Video Conferencing Etiquette Tips You Cannot Overlook

Technology is outsmarting itself with every passing second. It makes work easier as well as faster, and one such tool we all are familiar with is video conferencing. It provides an instant connection with the audience. It makes idea exchange an easier process where physical distance would have previously been a barrier. Below are a few points highlighting its advantages along with few etiquette tips that come in handy for your first video conference:

Saves Time

In the corporate society, every second counts and not everybody can be physically present at the same place and time, so digital presence can still facilitate the exchange.

Recruit Fast

Recruitment across the globe is cheaper and faster if interview connects the right audience directly. Travel cost can be avoided where it is not required.

Close Deals Quickly

People love having a one-on-one contact when investing; instead of being physically present at all locations (which is practically impossible) a video conversation can solve the issue. This way both the customer and the employees are happy.

Hold Sales Meetings

The sales target scenarios can be explained across the entire company domain instead of explaining it group-by-group, thus avoiding inconsistency. It eliminates the need for repeated meetings on the same topic.

Better Collaboration

Designs can be reviewed in real time making the dispatch faster with the help of online collaboration. Online video conference is an excellent way to involve the team in each step. The updates can be shared with everybody in real time, and all the important issues can be addressed.

Etiquette Tips to Consider while Video Conferencing

Prepare Beforehand

Do a test run to make sure you’re prepared? For example, if you’re using Blue Jeans video conference equipment, you’ll want to make sure that your microphone and speaker are working to avoid interruption once the meeting starts. Be on time for the meeting, and make sure you have everything you need close at hand.

Choose the Right Location

Set yourself up in a quiet place where nobody will disturb you and make sure it has appropriate lighting that does not overshadow while you are video conferencing. It would be great to sit in front of a place where the wall is not covered with distracting posters or photos, as they can be unpleasant to look at. And, of course, make sure that there is nothing inappropriate or messy that is visible in the background.

Be Courteous to Conference Participants

Since you are in a virtual environment, your attitude is judged by how well you behave, extend your courtesy to all the participants. Greet the audience before the formal discussion begins and sign off on a polite note at the end according to Inc’s website. Interviewers and others like having participants who do not act up just because it’s not a physical conversation.

Speak Clearly and Confidently

Your facial expression and voice are all that your audience looks at, so speak clearly without mumbling or shouting. If you are mumbling half the people will be unable to understand and if you are shouting your point across, well it is highly disruptive and counterproductive.

Limit Your Body Movements

Do not fidget continuously and limit body movements, it shows anxiety and nervousness. Nobody wants to hear from someone who is insecure about their work.

Do Not Interrupt

Do not interrupt others while they are speaking, a good speaker is also a good listener. Interrupting the meeting flow only wastes time, which is a highly valuable commodity. Decorum is to be maintained regardless of the nature of the conversation, mute yourself when others are speaking to avoid any disruption, says Bryan Lovgren, an entrepreneur in the digital world.

Maintain Eye Contact

Just because the person is not in front of you doesn’t mean you can look sideways and talk. Look at the camera and maintain an eye contact, it speaks a lot about you as a person and puts the other person at ease since he or she knows that you are interested in the conversation, and it is not one-way.

 No Side Conversation

Do not have a private or side conversation with others who are physically present with you, as it is highly inappropriate and distracting. It also shows your lack of interest and agitates the participants in your video conference.

Dress for the Occasion

Do not sit for a business meeting in casual clothes. It may be a virtual meeting, but it is still a meeting regardless of the communication medium. Dressing up shows that the meeting matters, and helps you come across as a proper professional.

To sum it up, video conferencing is a great tool for meetings and project work since it eliminates the distance barrier. It has a great number of uses, but it should not completely replace the face-to-face conversations when they are feasible, as physical meetings are required every once in a while to maintain proper flow.