10 Ways to Improve Your Video/Skype Conference Call

10 Ways to Improve Your Video/Skype Conference Call

 #1: Appear Professional.

Prepare for a video conference as you would for an in-person meeting. This means that you
should avoid inappropriate attire and neglect your grooming and personal hygiene.  Look at dressing 
colours that suit your complexion and maturity.  Perhaps do a test video and ask your significant other
to provide feedback. 

#2: Neatness: Company is Coming-Avoid the messy or inappropriate background.

Much like your own personal appearance which should be polished and professional, the
place where you’re meeting from should also mirror that look. Choose a place that looks clean
and neat, and free from interruptions. Take away all the extra stuff and have  the camera perspective have a  view of  yourself,  desk 
and surrounding area without any clutter.  

#3: Showing up early for the video conference.

So there are no excuses for showing up late to the video conference. Since you will be
appearing on video, avoid looking rushed or flustered, and project a cool, calm and collected
image.Making it a point to sit in front of your computer at least 10 minutes ahead of the video
conference usually helps. Then, you can look over the final preparations for the meeting, 

# 4 Body Posture

A good idea is to sit in a chair that forces you to sit erect and attentive.  Your body language
can communicate how interested you are in the meeting.  We all have desk chairs which  we 
rock or sway back and forth.   Short answer  DONT
 

#5 Avoid Inappropriate body language 

Your body language is a powerful tool to communicate to the audience   Watch other videos 
and critique their body language and do a test with a friend using Super Tin Tin or  Google Hangout 

Here is some examples and you can interpret the rest of the column.

Doing This:                                                Might Mean This:                          

Clenched jaw                                                 Anger, stress 

Eyebrows raised                                             Surprise, curiositsy

Fidgety movements                                         Nervousness

Clenched fists 

Fixed smile 

Head tilted 

Hands open, palms out 

Narrowed eyes

Pursed lips 

Slumping posture 

Wringing hands 
Add more ..... 

#6  Avoid Inappropriate Manners

Mind your manners at all times while on camera; e.g., don't eat or chew gum, eating lunch, 
during your video conference. Also try to avoid yawning, crossing your arms, looking from side
to side or rocking your chair
Avoid the use of profanity.
Remember that you are on video and even if you aren’t one of the main speakers in the meeting,
people could be paying attention to you. It helps to think that since you are on camera, people are
watching, so you should avoid any embarrassing behavior at all costs.

#7: Avoid Working on something else during the video conference.

It’s very tempting to tune out and work on something else when a topic that seems irrelevant
to you is being discussed. Remember that not only can people hear you typing, but on a video
conference they can also see it. So avoid appearing inconsiderate and impolite, and pay
attention to the video conference at all times while it’s going on. Keep in mind that you never
know when you’ll be asked for your input, so it’s best to just stay focused on the meeting at all
times to avoid being caught doing something else

#8  Lighting

The amount of lighting can directly impact the quality of the video conference.  Many times people
have their cameras pointed at a window with the drapes wide open    This produces  a wash out of
of the video and whitebalancing isn't possible.  

Example  One  A  window on the  left as an example of  excessive light that could impact your  video conference call

Example Two  of  overhead lighting  distraction or overly bright glare

To do List 

• Close drapes
• Check for light levels, Not too light or too dark
• Turn on room lights
• Check position of camera to overhead light
• Avoid glare

#9  Microphone

A microphone on your laptop, a lavalier or a hand held dynamic microphone can greatly impact the sound quality.
Also the conditions of the room can impact the recording, ie. street noise, dogs barking, radio, computer fan
telephone ringing. 

A cheap microphone produces horrible results. 

To do List

• We recommend you do a test with a friend to see if the mic you are using is clear, no hiss and no background noise
• Purchase a good microphone with a USB plug in  
• Record in full stereo
• Put your cell phone on vibrate
• Shut your office door 

Examples of good microphones

Samson C01 Studio Condenser Mic

http://www.thepodcasthost.com/blog/the-best-podcasting-microphones-on-the-market/

#10  Video Camera 

Another major flaw is the use of a substandard video camera and the settings set at low to produce the lowest video quality
The position of the camera can also impact the results  

To do List 

• Purchase a better quality camera
• Set the camera settings at 1080P
• Position the camera properly so yourself, background etc is pleasing

Examples of good cameras

http://shop.skype.com/intl/en-ca/webcams/

Logitech Camera Model 

End Note

Author:  Glenn McKnight