Managers should prepare their video appearances carefully so as not to send out the wrong signals.
Photo: David Pereiras – shutterstock.com
It can happen so quickly: video conferences and online events are now an integral part of the corporate culture. Managers should plan their video conferencing appearances particularly carefully. We give you seven tips to help you shine in your next online meeting.
1. Anyone who does video conferencing is watching television
Video conferences are even more about attention than face-to-face formats. The English say “To Pay Attention”, you don’t get attention, it’s a hard currency. One of the most important findings of all: video conferences are an optical format. Anyone who does video conferences is doing television. 30 minutes of frontal sound? Forget it. 30 minutes of presentation only on the soundtrack? Already lost.
When preparing your content, constantly think about the eyes of your participants: Which terms do you show in the background and when so that the participants always know what you are talking about? Which image keeps your participants’ attention high, what keeps them awake? Tip: Over the next few days, look at how much effort is being put into conveying information on television: background images, overlays, media changes – a good benchmark.
2. PowerPoint is strong, but you are stronger
“How do I present PowerPoint slides? What part of the video conference can/should they have?” is always a question. And the answer is always the same: nothing has changed. PowerPoint is and remains an image display program. The program is intended to support you in conveying your messages, but not to replace you as a speaker. In other words, if Bill Gates had wanted PowerPoint to be a text program, he wouldn’t have invented Word.
Simple rule of thumb for using PowerPoint slides in video conferences: only when they really make sense. So no supervised reading (one reads out loud, the others read along quietly), no Morse code Arial font size eight and certainly no bullet point battlefields. Your personality is the biggest enthusiasm factor and should be seen in full screen as often as possible.
3. Hand-width space above your head
Check whether the upper body/screen ratio is correct. Are you sitting too far away from the camera and even the trained eye of the participant can no longer recognize your facial expressions? Or maybe you’re too close and your head hits the top of the screen or even gets cut off a little? The sailors say “a hand’s breadth of water under the keel”, the rule of thumb for video conferences is: “a hand’s breadth of space above your head”.
4. Come on, let’s glue!
It is important to handle the camera confidently. It is the direct connection to the participants and establishes trust. Look into the lens as often as possible. Easy to say, because there is a small problem with video conferences: Many people look spellbound at their own image on the screen while speaking and thereby lose eye contact with the participants. Keep looking for the camera. Look the camera in the eye as hard as you would look someone in the eye. That exudes security. Marietta Slomka looks at you in the “heute journal” when she talks to you. Claus Kleber too. Little life hack: Stick a small post-it note with a big arrow next to the camera eye so that you are constantly reminded: Here you go.
5. Voice is power
The voice is a powerful instrument. It often determines whether you come across as confident and competent. Successful leaders lead with their voice. Do you speak powerfully and are you easy to understand? What’s the tone? Are there disturbing background noises? Does it echo in the room? Don’t mumble, speak loudly and clearly, be articulate. Pay attention to the correct speaking pace and the melody of your sentences. Use loud accents and then switch back to normal volume. Play with your voice, train it. Additional consideration: an external microphone.
6. The magic word is “now!”
Let’s not kid ourselves: your participants could theoretically fall asleep and you wouldn’t even notice if they turned the screen black beforehand. Keep it interactive! Use the chat for queries or pick someone specifically from the field of participants and ask them a question directly. Bring an expert into the video conference live. Invite the participants to dialogue and join in the discussion. Lifehack: If you want to increase the likelihood that someone will actually ask a question or join in the discussion, use the word “now.” Start with the words “Your questions for me on the topic of XY, please now” or “Your personal opinion, please now”.
(hk/fm)
