Developments in technology have now reached a stage where video conferencing is a mature, usable and stable tool for businesses of all sizes to employ. However, a virtual video meeting offers a far different experience than a real life meeting. When people meet physically, they naturally know how to interact in the best way. Often, when people begin to use video conferencing, they find that these natural communication habits are hard to translate to a virtual environment. Below are some key video conferencing etiquette tips to make your transition from real life meeting to virtual video meeting much easier.
1. Check that you have the right equipment, and that it is functioning properly before the meeting starts. Nothing upsets a video conference more than one of the attendees having equipment problems.
2. Arrive early, so that any potential technical difficulties can be dealt with before the meeting actually starts.
3. Many people new to video conferencing feel they need to shout to be heard. Modern hardware is extremely sensitive, and there is no reason to speak in a false or raised voice, just speak naturally.
4. Get into the habit of looking at your camera and not at the video stream of other video conferencing users when you are speaking. If you look at the camera whilst you speak then you are effectively making eye contact. If you look at the other meeting member's video, then it will appear you are looking elsewhere.
5. Do not be afraid to mute your microphone. If another member of the video conference is speaking for an extended period, such as giving a presentation, or you know that your input will not be required until much later in the meeting, then mute your microphone. This minimizes the chance of you transmitting sounds which could cause a disturbance.
6. Try to avoid interjecting or interrupting a person who is currently speaking. There is often a short delay between broadcasting something from your end and the rest of the attendees receiving it. This makes interjection very confusing, avoid it at all times.
7. Focus your attention on the meeting. It is far easier to become distracted during a video conferencing session than it is in a live meeting environment. Make an effort to keep your concentration on the meeting and avoid being distracted.
These are just a few tips for people new to video conferencing, which will help them become better at communicate with others in a virtual meeting environment.
1. Check that you have the right equipment, and that it is functioning properly before the meeting starts. Nothing upsets a video conference more than one of the attendees having equipment problems.
2. Arrive early, so that any potential technical difficulties can be dealt with before the meeting actually starts.
3. Many people new to video conferencing feel they need to shout to be heard. Modern hardware is extremely sensitive, and there is no reason to speak in a false or raised voice, just speak naturally.
4. Get into the habit of looking at your camera and not at the video stream of other video conferencing users when you are speaking. If you look at the camera whilst you speak then you are effectively making eye contact. If you look at the other meeting member's video, then it will appear you are looking elsewhere.
5. Do not be afraid to mute your microphone. If another member of the video conference is speaking for an extended period, such as giving a presentation, or you know that your input will not be required until much later in the meeting, then mute your microphone. This minimizes the chance of you transmitting sounds which could cause a disturbance.
6. Try to avoid interjecting or interrupting a person who is currently speaking. There is often a short delay between broadcasting something from your end and the rest of the attendees receiving it. This makes interjection very confusing, avoid it at all times.
7. Focus your attention on the meeting. It is far easier to become distracted during a video conferencing session than it is in a live meeting environment. Make an effort to keep your concentration on the meeting and avoid being distracted.
These are just a few tips for people new to video conferencing, which will help them become better at communicate with others in a virtual meeting environment.