Following Virtual Team Meeting Etiquette (Eye Contact)

Speaking Clearly and Making Eye Contact
Videoconferencing technology has improved greatly, but it’s still a good idea to speak slowly, articulate your words clearly, and don’t interrupt. When there are nonnative speakers on the call, slowing down and speaking clearly is even more important. Keep in mind that if you have a decent microphone, you don’t need to yell — your normal speaking volume should be fine.

Great presenters know that making direct eye contact when speaking or presenting is the most powerful way to engage others and reinforce your point. When it’s your turn to speak, be sure to look into your camera, not at the smiling faces of your clients or colleagues on the screen. It takes a while to get used to looking into a little black dot and it can be challenging to focus on consistently during a meeting, but when you look at the camera, you look more natural. Plus, looking into the camera helps you connect with others much more effectively and increases your impact.
Most videoconferencing tools provide opportunities to participate in the meeting without interrupting the speaker. Things like using a chat window to comment on what’s being said, sharing an emoji to react to a presentation, or “raising your hand” to ask a question are all ways you can engage in the meeting. These tools are even more important if the meeting brings together people meeting in-person and people dialing in.

Another great option is to record the meeting. It’s a great way to minimize the need to take notes, so everyone can participate fully and you know you can share the recording later or have it transcribed for the group. Plus, you can share the recording with team members who couldn’t attend.
Many new computers and laptops come with cameras and mics already installed. But not all tech tools are created equal. If you’re not confident that your current webcam and mic are up to the task of daily video calls, investing in new technology is probably a good idea. Purchasing an aftermarket webcam or microphone can give your video and audio a significant boost in quality.

Consider the following when shopping for a webcam:

» Resolution: The lower the resolution, the grainer you’ll look onscreen.

» Frame rate: Webcams without high frame rates produce images that periodically freeze on the screen. If you’re planning to stream video, look for a minimum of 15 frames per second (fps).

» Autofocus: This feature can help refocus you on the screen if you tend to move around a lot when presenting or speaking.

» Compatibility: Be sure that the webcam you’re considering runs on your operating system.

Microphone considerations include the following:

» Price: Depending on what you plan to do for work, a simple USB microphone that plugs right into your laptop will most likely do the trick. However, if you’ll be recording regular videos, podcasts, and interviews, investing in a high-quality microphone such as the Blue Yeti (www.bluedesigns.com/products/ yeti) may be your best choice.

» Plug-and-play option: Most likely, you want a microphone that is simple and that you can use right out of the box by just plugging it into your computer. Then all you have to do is select the microphone as the audio option when you’re participating in a call or videoconference.

» Size: If you don’t want your microphone to appear in your conference calls, choose a small and portable mic that plugs into your computer. This also makes it easily portable for travel.

Source: Working From Home by Tara Powers, MS, et al.