Effective communication is key to a business’s growth and sustainability. Whether it’s an in-person interaction or online communication, you need to be on point to move towards a positive trajectory.
The pandemic saw an upsurge in video conferencing tools like Zoom.
Though lacking interpersonal communication, these platforms offer great convenience in connecting with anyone and anywhere, thus helping organizations embrace online collaboration and remote work.
As of 2024, Zoom has 300 million active users on a daily basis, and 89% of users use it for business meetings. Given this trend, it’s evident that this platform’s importance in the digital world can’t be overlooked.
If you are also one of those who is increasingly being on the hook to make new connections through videoconferencing and often wonders how to be good at it, fear not, as we have you covered.
In this article, we have shared tips on making a great first impression on Zoom. Read on to learn more.
13 Tips to Make a Great First Impression on Zoom
Setting a good first impression can be difficult because you don’t have the advantage of meeting someone personally. On a crowded computer screen, it’s easy to get lost as one of the participants.
The following tips will help you start your meetings impressively and make your virtual presence shine.
1. Dress the Part
Dressing up well for a Zoom meeting is as crucial as it is for one-on-one. You might not feel the inclination, but you must deliver standing up and sitting down. So, ensure you dress professionally and in line with the dress code to leave a positive impression and show seriousness.
Wear a clean, professional look with a solid-colored suit and blazer or skirt. Don’t go for shiny, revealing, or messy fabrics and looks that take away the focus from you.
2. Go for a Clean Background
A clean and professional background is as important as dressing appropriately for a meeting. You wouldn’t want people to see a pile of clothing, a stack of books, or necessary things lying around in your background. It looks unprofessional, and people might take you less seriously.
If you are more comfortable, you can change your backdrop to a blank screen or one of Zoom’s standard backgrounds. A solid background with natural light and minimal or no clutter is ideal for conducting your meeting.
3. Take Help of the Mute Feature
How uncomfortable is it when we hear unnecessary sounds from someone’s microphone that was left on unintentionally? Before starting the meeting, request participants to mute their microphones to prevent noise and disruptions.
As a speaker, you should always keep your microphone on mute when:
- you are not speaking
- you need to sneeze or cough
- any of the participants ask a question
4. Make a Difference with Good Body Language
It might not be easy to convey with body language when you are visible on a 3-4 inch square monitor. But it’s not undoable. Follow these simple ways to project good body language on Zoom video conferencing.
- Body Posture
Your body posture plays a primary role in conveying passion and enthusiasm for the topic. Keep your shoulder firm and erect with your hands resting on the desk to demonstrate calm energy.
Slouchy posture or jittery hands exhibit a lack of confidence and can be the reason for the loss of the audience’s interest in your speech.
- Hand Gesture
A small screen restricts the visibility of your hands, making communication slightly tricky. To show a gesture of openness, warmth, and professionalism, rest your hands on the desk or have fingers linked or hands on top of each other.
That way, you can avoid unnecessarily flailing your hands when not talking. Otherwise, go for open and meaningful hand gestures to emphasize key points and make retention easier.
- Eye Contact
Eye contact is crucial for effective communication. It helps forge trust and lets people know you are paying attention to them.
According to Forbes, maintaining eye contact for 30% to 60% of the conversation fosters a productive and comfortable environment.
Instead of gazing at the screen (it might seem like you are looking somewhere else), look into the webcam when talking to someone to beautifully simulate eye contact.
- Smile and Speak in a Positive Tone
Speak clearly and with intention. Communicate energy, expertise, and warmth when you address people.
Start with a smile; it is an effective icebreaker and sets a warm tone for your communication. Also, be mindful of your facial expressions. Ensure it’s pleasant and upbeat, adding warmth and sincerity to your words.
5. Do it More
The more you practice something, the better and more adept you become at it. A big part of making the right impression is feeling confident and comfortable being yourself.
According to a survey, 59% of people feel uncomfortable being on a video than in person.
If being on a webcam is discomforting, do it as much as possible. You can try ways like setting up a Zoom call when interacting with a friend, and you can do the same for professional scenarios. It will give you the necessary comfort for eventual important Zoom meetings.
6. Avoid Looking at Yourself
Did you know that 30% of us look at ourselves more than half of the time on a video call? And that’s one primary reason for discomfort and distraction.
First, you are not fully present on the call, and your lack of listening could quickly cause others to lose interest.
Second, it can cause us to go into a negative spiral, being mindful of how we look and speak and not being happy about it.
Third, you can lose your chain of thought and miss out on the essential information you wish to convey, defeating the entire purpose of setting up the call.
The best solution is to hide the camera from your screen so you cannot see yourself. Zoom has a feature called Hide Self View, which enables you to keep the camera on but hide it on your display.
7. Your Lighting and Camera Angle Should be Accurate
The lighting should be in front of you to make your face completely visible to everyone. Similarly, overhead lighting also works fine.
Avoid sitting in places with lighting behind you, as it will cast a shadow and make it difficult for people to see your face.
Your web camera should be on eye level to make it a perfect screen angle.
Peeking up on the screen or down can again leave a negative impression, making people lose interest in looking at you.
Keep your face and one-third of the torso visible on the screen for a perfect angle and frame.
8. Make Sure Your Tech Works Properly
You might have a lousy internet connection, resulting in difficulty seeing or hearing other people or pixelated screens. Try turning off your video to get it back to normal.
Make sure that you have a steady internet connection and that your camera and microphone work properly. Keep your laptop and other equipment charged and renew your Zoom subscription.
If it’s a presentation, ensure that everything (audio and video) is running. Prepare a backup plan if things don’t turn out as expected.
9. Handle all Possible Distractions
Invest in a good headphone with a mic to block out all unnecessary distractions and keep yourself focused. It will also prevent echoing and interrupted audio, as you wouldn’t want to risk not being heard when having crucial conversations.
Before you start the meeting, turn off your phone’s messages or notifications. Factor in all possible distractions like pets or traffic sounds in the area and find solutions for everything beforehand.
10. Plan, Prepare, and Improvise
Make sure you are prepared in advance for your Zoom meeting.
Whatever the purpose- whether a team meeting, a presentation, or a brainstorming session- prepare well in advance with everything required.
The better your planning and preparation are, the better your chances of leaving a great impression. Also, be flexible enough to assess your audience and improvise in real-time to cover gaps and drive your message home.
11. Log in Early
Log in a little early before the scheduled time to settle in properly and have time to greet people. Conversing with people before the meeting officially begins can help you leave an excellent first impression, strengthen existing relationships, and forge new ones.
It will help you make that extra effort to expand your network and build solid connections. You will also have the space and time to prepare everything and start the meeting with a calm mind.
12. Read the Room
Always remember to read the room. Since Zoom is an online platform, maintaining engagement is tricky as people are more inclined to get distracted.
Remember to be mindful of your audience’s engagement and change gears when you feel you are losing them. Take a pause, tell stories, show visually appealing slides adorned with high-definition images, vary your pace, or ask questions to make them respond and re-engage.
13. Use Your Full Name
Your full name on the screen will help people address you appropriately whenever needed. Imagine sitting for an important conference with a funny or incomplete screen name on your Zoom. It can leave a negative impression on people and undermine your authority.
In a Nutshell
Video conferencing platforms like Zoom can be a game-changer for business communication. You can make yourself as comfortable as an in-person interaction with some practice.
Maintain positive body language, plan your content well, work on the technical aspects, and keep your environment professional. You will be able to make an impression that will surely leave its mark.
