All kinds of businesses today use video conferencing in the office. It has become a more formal and personal way of communication when distance is a problem. With video conferencing becoming such a large part of everyday communication, the correct and proper way to go about these conferences and preparing for them is important. Otherwise you could expect an unproductive meeting.
- Doing a test on all the needed equipment. This would involve the obvious setting up of your camera and monitor. Also testing the audio to make sure everything is operating properly. Having all the needed equipment and operating efficiently is very important in making sure a conference is successful.
- Lighting is very important. You can never be sure of the color settings of other’s monitors. So the least you can do is make sure your environment is fair for your camera to pick up. Facing the camera toward a window could be a problem as this can cause a very bad glare. This will cause those seeing you to only see a silhouette. Face your camera so a wall is in the backdrop. This will make sure no unnecessary lighting is shining into the camera.
- You can’t be too sensitive about the audio. What may seem quiet to you, could be rather loud to others on the other end of the call. If you’re speaking into a microphone, do your best to keep all background noises as quiet as possible, if not silent. This could include background noises such as doors opening and closing, papers shuffling, the typing of a keyboard. The same could be expected when on a phone call. The noises could become rather irritable to others on the call. This could make video conferencing outside rather difficult. A good practice is to put yourself on mute while you are not speaking.
- Try to avoid too much movement in front of the camera. The connection of the others on the other end of the call, could be rather weak, leaving them with a lagging video. Remaining in one spot can help keep the video quality running fluidly and the picture clear. It’s usually a good idea to sit at a desk so you are able to take notes and remain stationary, but there are some who choose to move around. Just make sure movement isn’t too quick and that your voice is directed at the microphone.
Video conferencing can be a very convenient and a more intimate way of communication. But communication is only effective by the etiquette the user practices. Use the list above to improve the productivity of your next video conference.
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