energy to get lost through the screen. It helps to be more energetic and animated than you normally would be if you were meeting face to face. Move your energy forward by standing tall and speaking clearly. Not only will this make the attendees feel more comfortable, but it is also a great confidence booster. It will never hurt to use positive facial expressions like smiling and keeping a friendly face. Nodding along during a conversation is also a great way of showing the speaker that you are engaged and listening to what they are saying.

Use virtual backgrounds when appropriate

It is no surprise that Zoom and Teams virtual backgrounds are one of the most popular features on the platforms. Realistically, not everyone has a picturesque home office so when it comes to working from home, some of us might want to hide the dirty laundry on the couch or a family member making food in the kitchen. Backdrops can be a perfect way to keep video conferencing fun and lively, especially in daily team meetings. The Curator team loves to play around with them.

It is smart to stay away from the silly backdrops while on an important client call or interview, but there are ways to use professional backdrops in your favor. For example, you can apply the backdrop feature with a company’s logo or a job title. Something simple and not too distracting is the safe way to go.

“I’ve added a series of virtual background photos to my collection that are pertinent to each client like shots of their building, renderings of projects underway, logos, etc. That way, they’re not distracted by the stationary bike and my son’s Lego Death Star behind me at my house. Plus, I don’t have to use the generic ones. I try to vary it from meeting to meeting based on who else is on the call and the theme/topic.”

-       Dan Miller, Senior Vice President

Appearance is important, even from home

We have all heard the saying “dress to impress.” This is relevant now more than ever. Making a good first impression can be difficult, but even more so now that this experience is through a screen. While we may not be shaking hands any time soon, it is still important to feel and look prepared when going into a video meeting. This means cleaning your office, living room or anything in the background that will be shown on camera (unless you’re utilizing tip #4!). 

It can be easy to fall back on the habit of rolling out of bed and heading straight to your computer when working from home. No one is going to see you, so why get all dolled up? According to a Piedmont Healthcare article, sticking to a healthy routine can help someone feel stress free, confident, and prepared. Get ready as if you were going to meet a person face-to-face. This can look different depending on the person, but typically, that includes a shower, getting dressed, and fixing your hair. 

These five simple tips can go a long way when communicating using video. It can easily be the difference between a mediocre interaction and a positive one. Remember these tips for your next video conference to boost your professionalism!