23 Ways To Improve Your Zoom Presence

Do you wonder how you come across on Zoom? Whether you’re on your first (clueless) or your zillionth (jaded) call, you’ll miss basics that give yourself and others a better experience. Whichever platform you use, this check-list could help you significantly improve your impact and make you feel more in control.

BEFORE

1. Tidy up. It’ll clear your mind. At least make your Zoom view look professional: you don’t want your space to be distracting. No time? Use a background.

A Zoom Gallery View of nine images of the same woman on different calls.

2. Dress nice. Pyjama bottoms are so March 2020.

3. Warm up. It might feel absurd to do a little vocal warm-up and 12 star-jumps or a stretch before a call, but you’ll be significantly more welcoming, present and engaged.

4. Breathe. Focus for a minute on being present and neutral for the group and its aims. Carrying your faulty oven issues or last Twitter scroll into the room won’t help.

5. Run a sound test. Open up Zoom, go to Start Video: Video Settings: Audio and run a test. You can record yourself, listen back and adjust. Fancy mic owners: you’re often VERY LOUD.

6. Use good headphones. If you’re tired, unplug them for a bit: it’s a simple headspace reset.

7. Check your Zoom name. Go Video Settings: Profile: Edit My Profile. Are you Squiggles McGee from yesterday’s quiz? Maybe display your pronouns (eg. she/her) and location.

8. Be well lit. Otherwise we are distracted, you appear less in control, and your computer could give you a laggy connection. Sit in front of a window, buy a ring-light or use a house lamp. There’s also the ‘Adjust for low light’ setting in Start Video: Video Settings: Video.

9. Adjust your screen angle. It’s astonishing how many people aren’t aware of how they’re positioned in the frame and it’s yet another distraction.

10. Quit applications. If you don’t, it’ll slow down your device – not to mention distracting you with emails or kitten pics and disturbing others with your notification noises.

11. Be punctual. Arriving five minutes early is more relaxing than sliding in three minutes late.

DURING

12. Stay calm. While silence in a real-life conversation has natural rhythm, silence online tends to make people feel anxious or uncomfortable. Try not to let nerves shut you down or excitement turn you into a bulldozer.

13. Listen actively. As a result of acknowledging and being comfortable with Zoom lulls, the room can open up to deeper sharing and better conversations. Tune in.

14. Breathe. Sitting comfortably? Feeling regulated? See if you can adjust / go back to neutral.

15. Smile. We need to generate a little more positive energy online than in real life. It’ll trick you into that sense of wellbeing we get from human connection and you’ll be more engaging.

16. Check your side-chat habits. Typing stuff while someone’s talking gives a lift to a call, adds depth and lets the quiet ones contribute. But it can be a bit addictive / distracting. I certainly get over-excited and think it’s my job to provide a running commentary or gag-scroll. It’s not.

17. Toggle Self-View. Hate your hair? Turn it off. Need to connect deeply? Turn it off. Want to check up on your behaviour / be accountable? On. Whatever will make you most present.

18. Toggle your Camera / Mic. What will serve you and the room best? Be generous but look after yourself too. NB. don’t Hide Self-View and then forget your camera’s on!

19. Hydrate. Have a little spot where you put your water and your cuppa.

AFTER

20. Breathe. Zoom fatigue is real but when you acknowledge how draining online interactions are, you’ll stay one step ahead and in control of the come-down.

21. Reflect. No big deal. Simply acknowledge: “That was [a specific] call; I saw [these people] and I learned [such and such a thing].” Note action points, or takeaways you appreciated. Ending a Zoom call can be a shock – especially if there were intense conversations or you were having fun. Minimise this sensation with a small formal closure/completion ritual.

22. Stretch. Take a minute to get physical after the brain-drain. Hug yourself or massage your hands, arms and legs to put you back in your body with a satisfying sense of closure.

23. Reward yourself! Whether you were running this call or not, if you’ve followed the tick-list above, you’ll probably feel a mixture of elated and exhausted. What’ll be helpful now? Maybe gently massage your face. Eat something yummy. Enjoy a three-minute dance party! You deserve it.

By Victoria Hogg. You’ll learn dozens more pro tips and lifelong habits on how to be more confident, comfortable and in control when online and in the room with The Offer Bank and Goldsmiths’ online presentation course Tuesdays, six weeks, starts 23 Feb.