Keeping it real during virtual chats, meetings and presentations

Whether you’re on with your boyfriend, boss, bunco club or business partners—you gotta be you. So, how can you make sure you have the information and tools you need to keep it real and be the best version of yourself? Here are three tips for virtual chats, presentations, interviews, meetups and more:

1. Be a diva.

Have you ever accidentally opened up your mobile camera in selfie mode while sitting on the couch and audibly gasped? Three new chins that you swear weren’t there yesterday have suddenly appeared. Or does certain lighting make you look like you jumped straight out of your driver’s license photo? That is NOT how you look in person! The camera can be unforgiving, but you can keep it real by doing things like the pros:

• Keep the camera at eye level during virtual meetings, chats, presentations, etc. Unless you’re going for that shar-pei-chic look, don’t ever have a camera pointing up at you, as it causes you to look down (hello, selfie chins).
• Invest in a nice webcam, rather than the one built-in to your laptop or computer. Generally speaking, they offer better resolution and superior quality video and audio.
• Before your next online presentation or meetup, experiment with the many different spaces around your home to pinpoint the most flattering lighting. (Don’t worry about the background, you can always change it or blur it.)
• Avoid backlighting. Be sure to face toward, not away from windows and other light sources to keep the “spotlight” on you.
• If you wear makeup, consider adjusting it until you find the right look. Cameras can sometimes wash you out or show way too much detail. Spending some extra time experimenting with concealer, contour and color can really pay off.
• Be mindful of the frizzies. A few rogue, flyaway hairs can quickly take center stage, appearing halo-like on camera. Be sure to use a good conditioner to minimize the frizz or just adjust the lighting until you get the look you want.

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2. Keep your eyes wide open.

The mere fact you put your camera on will encourage others to do so as well—boosting your chances of being able to perceive everyone’s body language, facial expressions, even eyerolls (yikes). In addition, keep it real by choosing chat software that offers a variety of shared backgrounds that actually make you feel like you’re sitting in the same room! Be sure the background you use fits the occasion, as they can range from professional to downright kooky.

You can also enhance your virtual meeting by using (and, by default, encouraging) real-time emojis, GIFs or stickers . Not only do they keep everyone on the call or chat engaged, they help you gauge your audience, friends, family and anyone else you’re meeting with. It also cuts down on verbal interruptions. If you happen to notice someone is NOT reacting much, that may be a sign, as well. Maybe they feel bored, left out, shy, or even angry. This is an opportunity to open the lines of communication with that person either during the call, in a breakout room, or one-on-one after it’s over.

 

3. Use some elbow grease.

Without the proper tools, virtual meetings (especially the personal kind) can feel kind of hollow. But actions speak louder than words. Show your friends, family, co-workers, teammates, fiancé—whomever—that you mean business by rolling up your virtual sleeves and getting everyone together on a project or plan.

For example, traveling internationally has put the brakes on your wedding plans—and your groom-to-be is none too happy. Imagine bringing together your future spouse, family and friends to help with some actual, live wedding planning. Now you can work together in real time across time zones on all sorts of documents and files, allowing you to easily create a wedding budget, invite and track guests, plan the reception, lay out the seating arrangements, hire the entertainers—and get feedback from the wedding party, parents, friends, etc.—all in one virtual spot. Same thing goes for work-related projects, business planning, charity events, even birthday parties. Sharing and collaborating keeps everything real, while helping build stronger connections.

So, no matter what your goal is—raising money for you favorite charity, presenting a business plan, connecting with your long-distance girlfriend, or just coming together for a virtual celebration—keeping it real may be as simple as sharpening your communication skills using a few helpful tools and the right technology.