How to look great on video calls?

The outbreak of pandemic COVID-19 across the world has led everyone to stay at home and maintain social distancing. This sudden change in everyone’s life created unprecedented isolation and to overcome this situation millions of people across the world has started exploring and moving towards digital means of communication to interact with their friends, family members and their colleagues who are separated far away in these lock down periods.

Every day we commute to our workplace to perform our work but these lock downs redefined our way of working, where home becomes our work environment. If we are working remotely, how do we connect with our co-workers and colleagues at the same time? Video calling is the best way of being in touch with peers wherever they are. Face to face meetings online allow us to have better communication with our colleagues or business partners.

In this modern era, video call has become an essential part of everyone’s life and it increasingly influences our daily business and personal communications like conducting business meetings with the clients, having job interviews online, chitchatting with our family and friends when they are physically separated.

Thanks to the development in technology which makes our video calls easier & smoother. The ultimate goal of Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts is to connect everyone, anytime and anywhere across the globe via video calls. Because of these video calling technologies, even when we are far away, it makes our life easier while trying to connect with our fellow colleagues just like when we were sitting at office.

“The World has become much smaller because of video conferencing, it will continue to be smaller” – Aaron Rubner

Since everyone making use of Zoom most of the time, we need to think how to look good in the internet as we do in person. So, think, How do you look in a video call? Do you look good or bad or unprofessional in a video call? Or do you get distracted by your appearance in the video call? Here are some tips to help you to get rid of from the unpleasant look and to act more professional during a video call.

(1) Get the proper lighting

Lighting is the crucial and primary factor for a good video call and it is mandatory that one should choose correct lighting before joining the video call. Unfortunately, many people failed to choose the proper lighting effect. To look better on video calls, the best recommended option is to use natural or soft light sources for creating healthy & fresh complexion and for brightening your face. One can use multiple light sources behind the Webcam or in front of him / her to look better and attractive. Below are the some of the ideas to avoid during the video call.

• Avoid sitting in front of the window
• Avoid overhead lights because it may create shadows under your eyes
• Avoid glare of the sun on your screen or in your face.
• Avoid hitting all light falling on your back

(2) Right camera Angle

The positioning of your camera have a significant impact in a video call. The camera should capture your face and it should be aligned with your eyes. If you are using a built-in camera  make sure your camera is at the same level as your eyes. Make sure to look into the camera during any video call.

It is recommended to have separate webcam which gives us better control over the angle and position. Try shifting camera perspectives by an angle of 45 degrees because smaller shifts will not create planned effect.

Also, make sure to wipe the camera before commencing any call or meeting. Since the camera may be subjected to dirt and its effect might not be so significant, but it will certainly make a difference.

(3) Choose the right background

During video calls, it is necessary to have a better or right background. Trash and garments hanging behind you will make the attendees / colleagues uncomfortable during the call. Make sure to use clean background or use a tidy wall behind you as your background. Also, make sure to provide enough space between your body and the background. Fortunately, there are many video conferencing platforms that offers us to choose the desired backgrounds.

(4) Be dressed and presentable

Though your whole body is not visible in a video call you should wake up and dress nicely and professionally while taking a call from home. One should feel more confident in their outfit during a video call and the person who is at the opposite side will definitely keep a close eye on what you wear. Usually, preferable colors would be solid, warm colors that looks good rather than dull, shiny, too-bright or reflective colors. Avoid wearing night suits or pajamas or tracks, fabrics with distracting patterns or stripes during a video call.

(5) Avoid distractions

While working from home, most of us don’t have control over audio and can get easily distracted by the sounds from the surrounding environment. In case of internal meetings, it might seem casual because our colleagues won’t mind for barking dogs or screaming child whereas in case of call with our clients it matters a lot. The best solution for this problem is to turn off all unnecessary gadgets, applications or any other possible distraction. Also, avoid distractions from the other person, choose a separate or isolated meeting room and also put a phrase like “DON’T DISTURB – IN MEETING”.

(6) Proper internet connection

Poor internet connection will often disconnect us from the meeting. Usually, this issue arises when one uses a Wireless connection or the Wi-Fi signal which is not strong and stable enough. Try hosting the video calls using a strong, high-speed internet connection. Avoid using shared internet users because it creates bandwidth issues.

Also, make sure to close all the programs that runs behind since it may interfere with the bandwidth that is necessary to maintain a high-quality call and is not advisable to download other files while in a video call. The best solution for this connectivity issue is to use a wired Ethernet cable that gives us more stability to the internet connectivity problems.

(7) Making eye contact and Posture

While delivering a speech in front of large audiences in an auditorium, eye contact plays a vital role, similarly it is also a prime factor in video calls. Make sure to look at the camera, in order to make eye contact. Also, it allows people to see you as an honest, trustworthy and confident person. Avoid looking at the screen or looking away from camera because it will appear that you are looking down, disinterested or unengaged with meeting rather than listening.

Be careful with your postures while in a video call because the person who are at the opposite end will see your small variations in posture. The best posture is to sit straight and erect that helps you to be more energized and enthusiastic.

(8) Audio for video calls

Audio matters!

Relying on your computer’s audio input and output might create some issues because of the background noise. Using a headphone will limit the issue caused by the surrounding noise. Also, make sure to put your microphone on mute when you are not speaking. Else others will get distracted by the sounds from your end.

(9) Test run

Make sure to test all the equipments before commencing a meeting or a video call. Also, make sure to keep backup equipment ready in case of any failure of the equipment in a video call. Try using video preview to check and adjust brightness, angle, video, surroundings and light qualities before starting the call.

The above listed things are some of the rules and tips for effective remote communication. Here are some more etiquette that everyone should know and follow before joining a video call.

• Avoid typing when you put your mic on unmuted option. Because typing distracts the other person who are in the call. Mute your side before you type or doing any other activity
• Stop checking emails or opening other applications or web browser when you are in a call
• Don’t step out or move away while in a call
• Do keep all the necessary things like headphones, Pen, Notes, chargers, water bottle etc near you
• Prepare well for any meeting before joining the call
• Make sure to keep agenda / preparation notes preferably a printout
• Avoid combing or adjusting your hair too frequently

To conclude, video call has become an important element of today’s business world and it allows one to communicate more easily and effectively. Hope everyone can look good and more professional in your next video calls.