Online meetings are soaring in popularity. There are some easy ways to improve how you come across to your leadership, colleagues and clients regardless of which meeting software you use.
Here are 5 tips picked up from my days in broadcasting for the Air Force and doing live webinars for clients:
1 – Your eye line. You want the camera – not the screen – to be even with your eyes. Put your laptop on some thick books or raise the height of your chair if your PC is higher than you so you look similar to how you would face to face.
2 – Eye line part two. Look at the camera! Not the picture. This is most important when you’re trying to build rapport. It feels awkward, but the person on the other side gets real eye contact and that matters.
3 – Dress the part. We’re all at home but looking a little nicer makes a difference. As a former news anchor, it’s only the top half that matters. Throw on that button up or blazer, and no one will know you’re still hanging out in your shorts and slippers.
4 – Be well lit. You don’t have to get a halo light and start snapping selfies…just be near a window for natural light, or in a room that’s bright enough that you don’t look grainy and give people the idea you might be calling in from a cave.
5 – Your background. Check this out in your camera before the meeting. Is it neat? Do you have a window behind you that’s so bright it blows out the picture? Simple is best and will keep your background from distracting others from what you’re saying.
These small tweaks and efforts will go a long way towards helping you show up your best and build better rapport with anyone in your online meetings.