As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, remote work has become the norm for many people around the world. While working from home has certain silver linings, like being able to skip your morning commute and work in the comfort of your own house, it’s not without challenges. For a lot of people, putting together a home office that somewhat replicates normal work environments can be a real challenge.

This is particularly the case for those who are expected to attend meetings and other team activities over Zoom, Google Hangouts, or another video conferencing platform. To help you master attending meetings that are now taking place in your lounge room rather than the board room, we’ve teamed up with the experts at Ted’s Cameras. From lighting tips to the best conference call microphones, discover their top tips for effective video conferencing now!

1. Pay attention to presentation

Comfort is one of the obvious benefits of working from home. Let’s face it: Ditching your corporate outfits and cubicle in favour of sweatpants and your couch or kitchen table is a pretty good deal. Still, make sure that you don’t get too comfortable!

Before joining any video conferences, make sure that the area within your shot is neat, tidy, and free of anything you wouldn’t want your colleagues to see (such as dirty laundry or packaging from online shopping orders). It’s also a good idea to focus on your own presentation, and make sure that you look clean and put-together. This doesn’t necessarily mean suiting up completely, but you should at least swap your pajamas for a smart shirt or outerwear.

2. Find your best light

To ensure that your fellow team members can see you properly, make sure that your shooting location is lit properly. If you’re joining a call indoors, the best way to do this is to make use of natural light and position yourself near a large window with the curtains or blinds completely opened. Position your USB ptz camera accordingly.

If this isn’t possible in your space, or if you’re video conferencing at different times of the day and want consistency, consider using artificial lighting. Portable LED video lights are the best option for this, as they don’t require any special configuration and are simply “plug and play”. These handy video conferencing accessories provide consistent, daylight-balanced light and can easily be positioned on the hot-shoe of your camera or on a tripod.

3. Make sure your best ideas are heard

Another essential video conferencing tool is a microphone that allows your voice to be heard clearly. The built-in microphone on your computer or headphones may do the trick if you’re only making short comments in a meeting, but if you’re presenting or planning to share more than a few words, they won’t cut it.

One way to get around this is by investing in a lavalier microphone. These small external microphones clip discreetly onto your pocket or collar and pick up your words perfectly. “Shotgun” microphones, which can be mounted on your camera, are also a good option if you don’t want your audio gear to be seen in the shot.

Top Tip: Don’t want to set up your camera before dialling in? A wide range of microphones can be used with smartphones, instead.

4. Follow video conferencing etiquette

Video conferencing platforms can take a while to get used to, both in terms of the technology required and the behaviour that is expected. When it comes to etiquette for video conferencing, our top tip is to treat video calls just like any meeting. Read through the meeting agenda and prepare ahead of time if necessary, and always join the call at the scheduled time.

Before your meeting starts, it’s also a good idea to test your video conferencing gear to make sure everything is functioning correctly. Troubleshooting malfunctioning equipment in the middle of a meeting will only cause you stress and frustrate your colleagues, so avoid this wherever possible. A test run of equipment will also help you identify any issues - such as your head being cut out of the frame - and allow you to solve them ahead of time.

Top Tip: Most microphones pick up background noise that can be distracting to those speaking or presenting. To avoid this, always mute your microphone when you’re not speaking.

5. Try to avoid distractions

While it’s often easier said than done, do your best to join video calls in a space that’s private and quiet. As a minimum, try to find a location in which housemates and family members won’t be walking through the background of your frame.

Similarly, remember our tip above about video conferencing etiquette and clear your space of any distractions like your phone, the TV, or other devices. Temporarily turning off your phone and computer notifications will help prevent your eyes and mind from wandering, and will allow you to give the speaker on your call your full attention.

Learn how to video conference like a pro in no time

Across many industries and around the world, there’s no denying that video conferencing platforms are an increasingly important part of remote working. In this context, learning how to use these platforms effectively and communicate clearly during video conferences is an essential skill.

Follow the video conferencing tips and tricks above to master this skill in no time, or visit the Ted’s Cameras blog for more inspiration and livestreaming and filming advice.