Preparing to Participate

Make a Good Video Impression
    • Avoid very intense COLOR -"hot" colors can be overwhelming on screen.
    • Avoid all-light or all-dark clothing. They can "trick" the camera’s automatic brightness control.
    • Avoid wearing clothing with narrow stripes, prominent herringbone weaves, small checks and other intricate designs.
    • Avoid wearing bright, flashy jewelry that can reflect light.

Be Prepared
    • Ensure that your presentation materials are properly formatted.
    • See the Preparing Visual Materials link.
    • Arrive early and gain familiarity with the videoconference control pad before the meeting begins.

Set an engaging atmosphere
    • Introduce yourself and those present.
    • Speak and act naturally. Use verbal and visual clues. Expressive gestures are good; exaggerated or overused gestures should be avoided.
    • Look directly at people on the monitor as if they were physically present. The camera will do the rest.
    • Prompt comments if participants seem uncomfortable with a new medium.In general, fill the screen as much as possible with people rather than with tables, chairs, walls and ceilings
 

Create the best "Look"
 
    • Adjust the camera - use the zoom and pan camera controls. To show 1-2 people, show them from the waist up, centered in the screen; to show a group, adjust the tilt so that the faces are about 2/3 of the way up the screen.
    • Set Presets on key people, groups and/or exhibits for smooth transitions.
 

Be aware of videoconference etiquette
 
    • Facilitate conversation identifying participants by name (or location).
    • Pause for other’s comments remembering there is a brief transmission delay.
    • Keep your site on "mute" until you or someone at your location has a comment to share with everyone.
    • Avoid side conversations that exclude the far-end site(s) from your conversation.
    • Avoid shuffling papers, clicking pens, or tapping objects near the microphone. It is extremely sensitive and will broadcast any extraneous noise.
    • Keep motion to a minimum - not only can it be distracting, but it can cause the projected image to "pixelize" unnecessarily.