The new normal currently is working from home, doing schoolwork with the kids, or doing business meetings in the comfort of our homes. Video meetings are a thing now because face to face meetings are not possible due to COVID-19. This video call option is a great tool, however, it should be used in moderations and you should always consider the listeners’ attention span. Meeting remotely has its advantages and disadvantages.
Discovering new technologies can be fun and different. Calling people through any platform is comforting and it adds a layer of connection. It is effective at maintaining and moving things forward in existing relationships, which can be a good thing.
Despite it being effective, it can also be hard to create a new connection virtually, especially with new prospects. It might be difficult for others to listen to the video/virtual platforms. People might not appreciate the information given to them because of screen limitations.
Here are a few tips on how to do an effective online video meeting.
Mastering the skill in presenting virtually takes time. It is not the same as being in person and it is becoming more challenging to create connections. You need to be able to be lively enough not to bore your audience or participants and during client meetings, you need to be able to present effectively without them getting bored.
You may have the fanciest technology but if you are a boring, data-dumping presenter, the presentation will be a disaster. Craft an engaging online call and make sure you can deliver your presentation, as well as being lively to your audience. Word selection, vocal variation and tone, presence, and style play significant roles even in virtual presentations. Certain platforms allow you to record a call so make this a venue to do a practice run and watch the playback. You can learn a lot when you view the meeting through the eyes and ears of your listener.
You need to balance the content of your presentation with the amount of time allotted for the meeting. Fatigue typically sets in at about 30-minutes so make the most out of your time.
Most meetings are being recorded for future references, so you only have one chance to make it right. There are no do-overs here. The stakes are higher because it is a less forgiving format rather than presenting in a face to face setup.
You really cannot always rely on technology, and technical errors are a huge hindrance to any presentation. You should always have a backup plan. Make sure you have the basics of the technology down and you have double-checked every possible error it can incur. You can also consider having an assistant on your side to manage your technical issues so you can still engage with ease and flow. Prepare a simple “old school” backup strategy just in case technology turns you down.
