You’ve probably been attending a lot of video conference calls these days. And other than putting on a clean shirt and brushing your hair, you might not be giving a lot of thought to how you come across on camera. But just like with in-person meetings, body language is important. Using the right body language during a video conference call can help you to make a good impression on your clients and coworkers. Here are a few tips:

  • Smile – A genuine smile is really appealing, and will cause others to view you as friendly and likable. In addition, smiles are often contagious. If you smile, it will inspire other people to start smiling as well.
  • Don’t cross your arms – Even if you feel comfortable sitting this way, try not to do it. Others might think that you’re annoyed or impatient.
  • Lower your voice – Now don’t go too far. You don’t want to sound weird or like you’re recovering from a sore throat. But if you can lower your pitch just a little bit, it will help other people to take what you’re saying more seriously.
  • Maintain good posture – Even in a video conference call, it’s important to sit up straight. It makes you appear to be confident and in control. When people hunch over, they look like they’re unsure of what they’re saying.
  • Look at the camera when you speak – Try to look at the camera when you’re talking (rather than watching yourself talk on screen). You’ll look like you’re making good eye contact, which will help you to come across as interested and engaged in the conversation.
  • Don’t wave your hands around – It’s OK to make occasional hand gestures when you’re speaking. But try to keep them at a minimum, and move your hands slowly. Lots of quick movement will not translate well over video.
  • Try not to fidget – Try not to bounce in your chair, play with your hair, rub your hands together, or engage in other nervous activities. These types of behaviors will make you look like you’re bored with the meeting and dying for it to be over. It will also make you seem less trustworthy and dependable. If you find yourself starting to fidget, take a deep breath, place your feet squarely on the floor, and place your hands on your desk. Try your best to stay calm and still. You’ve got this.

And here’s one more suggestion. Think about your lighting and camera placement. If you’re sitting in the shadows or if your camera is positioned at a weird angle, people won’t be able to see your engaged expression or amazing body language! Try to make sure that there’s some light on your face, and that your camera is positioned correctly.

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Goman, C. K. (2013, September 17). 8 body language tips for video meetings. Zoom Blog. Retrieved from: https://blog.zoom.us/8-body-language-tips-video-meetings/

Lovgren, B. (n.d.). Working remote? These are the biggest dos and don’ts of video conferencing. Entrepreneur. Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238902