Hi and welcome to another edition of Tara’s Top Tips brought to you by
Cause & Affect Speeches
I get it. You’ve had enough. Me too.
I’m really missing being in the same training room, coaching space, conference venue as my clients.
We all have our own situation, but I wonder if somewhere in yours there is also an element of missing connection, engagement and rapport with your colleagues, clients, suppliers, leadership? That zoom fatigue is kicking in?
In the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to grips with what works and what doesn’t with virtual communication. Do you know what I’ve learnt? We feel better and do better when we connect with others. And that there are so many more ways we can create, build and sustain connections online than we are currently using. But they all require the same essential ingredient. OURSELVES.
Do you want to have energy, enjoyment and success when communicating from behind your laptop? Then you’ve got to be present, show yourself and interact. Even if you’d much prefer to hide away 😉
I’ve got so many useful tips to share on this topic, so I’m going to devote 3 videos it. Today it’s how you position yourself – literally – on the screen.
1) be the presenter, not the voice-over
For me, one of the most worrying terms that are creeping into business language is ‘voice over’. It leads us to believe that the slide deck is the presentation, not the presenter. You are presenting your ideas, your work, your strategy. take ownership. Ensure that your screen is set up to side-by-side mode or any way that has you prominent on the screen. You might need to check your audience also has the right view mode. Yes, you might also need to brush up on your presentation skills but it will be worth it. 😀
2) step away from the camera
Most of us have our calls in this position. Missing our hands and arms and therefore missing something important. gestures. Gestures were the precursor to language. And it’s still the combination of speech and gesture that gives the whole communication experience.
Audience research consistently reports that people like presenters who show passion and enthusiasm and gesturing helps us do that. Along with being fluent, articulate and looking confident.
So, move your chair back so that the other people can see your hands and let it come. You might need to use a clicker if you are using slides.
3) turn off self-view
How can we be truly engaged and connected and create rapport if a part of our brain is consumed with what we are doing? Urg, I can’t believe I just pulled that face. Goodness, I need to get a hairdresser. I know you’ve been there. So, if you can, turn off your self-view. If you can’t because your video conferencing platform doesn’t have that feature then I suggest you go manual and stick paper over your image.
So… there you have it, 3 top tips to help you have more connection online by bringing the best thing you’ve got – YOU!
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Until next time – be out there 🙂
