Look better than your colleagues on a video call

When using a video conferencing platform, like BlueJeans, it's important to remember that people are actually able to see you and your surroundings when you're on the call.  This isn't something you have to think about on a regular audio call, so sometimes people forget to think about it on a video call...leading to some unflattering, and often humorous, results.

“Everyone thinks they know what they’re doing but they’ve never been trained to do it,” says Paul J. Bailo, author of The Essential Digital Interview Handbook.  So...let the experts at Video Conferencing Gurus give you some tips to help you look like the gorgeous professional you are:

1.  Look the part
Solid colors are going to look best in the camera, avoid the dizzying effects some bold prints and patterns can bring (you don't want anyone to get nauseous).  Do a quick face-teeth-hair check...especially if your camera is HD (those things have gotten really good!).  It's always a grand idea to put on pants (probably professional ones)...you never know when you might have to get up to reach for something.  Try to keep the fidgeting to a minimum on the call, remember they can see you!

2.  Clean your room!
Your pretty face isn't the only thing people will be seeing on the video call.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen messy beds, piles of paper or clothing, open closets, messy counters.  Try to choose a location where these things aren't visible...like in front of a blank wall...but, at the very least, make sure your room is clean (and shut that bathroom door).  Curious where the bubble that people will see ends?  Try using a Photo Booth program for a preview.

3.  Practice your best selfie
You know, that camera angle that makes you look good.  People shouldn't be staring at your hair part or your bald spot...or up your nose.  Prop up your laptop, camera, iPad or tablet on some books or boxes to get the camera at eye level.  Let people see you at your best, eye contact is key!

4.  Lighting matters
Unless you want to look like you haven't slept in a week, overhead lighting is never the way to go.  Placing soft light sources to the left and right of your camera, and one right behind you, will make you look your best. 

5.  Don't forget to put up the "Do not disturb" sign
Nobody likes getting walked-in on.  Shut and lock any doors that someone might wander into not knowing you're on a call.  Keep your dogs outside, barking does not contribute to the conversation.  Though it is tempting to multi-task, everyone on the call can see when you aren't paying attention.  Keep the cell phone out of reach, resist the urge to check your Facebook, and try to stay present in the call.

Looking to try out video conferencing?  We highly recommend the ease and flexibility of BlueJeans! 

4 Steps to Making Yourself Look Great on Video Calls, Unlike This Guy

Whether you're engaged in the world of professional, room-based video conferencing in your company board room or using BlueJeans cloud-based video conferencing on your in-room VTC system, computer, iPhone, iPad or Android (or even just making the occasional Skype call at home)...how we look and sound on video has never been more important.  Why?  Because it's an extension of how we view the other person(s) as well as ourselves.  It's how much we care.  And if you're reading this blog, I'm guessing that matters to you.

The screen shot above was taken during a video conference training call with Cisco.  Really?  This guy's with Cisco, one of the 3 biggest players in that market (along with BlueJeans, Polycom and LifeSize)?! Now it's understandable to be an @home worker, especially when VTC (video teleconferencing) is your main business.  But there are 4 simple steps that, if you're intentional about them, will make you look and sound like pro (or at least keep you from looking like a doofus).

1. Face Lighting: Without this your face will become dark matter (again, reference above photo). As with all lighting, natural light is best.  But if you can't sit yourself in front of a window, which is the problem I have, get a light that aims towards your face.  I use the i-Series dimmable LED light bar from Brightline.  It's mounted above my monitor and works great.
2. Background distractions: The fellow in my photo doesn't have anything interesting inside that open closet behind him, but I sure found myself wondering about it a lot during the call. Windows are also a problem, either from people or cars going by or blowing out the camera iris from sheer brightness, which will make you look even darker by contrast.  Think of all those photos you've tried to take of a person in front of a window.  Yeah, it'll turn out like that.
3. Look into camera: If you have only (1) monitor this shouldn't be a problem, but if you use multiple just make sure to move your video window to the top center of the one that your camera's on.  Also, if you have a movable camera, try to place it as close to eye level as possible so you're not looking down at the poor folks on the far side.
4. Wear a headset: Next to #1, this is one of the most critical yet most ignored rules of good video etiquette.  It's important because by itself your laptop doesn't do very good echo cancellation between it's microphone and speakers.  It's a complicated function, but basically it results in you hearing yourself echoed back.  By far the best way to get around it is by wearing a headset.  I use a low-profile one that goes behind my head so the people on the other end don't see it.  I use one from GE (of all places) that I picked up at Target and it works superbly.  I use a foldable one from GE very similar to this, but I would recommend the Logitech H230 as well.

This fabulous blog post was taken from CCS Engineer Jeremy Birch's blog.  Read this post on Jeremy's blog...or check out what else he has to say...at www.jeremybirch.com.

A Conference Call in Real LIfe

One of my CCS coworkers found this hilarious video on YouTube today called "A Conference Call in Real Life." Before CCS starting using BlueJeans (a cloud-based video conferencing solution), we had a whole slew of issues with audio conference calls. This video shows all of the annoying things that happen on audio-only conference calls. You know...having to hear every time someone joins a call, the talking over and interrupting each other, call dropouts, accidental muting, people sneaking out early or jumping in the call at the last minute (because you can't actually see who's on the call and what they are doing while on the line). Funny as this is to watch…we all know how painful it can be in real life.

It's amazing how you can make all of these problems go away with a quality video conferencing service like BlueJeans. Being able to see the participants of a conference call has made our meetings more productive and has saved us so much wasted time and frustration!

Ever wonder what happens when someone puts you on mute on an audio conference?

Ah, the mute button. Placing yourself on mute when joining an audio conference call seems like second nature to most of us. But do you ever stop and wonder what really happens on the other end of the line?

Take a minute and watch the videos about Sh*t That Happens on Mute and help us spread the word by sharing with your friends and colleagues. 

Curious about BlueJeans Video Conferencing?  Learn more here.