How To Make Zoom Calls Look More Professional
Video conferencing was already a common form of communication in the world of business before the pandemic hit, but it has become even more popular during the last year. It is one of the most convenient ways of communicating with coworkers, and also for personal use too – catching up with friends and family members.
First impressions always count, and keeping a professional appearance is really important even if you aren’t physically meeting the other person. We have put some tips together on how to make Zoom calls look more professional, whether you are working from home or from a virtual office. Of course, our tips are true for any platform such as Microsoft Teams.
Choose Your Work Environment Carefully
Where you decide to work from is extremely important, whether your setup is temporary or permanent. You need to find somewhere that is going to boost your productivity (so your bedroom probably isn’t going to be the best choice). Ideally, you should set up an office in a spare bedroom if you have one, but if not choose the best place in your house that has limited distractions. Your work environment should be peaceful and quiet if those are the conditions that you work best in.
Your Home Office Should Be Professional
Remember that when your webcam is turned on everyone will be able to see the environment behind you. This means you should try and keep objects in the background to a minimum. This will reduce the chance of your audience being distracted. It also keeps things more professional if you have a blank wall behind you, rather than your wine cabinet!
Use High-Tech Equipment
There is nothing worse than sitting in a video conference and not being able to hear or clearly see the other person. It is virtually impossible to make Zoom calls look more professional if you don’t have the right kit. Make sure that you have a high-quality microphone and webcam to help give the best impression. Internet connection is also another thing to think about. The last thing you want is your video call to freeze halfway through an important meeting. Not only does it waste time, but you could be missing out on vital information that is being discussed. By using high-tech equipment and platforms, along with a strong internet connection you should be all set.
Plan Your Presentation
If you are presenting to a group of people take time to make sure you are familiar with the video conferencing software in advance. There is nothing more embarrassing than not being able to work out how to use the screen share function. You could end up having to talk through your presentation without any visuals. Even if you manage to screen share properly, virtual presentations need to be even more engaging than in-person presentations. Try to keep your presentation short. People’s attention spans are generally shorter when they have to sit through a video presentation.
Test Your Equipment
This should go without saying, but we decided to add it in any way! Before your meeting, take the time to test all of the equipment that you will be using (such as your webcam & microphone) to make sure that it is all working correctly. Make sure the lighting is also right for your video conference. Too much natural light can cause a glare on your screen, making it hard for you to see everyone else. On the other hand, lack of lighting can make it hard for everyone else to see you.
If you are struggling to carry out professional zoom calls, then a virtual office might be a better option for you. With the option to hire out meeting rooms it can really help to enhance your professional appearance for video conferences. Contact us today for more information by calling 01205 809222.
