Etiquette for Successful Video Conferencing

Etiquette in video conferencing is something that most professionals expect, especially those who communicate in their specific field.

By definition, etiquette is the procedure or conduct needed by good breeding or as prescribed by the authority to be followed in official or social life.

Thus, when you speak of video conferencing etiquette, it means having the knowledge on how to act during video conferences.

Difference between Video Chat and Video Conferencing

There is a stark difference between video chat and video conferencing as well as knowing when and how to use each of them.

Video chat is often meant for informal or casual social gatherings when family members or friends chat with one another.  On the other hand, video conferencing is as what its name implies, taking part in a conference through video.

Video conferencing often involves several persons who have a meeting and are working on one common goal, typically in relation to business. When you are in a conference with other people, you will surely like to appear as if you are physically present in the same room.

Video Conferencing Etiquette Tips to Remember

Proper etiquette during video conferences goes way beyond wearing the right clothes. This also pertains to background, speech, personal appearance, and more.

Below is a short list of several simple yet important things you have to pay attention to when you are in a video conference. Following one or all of these can make a big difference between a successful conference and a failed one.

• Pay close attention to your background – It will never be pleasing when those on the other end of the conference had to stare at the glaring sun coming through the window at your back, or notice the unmade bed right behind you.
• When you talk, look straight into the camera – If you ever experienced having a video conference with someone, you surely know how disconnected it can be when the other person is not giving you any eye contact.
• Try not to play on your phone, bite your nails, yawn, put your head down, and other unnecessary actions. – During video conferences, non-verbal communication tend to be magnified and noticed easily.
• Avoid eating – Eating is distracting both visually and even by audio particularly when the listeners are using professional audio systems.
• Don’t wear bright colors or striped clothing – These can cause glaring effects on the camera.
• When using your PC, keep a good distance away from the camera – It can be distracting to see your whole face taking up the entire space of the screen.
• Wear proper clothing as you will dress for personal meetings.
• Cancel any background noise – Nothing is as frustrating as trying to say something over loud noises for others to hear you or for you to catch what they are saying.
• Speak articulately and loudly = This way, everyone will be able to hear your voice at the same time, especially if they are also dealing with background noise themselves.

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