IMPORTANT NOTE: During 2024 and 2025 we will be limiting our focus to existing clients only. Currently we will only be traveling to a client’s location for training programs of 8 or more participants. For individual and small groups, we will be providing our coaching and training services virtually via Zoom. Learn More
Virtual Meetings are now a permanent part of business communications. If you are not turning on your camera during a virtual meeting, you are not taking advantage of the technology and you will appear to be only half showing up for the meeting. Virtual meetings and presentations will continue to evolve and soon all meetings will include a virtual audience as well as an in-person audience which can be a challenging environment for presenters.
Pope Communications virtual communications coaching is key to ensure our clients are “camera ready”.
In a virtual meeting the presenter is transitioning from a 3-dimensional environment to the 2-dimensional virtual environment which can reduce overall effectiveness and ability to deliver a presentation with impact. Becoming “camera ready” means enhancing the visual as well as maximizing the opportunity to engage the audience and maintain their attention.
We provide real time recording and feedback during our virtual training sessions so participants can practice and see immediate results.
Pope Communications offers virtual coaching in the following areas:
For meetings with large groups of people, you must ensure that the technology works and troubleshoot in advance. If possible, set up a test meeting in advance with the key presenters and test the screen share. Practice the presentations online for each other to ensure a seamless team approach.
If you can find one, purchase a higher quality webcam. Most webcams on laptops or desktops are not positioned well and often the quality is lacking. An external camera can be positioned so it is at eye level or slightly higher which is more flattering. If you want to look your best, a high-quality external camera can help a lot however many of them are sold out because of the increase in working from home.
Take the time to find the best background for your camera shot. Pull up your video setting and check the boxes for “Enable HD” and “Touch up my Appearance”. Make sure your background is not cluttered and that you are not backlit by windows. Avoid as much distraction in the background as possible. Virtual backgrounds look artificial and can be distracting. Some of them even look unprofessional.
If you have to look too far left or right to view the other participants, you will not appear to be talking to them directly. You will be looking away from your camera and not have good eye contact. You can position the video of participants typically with the control in the upper right corner where you can choose “gallery view”, “full-screen view”, or other options.
It is harder to keep the audience engaged during virtual meetings. People fatigue after a couple of hours and distractions like email and other messages can interfere. Some clients of ours have said they’ve been stuck in 4 and 6-hour meetings which are way too long. You must give people a break. Have an agenda and stick to it. Finish up discussions and make decisions then wrap up. Your team will be much more productive!