Successful Interactive Videoconferences

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• Successful Interactive Videoconferences

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Planning a Videoconference

• Notify all participants of the date, time and
  duration of the conference.

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Planning a Videoconference

• Determine the
• correct time and
• time zone
• information
• to avoid
• conflicts

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Planning a Videoconference

• Make sure everyone has the tools to successfully
  participate in the videoconference.

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Planning a Videoconference

• In advance, conference
• participants should participate in a
• technical test.

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Planning a Videoconference

• In advance, provide any login information or
  conference codes to attendees.

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Planning a Videoconference

• In advance, provide any printed materials
  or documents needed.

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Prepare The Room - Quiet on the set!

• Participants should prepare his/her space to
  minimize interruptions such as phones, messaging
  devices and/or interruptions from co-workers.

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Prepare The Room - Quiet on the set!

• Close your door.
• If you don't have a door, if possible, use an
  office or conference room with a door.

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Prepare The Room - Quiet on the set!

• Hang a sign on the door
• Notify your co-workers and support staff about
  your conference and then remind them of
  importance of no distractions.

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Prepare The Room - Quiet on the set!

• Turn off your cell phone.
• Turn off your desk phone
• Turn off and put away other devices that might
  beep, buzz, or burst into song.

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Ready, Set GO!

• Use the restroom and get a glass of water
  before the conference begins.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera

• Make sure to adjust the camera so that the
  image is centered in the screen and leave
  approximately 10 space for head room.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Focus

• Adjust the focus on the camera equipment before
  the conference begins.

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Lighting
Tips for Communicating on Camera

• Do NOT rely on overhead lights (fluorescent
  lights are the worst!)
• Do NOT have a window directly behind the speaker.
• Place light in front rather than behind the
  subject.
• DO shine a light on the speaker "spotlight"
  fashion (even a flashlight can be very effective)
  

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Lighting
Tips for Communicating on Camera

• In a low-light area be sure to aim the light
  properly so that you can still see the keyboard
  and be seen in the web conference. Having more
  than one light fills the screen with light.

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Movement
Tips for Communicating on Camera

• Avoid sudden or quick movements.
• Such movements may be distracting and may be seen
  as a big blur.

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Movement
Tips for Communicating on Camera

• Avoid shuffling papers or moving things while
  speaking or while others are speaking.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Eye Contact

• While speaking, make eye contact with the camera
  throughout the session.
• When reading, look up every 5-10 seconds, to
  look at the camera.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Speaking

• Speak a little bit louder and a lot slower than
  you normally would do with a friend.
• Practice speaking along with a news anchor while
  watching television.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Speaking

• Vary the volume and rate of your speech.
• A monotone voice is absolutely toxic to keeping
  the attention of an audience.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Speaking

• Mute your microphone when you are not
  speaking.
• Remember to un-mute, when you speak.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
What to wear

• It is better to wear solid colors, not
  complicated or busy patterns.
• Choose muted colors such as grays and blues,
  not bright reds or yellows.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
What NOT to wear

• Avoid bold stripes and small, repeating patterns
  which tend to vibrate on camera.
• Large fields of bright white can blowout cause
  a distracting glow or ghosting effect.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
What NOT to wear

• Avoid wearing jewelry that can interfere with
  microphones or cause distracting reflections.
• Prior to the meeting consider removing all
  bracelets which might be noisy.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Identify Yourself

• Use a logo or sign to identify your location.
• Use a backdrop, if available.

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Tips for Communicating on Camera
Identify Yourself

• Consider posting an introductory slide to welcome
  and/or educate and update your attendees while
  they are joining your event.