If the pandemics taught us one thing, it is how important effective communication to the sustainability and health of a company is. Great communication is the foundation of a great business presentation.
In the past many businesses already communicated online, mostly via email and text messages. Video conferences were possible, but not the norm.
All that was changed by a global health pandemic.
This is when video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Skype, MS-Teams and others really took off. These apps provided vital communiction means for people who work remotely from home.
Businesses that used to rely on in-person meetings also started using video conferencing tools as a new way to keep in touch with their clients and to pitch services and products to new clients.
First impressions are important
It doesn’t matter how new you are to someone, a good first impression is important.
This is especially true when meeting customers online during video conferences. It’s in this first interaction that their opinions of you and your services are formed.
- Are you friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful to others?
- Do you give them the impression you are trustworthy enough to do what is best for them?
A great first impression is key to a long-lasting business relationship. Bad first impressions can create a negative image that you might never be able change. We have six tips for for making a great first impression during video conferences:
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- Dress for the occasion. If the occasion requires formal attire, you can dress casually in business casual. Your appearance is what your client first sees. A collared shirt or solid colored sweater are always acceptable. Both are not distracting and give off the impression that you have put some effort into your appearance. Looking somehow disorganized created a negative impression of you – you don’t want to do that.
- Select a suitable background. Often, when you meet with a client or colleague over coffee or in a conference room, you aren’t paying much attention to what’s going on behind you. This is an important detail to remember when meeting someone via video call. You want to choose a space that’s not too cluttered or busy. A solid background with natural lighting is the best. You can hide your location by using an artifical background if you don’t have a suitable space. Lighting is an important aspect in this context. If you have natural light, it is the best option. Make sure that your primary light source doesn’t come from behind.
- Talk to the camera. Many people look at their screens while on video calls. You must remember that you are speaking with the person on the other side of the webcam. This means that you don’t look into their eyes when you view the image on your screen. Effective communication requires eye contact. It makes you more trustworthy and shows that you are paying attention to the person you are speaking with. Good eye contact is essential when making first impressions. So, instead of looking at your client’s image during video calls, speak directly to the camera. It will look and feel to them as if you were looking in their eyes.
- Mute your microphone when you are not talking. Even though everyone with a family knows how difficult it can be to work remotely, you don’t want your meeting to be disrupted by noises from your surroundings. It is important to know how to turn off your microphone during your meeting to keep unwanted sounds out. Make sure you are in a quiet area during the call. Engage the mute function if another person is speaking so that they don’t hear any unexpected sounds. Listening is an essential part of any business presentation. It’s hard to listen if you are distracted by the noises around you while on a conference call.
- Don’t forget that you’re on camera. It’s difficult for people to understand your non-verbal cues when you aren’t sitting right next to you. During video conferences, their view of you is often limited to your head, shoulders and neck. It is important to be more intentional with your gestures and to make them visible in front of the camera. Some users sometimes forget that they are in full view of other participants. They can see what you are doing, such as eating, looking away from the camera, or being distracted by something else. Place your camera so that your eyes are centered on the screen. Clear away any distractions and give the caller your full attention.
- Interactive Online Business Cards. Sharing contact information is the domain of busines cards. However, b
- efore and during video conferences, you won’t be able to exchange physical business cards. Therefore you need a digital version of your business card that you can share online. qcard is a tool that does just that: it is your interactive business card that let’s you share all the needed information with one tap.
Make a great first impression online
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can make a great first impression during video conferences. Remember to speak directly into your webcam and give a friendly, professional business presentation right from your computer. Share you digita business card – that’s the new normal.
Get in touch with us to learn how to prepare best for online meetings.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
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