5 Tips For Dazzling Dialers On Your Next Video Call

As an on-camera social media personality for the last decade, I know a thing or two (or as the headline suggests, five) about video best practices.

As our workforce transitions to WFH – and our meetings transition from IRL to URL – it occurred to me that many people are very much still learning how to navigate this delicate transition.

To get us all started, here are my top five tips for dazzling dialers on your next video call – from skipping the coffee (gasp!) to zhuzhing up the room you’re in.

1.   Make ’em laugh. As the saying goes: “Make someone laugh, and you can make them do just about anything.” 

Open up your call with a smile and a thoughtful one-liner – something that establishes humor and warmth – and you will make your dialers comfortable instantly.

In my pre-quarantine life, I spoke at a retail gala where the audience was seated at round, 10-person tables. When I got on stage, I said: “Wow! This is like the bat mitzvah I never had!”

It was the first thing that popped into my head, and my audience roared. They appreciated the authenticity. 

2.   Practice (just not in the mirror). If you’re giving a presentation via video conference, be sure to practice – like you would if you were headed to a client’s office – just not in a mirror. This is one of the most common mistakes I see people make.

When practicing in a mirror (or a selfie video) – people can often get distracted by themselves. It’s also so wildly different than the actual experience of speaking publicly (even on Zoom), where you should always be focused on the listeners. Not having in-person interactions means we have to be ultra-focused on our dialer’s facial expressions for visual cues, so also make sure your settings are always showing your callers’ faces.

Pro tip: If you’re preparing to speak to 20 people, Google a photo of a 20-person Zoom room, and practice while looking at that!

3.   Skip the coffee. If you are new to being on-camera – and it makes you even slightly nervous – don’t drink coffee within 2 hours of hitting the (digital) stage. Coffee can make even the most seasoned speaker jittery, and no one wants that.

4.  Film yourself. When I began public speaking 10 years ago, I had no idea how often I was raising my eyebrows until I watched my recordings (cringe)! Don’t be like me! Film yourself right away, and watch it back so you’re aware of any nervous behaviors.

Filming yourself also helps you get a better sense of what your environment looks like to others.

According to Sotheby’s Home Creative Director Camila Hori, an uncomplicated set-up is best.

“Keep the décor simple, as people’s eyes will wander through what is behind you,” Hori says, while also warning against a white wall.

“A simple white wall in your place will reveal itself as a very sad backdrop in video,” she says. Instead: “Find colors that flatter you. Some people might look pale against a yellow wall while others look radiant. If you are not sure, try taking a selfie before the meeting.”

In terms of lighting, while natural light is always preferred – it’s not always practical.

“A table lamp can work well,” says Hori. “It’s a matter of playing with the position of light and your own position.”

Finally, Hori says: “The camera will dull everything, so calibrate your wardrobe and skin routine accordingly.”

5.   Prepare to fail. Forgetting a line is normal, so have a line prepared for if (when) you forget a line!

For example: “Sorry that took 3 tries. It was a late night of staring out my window and dusting off my counters for the 8^th time.” (This goes back to my number one rule: If all else fails, make ‘em laugh!)

Good luck!