"A good first impression can work wonders"
- J.K.Rowling
One of the most important Presentation Skills, is perhaps, to make an amazing first impression. Over the last few days, I have received many questions on topics ranging from what is the right dress code, how to fix lighting, and even eye contact (on a webcam!)
What is the right dress code for a virtual presentation?
The rule of thumb for the dress code is the same as what you would do for a "live" meeting.
Even though I am working from home, I make the effort of dressing up formally, for client meetings. It's a reflection of my professional standards and how much I value their time. For team meetings (intracompany), I still make sure I am well dressed and well-groomed.
Wear neutral colors (pastel) and avoid excessive patterns as these can be visually distracting.
Are blurred (and colorful) backgrounds recommended?
Popular virtual meeting software allows users to change their backgrounds. Backgrounds are helpful as they can mask and hide where we work from (messy home 😂). If this is something you have not tried, then give it a shot using this simple tutorial from Crayon.
The downside is that background can be distracting for viewers, especially ones with rich graphics and stark colors. Choose a neutral background or color and see how it looks.
Test and Learn!
My home office is dark and I look tired while presenting. What can I do?
Great question and it is definitely something of a struggle for many of us, as we work from home. It's best to work in a well light place (natural lighting). Personally, I don't use any expensive lighting tools (just a simple table lamp), and that works quite well. One investment, that I would recommend highly is to purchase an external camera. They give you more flexibility in where to position the camera and get the maximum natural light too.
Check out this video from Gia Goodridge with great tips on lighting.
Should I look into the camera while presenting?
Absolutely yes! Eye contact is important as it builds your personal connection with the audience. Even though this might be hard to achieve on a virtual presentation, make sure your camera is aligned with your face and you are looking directly into it.
What is the best way to start off the meeting?
This is no different from a live meeting. Bring on the energy and show your enthusiasm. Take the time to introduce yourself, smile, and thank your audience for their attendance.
How can I hide that I am stressed and anxious about the meeting?
Unfortunately, there is no way to hide this. Rather, I would suggest that you understand and acknowledge what is causing the anxiety. You can read helpful tips in my earlier blog post on how to Untangle Your Anxiety.
Feel free to drop a comment below. I would love to learn how you make a great first impression in virtual meetings.
Happy Presenting!
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