Set the Stage for Successful Video Calls

On the spectrum of technological advances we love to hate, video calls are a perfect 10. They afford us the luxury of speaking with someone face to face without the expense of having to leave the city, the state, the country, or even the home office, but video calls come with a host of variables best not left to chance.

It can be challenging to look and feel like a powerhouse some days as it is, and in most situations, we can hide it well, but a video can really put a woman and her office on the spot. A woman should look like the polished professional during a video conference, and hair and makeup are not the only variables that might crush that image.

Video calls can make even a million dollar operation look like a sham, so it is best to control every variable possible to set the stage for success.

Set the Stage
If you are in your office, survey the landscape behind you. Are the shelves cluttered or have a haze of dust? Remove the myriad of takeout containers and Styrofoam coffee cups from the credenza. Consider establishing one area of the office specifically for video conferences. Investing in a photographer’s backdrop is not required but the right colors and furniture can make a big difference.

It isn’t a big deal if you work from home; more women wish they could.  However, a professional wants to look professional. That dirty laundry basket piled in the corner and the freshly washed bras drying behind you are probably more clearly visible than you think. Take the time to make the conference space look like conference space. If achieving this at the home office is unlikely, consider changing venue to the local coffee shop.

Light Up the Room
Tidying the space behind you is a great start, but it will all be for naught if the client cannot clearly see you because the space is too dark. Opening window blinds, sitting nearer to the window, or repositioning a table lamp or floor lamp all help to brighten the video your client or colleague will see. Natural or softer lighting will improve even the worst web camera. If the office or conference space has overhead fluorescent lighting, turn them off and use desk or table lamps instead.

Change the Angle
Take the advice of a selfie-crazed teenager and reposition the camera to capture the most flattering angle. No one wants to look up your nose or down your shirt during a video call, and even a subtle change of the angle can make a person look taller, thinner and more powerful on camera.

Sharpen Your Look
Choose a comfortable outfit that makes you look and feel powerful and put-together. Solid, flattering colors framing the face are ideal on camera. Think about how the television news anchors dress. Also, make sure you are dressed professionally from head to toe, just in case you need to get up during the conference. A professional looking blouse and jacket over pajama pants with pink bunnies will not fit the bill.

Make a Test Run
Women test everything. We try on a new eyeshadow before wearing it to work. We break in a pair of heels before the big date. We test and sample everything before the wedding day. Why, then, would we attempt to make a video call to a potential client, for a job interview, or to close a big deal without first ascertaining that we’re putting our best self in front of the camera?

Before any video conference, do a test run. You can enlist the help of a trusted advisor who will tell you if they can see down your cleavage at that camera angle, notice your dirty laundry piled in the background or notify you that your lighting makes you look a tad like Morticia.

Quiet on the Set
Eliminate as many background noises and distractions as possible before the video conference begins. If you work from home that means removing pets from the area to keep barking dogs and scratching cats away from the workspace. The same goes for loud music, video games, and noisy toddlers. Hire a mother’s helper to take the kids to the park or to keep them engaged in another part of the house. Whether at home or at the office, tell co-workers you don’t wish to be disturbed for an hour, and consider posting a sign on the office door alerting people that you are “live on air.”

Don’t let fears of looking like a failure keep you from using Skype or other video conferencing tools to your advantage. Preparing the environment for your conference ahead of time could change your presentation from disastrous to divine.