When you get online for a video call, of course you want it to go well. You hope that other participants bring their A game, and expect you will as well. After all, considering how many times you’ve shone at a virtual meeting, why would you expect any less from yourself?
Even if you enter a video conference with great confidence and optimism, you still need to be aware of what has the potential to trip you up. Once that awareness is present, you should have little trouble putting forth winning online meeting platform appearances.
Now, let’s take a look at five (avoidable!) things that could harm your video call performance:
Being Self-Conscious
No matter how self-assured you might be, there will be those days in which something feels off. You are having trouble delivering your thoughts clearly; the shirt you chose looked better in the mirror than it does on-screen; and that blemish on your cheek seems to be getting worse by the moment.
Putting too much thought into mild, imperfect situations will negatively alter your focus and make you stumble throughout the virtual meeting. At these times, consider the fact that everyone on the call has had days like the one you are having. Thus, being self-conscious here will prove to be a useless, energy-draining activity.
Dominating the Conversation
It is one thing to lead the conversation during a live video chat online, it’s another to turn it into an extended monologue with no room for other attendees to interject. While you may think what you are contributing to this team meeting is invaluable, others on the call will be less impressed.
When someone receives an invite to a video call, they expect to have an opportunity to contribute. Otherwise, why would they be there?
Be cognizant of that, and allow everyone a fair chance to chime in.
Not Having an Agenda
Even if you love to freewheel in staff meetings, not everyone involved likes to live their lives that way. Upon receiving a video call invitation, recipients like to know what the gathering will be about, how long it will be, as well as what they need to bring to the table.
Having an agenda drawn up not only helps attendees prepare themselves accordingly, but it also keeps a meeting on-track and could potentially save it from running longer than necessary.
Winging a Presentation
Now, if you have a good amount of notice that you will be giving a presentation during a video conference, do not improvise. For others in the room to take what you are presenting seriously, they want to see that you are approaching it that way as well.
Gather all necessary research in advance and commit it to memory. If memorization isn’t your strong suit, create neatly organized notes. What’s more, know how to successfully conduct a presentation upon the company’s video chat app of choice. No one has the time, or interest, in watching you fiddle around with a tech glitch, or listen to a pitch that has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese.
Distracting Surroundings
Whether you are at home, on a business trip, or working from a remote location near your residence, always participate in a video call from a place that is distraction free.
For instance, get yourself into a quiet room – or even your parked car – and give those in the virtual meeting your undivided attention. If you instead choose to join a call from inside a Starbucks, there is a high likelihood that you, plus other team meeting attendees, will be distracted by all the noises and visual distractions that a bustling eatery can create.
Banty offers video conferencing solutions for Business, Enterprise, Medical Practice, Virtual Event, and Personal use. Tap here to learn about our pricing options, as well as the 14-day free trial available to all new customers.
