Look at the camera, not the screen
- Looking directly at the video camera is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your audience.
Appearance
- Lighter colors will always work best. Avoid tight patterns if possible.
- Not all physical cues translate from in-person to a remote environment, which makes the ones that do even more important. Be sure to have good posture and relax your shoulders to avoid stiffness.
Prepare your surroundings
- Don’t join a meeting/webinar in noisy areas. Pick a quiet place without an elaborate backdrop so that you can be the focal point on the screen.
- Remove anything distracting behind you. Tidy up your space and make sure it is not cluttered or messy.
- Try to have a light on your face whenever possible, and avoid sitting in front of a bright window or monitor.
- Be sure to give the camera on your device a quick wipe with a soft cloth.
- Use a virtual background.
Practice
- Do a run-through prior to your meeting/webinar. Go over the agenda, tech, and features of the platform you are using, i.e. chat, Q&A functions, etc.
- Check the lighting and background of where you’ll be sitting and check the audio and camera settings.
Technical
- Don’t use an unstable internet connection. Good bandwidth is important. While a strong wireless signal works, if possible use a wired Ethernet connection to the internet. Upload speeds between 5-8Mbps are recommended for HD and Full HD video. Use speedtest.syr.edu to ensure your internet connection is good.
- Be sure you have the latest version of the platform you are using.
- Double-check meeting settings
- Test audio/video as you join
- If possible, use a USB headset
- Avoid using the browser to join, you may not have all the functionalities of the platform you are using
- Close other programs on your computer. Before your meeting/webinar, make sure all other windows on your computer are closed (especially if they make noise). Having other apps/pages running can also affect connectivity and latency.