Video conferencing makes it easy to connect distant teams and talk to clients face to face. Kaltura partner VisoCon offers an easy way to incorporate video conferencing into your workflows.
by Andreas Kröpfl
Video conferencing is a huge trend, and it’s still growing. Organizations of all sizes are using video conferencing frequently for purposes ranging from sales calls to strategy meetings, team building to training. In today’s global economy, teams and clients are scattered all over the world – video conferencing tools allow them to meet as if they were in the same room.
Creating video meetings can be quite easy. For example, for Kaltura clients looking for a video conference solution, VisoCon offers eyeson, a video conferencing tool directly integrated in Kaltura’s MediaSpace Video Portal. But the most important key to running a successful video conference is to be well prepared.
Take your time and try the tool out in advance. Familiarize yourself with all of the provided features. Ideally, host a practice session or dry-run prior to your video meeting to work out any issues..
Let’s take a look at some of the critical areas to be aware of, using eyeson as an example:
Once you have scheduled a video conference and invited participants, further preparations should be made.
Open the scheduled meeting and use the checkbox in the right corner to test your camera and microphone. Not every camera angle is advantageous and holding eye contact is often difficult in video conferences. Be sure that the camera is at eye-level with you, even if you have to raise the laptop higher for the video conference. Take your time and check your image in advance.
If possible, sit in front of a blank wall. Clutter and busy backgrounds distract viewers. It is also smart to show the logo of your company in the background. Try to take a position so that no other people are visible behind you.
You look best if the lightning is in front of you, ideally above you. If there is a window in front of you, go ahead and open the curtains so that the light shines on your face.
Consider your audience when choosing how to dress. Regardless of whether you dress formally or casually, be aware that white clothes might glare,flashy jewelry might catch the light and patterns can be distracting.
If you take the time to properly prepare in advance, almost nothing can stop an engaging video conference experience!
Andreas Kröpfl spent nearly 10 years at Frequentis, a high-tech company that develops communication and information system for air traffic control, before founding VisoCon and developing eyeson, a video conferencing platform. He has a PhD. in Electrical Engineering from University of Graz. Feel free to contact him with questions at [email protected]