• Sign Up, It's Free
  • Get Our Newsletter Plans & Pricing
    Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
  • Categories
    • Hybrid Work
    • Video Conferencing
    • Cloud Calling
    • Collaboration Devices
    • Customer Experience
    • Event Management
    • Customer Stories
  • Hybrid Work
  • Video Conferencing
  • Cloud Calling
  • Collaboration Devices
  • Customer Experience
  • Event Management
  • Customer Stories
 
  • Blog home
  • >
  • Video Conferencing
  • >
  • Show Your Best Self on Your Next Video Conference
Video Conferencing

Show Your Best Self on Your Next Video Conference

Apr 1, 2016 — Webex Team

Truth be told, you don’t need to go to extremes to present your best on a video conference. But I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been a bit intimidated by that little camera icon that invites you to show your face and “go live” on video during your meeting.

Whether it’s a cosmetic concern or a more serious security issue, it’s time to let go of any fears or anxieties that keep you from going live when its meeting go time.  So if you need ideas for getting camera-ready without a full-on makeover, here are a few simple tips that will help you launch your video camera with confidence.

Lights, camera, action

Your video conference is not a Hollywood movie shoot, but your camera, lighting, and background makes a huge difference in how people see you and how you see yourself.

For best viewing, be sure your light source is in front of you and not behind you, which can cause distracting shadows and make it hard to see your face. And the higher quality your video cam, the better you will feel looking at your reflected image.

Cisco's Roombar Bundle, Perfect For Your Next Video Conference

Try to keep your camera at eye level and in a location where you can look straight ahead throughout the presentation.  It’s easy to let your gaze drift during a video conference, making you appear distracted during the meeting. If you’re using a laptop trying propping it up with a couple of books. Using a webcam? Try a few different positions until you find one that feels comfortable for you.

Test your tech

When show time arrives, you want to be familiar and comfortable with the user interface of your video conferencing software. Take some time to learn how to preview and share your video, and troubleshoot any issues in advance.

Chances are, the video conference platform you use has more useful bells and whistles than just its camera. Can you poll participants and gauge their enthusiasm for a newly presented concept? Are you able to create a private meeting room and invite selected individuals to continue the discussion? Leaving a few minutes before the video conference is the best time to figure out any extra features. Take a look at Webex’s new Slido integration, perfect for engaging with you audience:

Use the buddy system

Still feeling nervous? Who best to ask “how professional is my appearance” than your best work buddy?

Set up a video conference with a colleague at work to get comfortable being on camera. You can even do a quick dry run of your presentation and ask for feedback. Are you articulating your words clearly? Is the volume on your microphone loud enough where others can hear you? Figuring out any kinks now will make appearing on camera later a breeze.

Relax!

Stressed Woman On Video Conference

Just like a traditional in-person meeting, a video conference is an opportunity for you to not only show who you are but to establish new relationships, strengthen older ones and be the selling/presenting/marketing/solutions expert that you are. So – relax!

We understand it can feel a little intimidating to not only present in a meeting but even catch a glimpse of yourself doing so. Remember –  your clients and colleagues are interested in the content of your presentation –  not whether you have the perfect hairstyle. Let your personality and genuineness shine through, just like it would in a face-to-face meeting and concentrate on the points you need to get across. You will be more relaxed and feel in control – and it will show.

To learn more, get started with a free plan of Webex today.

Learn More

  • 3 Tips to increase audience engagement in your next meeting
  • The best video conferencing equipment for 2022
  • The best lighting for video conferencing, according to experts

Third-party Local Gateway support for Webex Calling
Feb 1, 2023 — Manu Parhar

More choice and flexibility: Microsoft Teams Rooms for Cisco devices, now available in beta
Jan 31, 2023 — Snorre Kjesbu

Audio innovations for hybrid work – introducing the Cisco Table Microphone Pro and enhanced audio interoperability for Cisco video devices
Jan 31, 2023 — Espen Loberg

Inspiring Brazil’s next generation of tech innovators with hybrid learning
Jan 30, 2023 — Emily Brooks

Webex Connect: The pursuit of enterprise CPaaS
Jan 30, 2023 — Tanuj Goyal

Connect With Us
  • This newsletter is for you.

    Our monthly newsletter, The Collaboratory, features fresh insights from collaboration experts, plus tips & trends, new product announcements, and the latest on the biggest events of the year. Sign up to stay in the loop!

Webex logo
Get started for free.
Additional features, storage, and support start at just one low price.
Sign Up, It's Free See Plans & Pricing
Small Business
  • Pricing
  • Webex App
  • Meetings
  • Calling
  • Messaging
  • Screen Sharing
Enterprise
  • Webex Suite
  • Calling
  • Meetings
  • Messaging
  • Slido
  • Webinars
  • Events
  • Contact Center
  • Experience Management
  • imimobile
  • Security
  • Control Hub
Devices
  • Headsets
  • Cameras
  • Desk Series
  • Room Series
  • Board Series
  • Phone Series
  • Accessories
Solutions For
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Government
  • Finance
  • Sports & Entertainment
  • Frontline
  • Nonprofits
  • Startups
  • Hybrid Work
  • Integrations
  • Developers
Resources
  • Downloads
  • Help Center
  • Join a Test Meeting
  • Online Classes
  • Accessibility
  • Inclusivity
  • Live & On-Demand Webinars
  • Webex Community
  • News & Innovations
Company
  • Cisco
  • Contact Support
  • Contact Sales
  • Webex Blog
  • Webex Thought Leadership
  • Webex Merch Store
  • Careers
  • Webex Leap
© Cisco and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookies
  • Trademarks
  • English
    • Chinese (Simplified)
    • Chinese (Traditional)
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Portuguese (Brazil)
    • Spanish
  • English
  • 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified))
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese (Traditional))
  • Français (French)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • Português (Portuguese (Brazil))
  • Español (Spanish)