Welcome to video communication, Whereby style. Now you're here you're going to be in a video meeting at some point, that probably goes without saying! 😁
So let's check a few things with our camera, our microphone and where we're situated for the meeting to ensure the experience is the best it can be.
It's so easy to grab your laptop, tablet, or phone and join a meeting. But that doesn't always mean the best experience for people you're chatting with. Can they see and hear you clearly? Are there distractions like noises or things around you that it would be better to remove or isolate? You don't need to spend any extra money on equipment, you can make sure the equipment you have is used to its best with these simple points…
- Ensure lighting is in front of you, or to the side. Try not to sit with a light or a window at your back — the camera on your device isn't clever enough to work out it needs to light you, so you'll just be a dark shadow 🔦
- If you can, raise the device up so the camera is at your eye level. This will mean you're not looking down at your co-attendees and has a much more natural feeling 👀
- Minimise distracting backgrounds — plainer is probably better. If you have a particularly interesting bookshelf you can guarantee your fellow attendees will be trying to see what's on it and not paying attention to you 😂
- Try to look at the camera and not the screen. This takes some practice, and feels unnatural at first 😬 In a team meeting it's probably not so important, but for anything customer facing it really adds to your attendees' experience. It feels like you're talking to them and not the screen. Worth persevering with!
- Use headphones. They minimise sound feedback and it's better have a microphone closer to your mouth than on the edge of a device 🎤
These simple tips will help improve the meeting experience for everyone.
https://vimeo.com/443798865?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=5014430