Making a positive first impression is critical in any situation. Whether it’s a business meeting, live event or online video, your appearance and delivery is key to your success. Now, with vast improvements in video quality it’s become the norm to watch webcasts or meet and greet each other on one of the many video platforms, including: WebEx, Skype, ooVoo, Google Hangouts, Ustream, Livestream, Qik, and many more. With all the technology, the simple rules of proper etiquette when using these tools become more important than ever. Making sure you sure you have good lighting and sound is not enough. According to Lisa Gaché, Co-Founder and CEO of etiquette education company Beverly Hills Manners, the lack of etiquette can derail the effectiveness of a video conference session.
- Pick a facilitator to help manage any over-exuberant participants.
- Ask permission if you wish to record a video chat. Privacy is expected until consent is given otherwise
- Pay attention and listen – if you try to fake it, you’ll be caught.
- Acknowledge the power of your body language – avoid personal gestures such as hair playing, scratching, picking, etc…
- Remember you are meeting face to face on clear video, so remain aware of your facial expressions and monitor them so you send the right message.
- Don’t eat or drink during a business video conference call.
- Think about your environment and background
In summary, you have to be aware of what you look and sound like, and what your environment says about you.
