SMILE FOR THE CAMERA

Our simple two step guide to successful video calling

Whether it’s doing a presentation at a virtual conference or Facetiming your auntie you want to look and feel confident. It’s become part of our daily lives. If video calling sends you into a state of panic fear not – our two step guide will help you relax knowing that at least technically everything is set up to show you in your best light. Before you begin, it’s worth thinking about your device (smart phone, tablet, computer etc). The technology may be the same but the outcomes are often different – the most obvious example is the size of the picture and what is being seen by the person on the other end.

STEP ONE: ENVIRONMENT

Have plenty of light, ideally in front of you. Overhead light will do, but often the best option is natural light. Tip: Don’t have a window behind you (unless you want to appear mysterious) – it will show you as a silhouette. Check what’s behind you – the last thing anyone you’re calling needs to see is your washing drying in the background! Use a plain wall as a backdrop. If there isn’t one find a space where no one can walk behind you. Unless you want your pets or children to be part of the chat, it’s a good idea to keep them out of the room. Both love to join in if they can hear voices!

STEP TWO: MAKING THE CALL

If you’re using a phone or a tablet and holding it you should have a slightly bent arm, ideally a forearm’s distance from the screen. Further away your face can become too small and the focus is on the environment not you. The camera should be at eye level. Hold it too low, all they’ll see is up your nose!

If you’re calling from a desktop computer, sit an arm’s length away from the screen with the camera (usually at the top of the screen) at eye level. If using a laptop have the camera at eye level, so that you are not looking down at it. If your call is for business it’s a good idea to prepare well. Know your subject and maybe make a few bullet points, but don’t follow a pre-written script. Having the words in front of you may prevent you truly listening to the other person because you are conscious of staying on script and saying what you have planned. Embrace the idea, take these first two steps – and enjoy!

Watch our Guide to Successful Video Presentations youtu.be/0qtyOdsE7B8 for more tips

TO POST OR NOT TO POST…

That’s the question from NHS communications officer Joanne Cunningham. Here are her tips on staying the right side of social media.

“We’ve got ‘Facetimers’, WhatsApp family groups and Skype meetings – who’d even heard of Zoom before the pandemic? Social media is great for keeping in touch, but it’s worth taking a breath before posting. We’ve all seen the celebrities who’ve had to make tearful apologies many years later for something posted in their youth or early career. Check your employer’s social media policy. Using your own account for work can blur boundaries and it’s not the place for chatting or discussing internal issues.

You can also become an unwitting spokesperson for your organisation, and if your account is public what you say can easily be taken and used in the media as a quote. Some employers even look at social media profiles before interviews; do you really want the person who’s interviewing you to see you dancing on a table on your last holiday or even worse complaining about your current employer? Think before you post. If you use a staff social media group think before you post. Would you be happy for it to go in your staff bulletin? Would you make that comment in a team meeting? Or say it to your manager? If not don’t post it. Social media is now part of daily life. Think how your words may affect someone or how you would feel if it was said to you, and remember ‘in a world where you can be anything, be kind’.