Are you a remote employee or take a lot of video meetings from the road? You wouldn’t show up to the office looking less than your best, so why should a video meeting be any different? Here are 19 pro tips to look your best on your next video call.
Choose A Neutral Background
Select a simple, uncluttered background to ensure the focus stays on you. A plain wall or a neatly organized bookshelf works well. Avoid backgrounds that are too busy or distracting.
Opt For Natural Lighting
Position yourself facing a window or in a well-lit room to get natural light on your face. Natural light is flattering and avoids harsh shadows. If natural light isn’t available, consider a soft ring light.
Dress Professionally
Wear what you would typically wear to the office. Solid colors look best on camera and avoid patterns that can distract or create a moiré effect. Keep your appearance neat.
Turn Off Notifications
Before your meeting starts, disable pop-up notifications on your computer and phone to avoid distractions. This keeps you focused and prevents unexpected interruptions that could disrupt the flow of your conversation.
Work From A Quiet Room
Choose a room where you can close the door and minimize outside noise. This ensures that your audio is clear and free from disturbances, allowing you to communicate more effectively with your team.
Follow The Agenda
Stick to a predefined meeting agenda to keep discussions on track and efficient. This shows respect for everyone’s time and helps ensure that all necessary topics are covered without the meeting dragging on unnecessarily.
Frame Yourself Properly
Your camera should be at eye level and you should be centered on the screen. Make sure your head and shoulders are visible. This simulates direct eye contact with your viewers.
Check Your Camera Quality
Use a good quality webcam that provides clear and sharp images. External webcams often offer better quality than built-in ones. Ensure the lens is clean before your meeting.
Maintain Good Posture
Sit upright and avoid slouching. Good posture conveys confidence and ensures you look engaged. It also helps with your breathing and speaking.
Use Minimal And Natural Makeup
Apply makeup as you might for a day at the office. Keep it light and natural, focusing on a neat appearance. This helps enhance your features subtly on camera.
Mind Your Angles
Tilt the camera as needed to avoid low angles that can be unflattering. Your camera should be positioned slightly above your eye level and tilted downward for the most flattering angle.
Test Your Equipment
Before the meeting, do a quick test run to check your audio and video. This helps prevent last-minute issues and ensures everything is working smoothly.
Avoid Multitasking
Resist the urge to check emails or browse the web during video calls. Concentrating solely on the meeting not only shows respect to others but also improves your active participation and alertness.
Optimize Internet Connection
Ensure a stable connection by using a wired internet connection or being close to your Wi-Fi router. Avoid delays and poor video quality that can detract from your appearance.
Smile And Show Confidence
Smiling can be infectious and helps set a positive tone. Maintain an approachable and confident demeanor, which enhances your likeability and engagement.
Use Gestures Sparingly
Natural gestures can help convey your points, but be mindful of overdoing it. Too much movement can be distracting and disrupt the visual flow of the meeting.
Practice Speaking Clearly
Speak at a moderate pace and enunciate clearly. This ensures that all participants can understand you without difficulty, especially in a digital format.
Prepare Your Notes Well
If you need to refer to notes, keep them close to the camera to maintain the illusion of eye contact. This keeps you prepared and ensures you don’t look away too often.
Take Regular Breaks
If you’re in back-to-back meetings, take short breaks to stretch, rest your eyes, and relax. This keeps you fresh and alert on camera, which makes a big difference in how engaged you appear.