EAE News
7 tips for making professional video calls in the age of coronavirus
08 de May de 2020
Lighting, attitude and empathy
The lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic has forced a huge advance in digital transformation, leading to a big rise in the use of all online communication mechanisms. One of the most widely used tools is video calls, thanks to their efficacy and speed. There are now hundreds of platforms for making these calls and an ever-increasing number of people using them. However, few people stop to think about the points that make a professional video call a really satisfactory experience.
If you would like to find out what these points are and discover how to take full advantage of this technology, check out this summary of the online conference led by the lecturer on EAE’s Master in Design Thinking José Vicente Pérez, as we look one by one at the tips he gave on the session on LinkedIn Live.
1. Technical checks beforehand
With an accessible and fun approach, José Vicente Pérez explained that video calls are made up of details and, while few people pay much attention to these points, ultimately, they are crucial to achieving a successful digital conversation.
To start off, he explained that it is necessary to carry out technical checks beforehand. Checking the audio, images and videos to be broadcast, being familiar with the platform you are using, and running camera tests are all crucial requirements before making a video call. In the case of this session, he explained that he had done several tests with the EAE team days in advance to ensure that everything would run smoothly.
2. Lighting
Likewise, lighting is very important when you are on camera, as it lets the others see you better and understand everything that you are talking about more thoroughly during the call. Pérez emphasized that the light should not be directly above you or to the side. In fact, we should do everything we can to achieve a soft, even light that illuminates the whole area shown on screen equally.
“Nowadays, you can build cheap, effective lighting kits, which is a good investment if you often make video calls”, advised the expert. In addition, he recommended using natural night as much as possible.
3. Check the angle
As well as the light, another key factor is the camera angle. All the prior checks and good lighting will not count for anything if the angle of the camera does not let the audience see the speaker well. “We have to place the camera to replicate the eye level we would have in a face-to-face conversation. Nobody should appear higher or lower on the screen”, emphasized Pérez.
Moreover, he advised asking for someone’s help to check the camera angle from another device to ensure that none of your face is being chopped off.
4.How should we appear?
Fourthly, the communication advisor discussed our appearance in front of the camera. On this point, he emphasized the importance of sitting up straight and showing the right attitude. “It is really important to remember that we are on a professional video call so, even though we are at home, we have to maintain a professional attitude”.
Moreover, he mentioned that we should also make sure that we are comfortable, as some calls and conferences can last hours. Therefore, it is essential that we are comfortable enough to perform and achieve the goal of conveying the message we want to convey effectively. Our clothing is also important because it does not just show who we are, but also who we represent.
5. What’s behind you?
“The things in the background also say something about us, and not always in a good way”, explained the lecturer. Therefore, he advised using a neutral, preferably white backdrop, which conveys the professional mindset that motivates concentration.
6. Avoid distractions
Distractions must be avoided at all costs and not only in terms of objects in the background, but also noises that may be made by your mobile, pets or even your kids. Although the lockdown does not make it easy to avoid distractions, if we take timely precautions, we can avoid this kind of situation:
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7. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it
Last but not least, Pérez focuses on verbal communication, recommending that we speak “with a smile”. He clarified that this does not mean literally having a smile on our face as we speak, but rather speaking softly with a didactic rather than bossy tone, understanding that people need us to give them empathy at the moment, not lessons. “Like most crises, the current situation represents an opportunity. A video call enables us to reach lots of people, enter lots of homes, and get lots of people all over the world to listen to us, so we have to take full advantage”. The lecturer then brought the session to a close after an hour of enjoyable and very active conversation with dozens of participants.