The Communications
Consumer Review

Tips On Conducting An Internet Video Conference

Video conferencing, or web conferencing, is fast catching on with businesses and individuals who need to collaborate as a group with people who are located far away, perhaps even across the world. Internet technology has made it possible to be able to attend a conference of several people at once from all over the world by being able to both hear and see them at the same time. So if you're planning on using this advanced technology, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you do:

1. If you are conducting the video conference, you may want to give attention to what kind of clothes you'll wear, as most of the conference attendees are going to spend a lot of time looking at you on the video screen. Generally speaking, its best to keep your clothing colors muted and solid, as bright and bold colors and patterns can be easily distracting to the viewers.

2. All who participate in a video conference should remember that modern computer microphones are very sensitive, and they can pick up even the smallest of sounds and amplify them. So try to avoid unconsciously making repetitive sounds like tapping on a table or shuffling papers while the video conference is going on, as this can become not only distracting but also irritating to the other video conference attendees. Also be aware that even if you whisper something to someone else, the microphone may be sensitive enough to pick it up and broadcast it over the conference. So be careful with every word that you speak.

3. Excessive movement on the video screen can be distracting and irritating as well, so try to keep motion and movements down to a minimum during the conference.

4. In order to have a successful video conference, you need to react as if you are in the same room with everyone else on the call. This means that it is important that you maintain eye contact with the video camera when speaking, and gesture freely and comfortably, just as you would in normal conversation.

5. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, there may be some delay between the time when someone speaks on the conference, and when you actually hear what they said. In such situations, it's a good idea to allow each person to completely finish what they had to say, instead of interrupting as you might do in normal conversation.

If you practice these general guidelines for conducting a web conference, it can result in a very productive and useful meeting experience.