Video has made a big impact on our means of communication these days. With Skype, FaceTime, webcams and various apps that allow us to send videos, video phones have become our reality. Aside from social interaction, it has also infiltrated our business communication. More and more, companies are collaborating via video conference with partners across the country, overseas, or even within the office. It’s becoming more common to conduct meetings and conference calls over video phones. With that said, knowing the proper etiquette and appropriate behavior for these video interactions, be it a meeting or even an interview, is critical. Keep these tips in mind to present your best self.

Know your equipment.

If you have never used your video device before, be sure to get familiar with it before your big day. By becoming familiar with your equipment early, this will allow you to correct any issues before the meeting. Also, it will save you the embarrassment if something doesn’t work. You waste everyone’s time if you are busy trying to solve a technical problem while on the call.

Position the camera for an optimal view.

No matter your setting, a suitable camera angle will add to the quality of the meeting. Preview the image and adjust accordingly. A common issue is that people sit too far from the camera. Be sure to sit close enough so you can be seen and heard adequately. Beware of background light as it may wash out the picture. And remember, this is a professional interaction – posture and body language are important. With that said…

Be presentable.

You may be participating in this conference call from home, but that doesn’t mean you can dress and act that way. Dress as if you were going to an actual meeting in an office and were going to meet people in person. The technology may have changed but professionalism should remain the same.

Focus on the call.

Keep your attention on the meeting. There may be distractions around you but do your best to avoid them and stay engaged in the conversation. Your eyes should remain on the screen unless you need to take notes or attend to something related to the conversation. Remember, not only are you watching them, but they’re watching you too.

Know when it’s appropriate to mute.

Since these conferences can be conducted remotely, there may be a lot of background noise where you are. If you aren’t speaking and background noise exists, be sure to mute. Also remember to turn it off when you need to speak.

Disconnect completely when finished.

After the conference or meeting has completed, remember to disconnect from the call properly. Double check that you’ve hung up and disconnected completely. Also, log out and close any applications related to the call.

Take these tips into consideration for your next video conference call. Soon enough, video conference calls will become the standard.

For great video phones or conference phones, visit us at Startechtel.com. Browse our selection online or give us a call at 1-800-564-8045. You can find us on our social networks as well – Twitter, Facebook and Google+.