COVID-19 has forced us all to rely heavily on video conferencing technologies such as Zoom and Skype. While these softwares have been tremendously beneficial for companies trying to maintain a semblance of normality, some employees had very little, if any, familiarity with the programs.
Different levels of proficiency with the softwares have led to some wild variances in video quality within conferences. While sometimes the quality of the user’s camera is to blame, user error has actually been the main culprit behind that not-quite-HD look some of our coworkers are presenting in video meetings.
For the foreseeable future, and maybe even beyond that, video conferencing and virtual meetings will be the norm. If you’ve been struggling to perfect your virtual presence in meetings, follow these 5 tips to video chat like a pro.
The Correct Lighting is Half the Battle
We’ve all been on video calls where one of our coworkers looked like they were calling from a deep, dark underground cave. If the lighting in your room is too dark or uneven, you’ll draw attention to yourself on the video call, and not in a positive way. One of the most important things you need to know is that more light is almost always better. While too much light (from the wrong angle) can eventually cause its own set of issues, your coworkers will at least be able to see you clearly and distinctly.
Before you get on the call, test how you look on your computer’s camera. Even if you feel like you have your lighting and camera angle down perfectly, the only way you can be sure is by seeing it for yourself. Zoom even lets users join in test meetings so they can ensure their cameras are properly prepared and that they are comfortable with the program.
Don’t let bad lighting distract your coworkers from what you have to say.
Perfect Your Camera Angle
As we’ve seen from every social influencer, instagrammer and snapchatter, the correct angle is crucial when it comes to pictures and videos. Most laptops today come with cameras that are built into the system, and while that can be tremendously convenient, those built-in cameras also come with their limitations. A professional photographer will tell you that the ideal angle is usually around the eye line or just above it. In other words, you want your eyes to be aligned with your camera. This isn’t always the case with your laptop’s built-in camera.
If you’re having trouble finding the perfect angle with your laptop camera, there are a number of alternative options to consider. The best option may be to buy a portable camera that you can connect to your laptop and place conveniently at the perfect angle. This way, you won’t be restricted to the placement of your laptop’s camera.
Understand the Video Software
Before COVID-19 struck, you may not have been tremendously familiar with video softwares such as Zoom and Skype. Unfortunately, the pandemic didn’t give any of us much time to adjust to the new normal. By now, the majority of us are becoming more comfortable with these video conferencing softwares. Whether it’s navigating menus, joining conferences, or even adding backgrounds that make it look like you’re sitting in a tropical paradise, it’s crucial to understand how to effectively operate these programs.
Every different software has its own set of things to learn. Naturally, you’ll want to focus mostly on whatever software your company is using to conduct video calls. There are some great tutorials on YouTube and across the internet that can help users gain a better understanding of the program. It’s still difficult to tell when we’ll all be back in our offices, so for now, focus on how to make the most out of what you have.
Try to Limit Distractions in Your Home
We’ve all seen the videos that have been going viral of employees getting a bit distracted while on their video calls. Whether its children bursting into the room and stealing the spotlight, or animals getting particularly excited at the worst possible time, there are tons of distractions facing those of us who are attempting to work from home.
Obviously, it’s almost impossible to completely control what our children, pets, and families will do. But it’s crucial that we do all we can to limit the possibility of these distractions during professional meetings. It may be cute the first time a meeting gets interrupted by a barking dog, but it’s less cute the second and third times.
Have a Back Up Plan
Even if you follow every tip in this article perfectly, problems can still arise. If you don’t have a plan for dealing with those problems until it’s too late, then you can find yourself in some very difficult situations. It’s essential to have a backup plan that will allow you to adjust on the fly should any technical issues arise.
One such back up plan is to have a smartphone available should your laptop have any technical or network issues. While these virtual meetings can be difficult on the smaller screens of smartphones, it’s certainly better than not joining the meeting at all. You’ll also want to keep a laptop charger on hand. The last thing you need is a dead battery as soon as the meeting starts.
We’re all trying to make the best of this particularly unusual situation we find ourselves in. If you need additional assistance for optimizing your video conferencing software, contact our team of friendly IT experts at M&H Consulting. We’ve helped a variety of businesses and employees improve their operational processes during COVID-19, and we’re ready and willing to help you, too.
Our final tip for how to improve your video conferencing experience is don’t forget to have fun. While you don’t want to get carried away with festive virtual backgrounds, maybe incorporate them for the next company happy hour.
These are challenging times. Do all you can to adapt, but remember, nobody’s perfect. You’re not alone in your struggle to get the hang of video calls.
Categorised in: Apps, Business Transformation, remote employees, remote work, remote workers, software, Tech Tips, tips