Virtual meetings are a necessity in the modern workplace and they can be a great way to stay in touch with your colleagues and clients who live in far-away places. Here are five tips to help you look your best and stay professional when meeting with clients online.
Backgrounds
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- Some video conferencing platforms, like Zoom and Google Meets, offer the option to use a virtual background for your video. That way, you don’t need to worry about cleaning your office beforehand — instead, simply use a stock photo of an office or a neutral color as your background. While backgrounds are a great tool, be warned they aren’t perfect. If people are walking around within your camera’s view, it can disrupt the virtual background and show the real room. To avoid any mishaps, it’s best to position yourself in front of a wall, so people can't be seen behind you.
Attire
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- Dressing professionally is important for business meetings, whether they take place online or in person. However, it’s not as simple as throwing on a suit and tie or a blouse — when cameras are involved, prints matter. Try to avoid wearing busy prints or bright colors, as they might be distracting through the screen. A loud print can become distorted on camera and make it difficult to focus; sticking to neutral colors is best.
Angles and Lighting
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- Have your camera on but don’t spend too much time looking at yourself in the little box on your screen. That said, make sure you take enough time to set yourself up properly. Angle your camera at eye-level and double check you know what is in the frame. Avoid positioning yourself in front of windows — the lighting will create a dark shadow across your face and make it hard to see you. Instead, posture yourself facing your window so the light brightens up your face.
Audio
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- To ensure you execute an effective meeting, it’s important people can actually hear what you are saying. That’s where headphones come in handy. If you know you will be regularly meeting with clients online, you might want to consider investing in a quality pair of headphones. Talking in a meeting through your computer microphone system can distort the sound and can pick up more background noise. Stick with headphones to avoid ambient noise and ensure your meeting isn't disrupted by technical difficulties. It's also a good idea to utilize your mute button when you aren’t speaking — just remember to turn it back on when it’s time to talk again.
Familiarize Yourself with the Platform
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- Nobody wants to sit through a meeting that gets dragged out due to avoidable technical difficulties — and nobody wants to be the person behind the problem. It’s always a good idea to poke around whichever platform you plan to use before the actual call. If you plan to screen share during the meeting, be sure to use the tool beforehand so you know what you are doing. Some platforms, like Google Meets, offer the option to share only part of your screen or one tab at a time. As part of your preparation ahead of your meeting, be sure to learn about what features you have access to.
In 2020 alone, Zoom was downloaded more than 485 million times and used for more than 45 billion minutes of webinars. In today’s business world, people expect flexibility and that includes offering an options to meet remotely. The next time you have a virtual meeting with a client or colleague, utilize these simple tips and make it a success.
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