To show up on camera, or to not show up on camera... That is the question!

I recently did a virtual presentation and received a question inquiring about the importance of being on camera on a group call or webinar.

This got me thinking.

As a body language trainer, my reaction is a big YES, you need to be on camera when on a group call. Why you ask?

Would you show up to a meeting with a bag over your head?!

Connection

Building connection virtually is certainly more tricky on camera (tip, look into the camera lens to simulate eye contact) but still needs to be done in order to build rapport . The science is there and shows that eye contact helps us build relationships and lets us feel seen and heard. When we make eye contact with someone, oxytocin, the connection hormone, is released which allows us to feel a deeper connection.

Etiquette. Show some manners, please!

When your peers are on camera and you are not, there is a sense of “slacking”. And multi-tasking.

One of my friends recently gave a virtual presentation and was disheartened when only a few participants turned on their cameras. From a speaker perspective, it felt like a “dis”. In her mind, it meant that the participants on the other end were uninterested or multitasking. Had she been there in person, she could have “read the crowd” but virtually she was left guessing.

A quick search on Google led me to this article on video etiquette which simply put states,

“If their camera is on, yours should be, too.”

Or this article that states,

“Turn on the video. Video calls are a huge improvement over audio-only calls. The key reason is that you get to see the faces of the people you’re talking to. There are lots of cues that we react to when we’re face-to-face, and video allows us to react to most of them. Unless there’s a good reason, I’d consider it rude to not show video.”

That being said…

There are times when being off camera is warranted.

Examples:

Like you are in a different time zone and 3 am is not a good look for you.

You are sick but still want to glean the information.

You are in community space (hello, coffee shop!) where the hustle and bustle behind you would be distracting.

You don’t have enough bandwidth to support the call.

The key to this is letting your colleagues know why you are choosing to be off-camera. Just as you would excuse yourself from a meeting or interaction in person, you need to do the same on camera.

And if you need to step out of the camera frame for a minute, explain why. Or at least hold up your index finger to nonverbally indicate “one minute” while you step away.

The Importance of a Profile Picture

Ever notice how you never seem to click on LinkedIn profiles without a profile picture? BORING! And because it’s important to be seen in order to be trusted.

What do recruiters think in the first 6.5 seconds they experience your profile and it has no authentic image showing?

They don’t think. They instantly move on to the next, the next, and the next until an above average professional looking solo ‘mug shot” can be seen.

Apply this knowledge to the virtual meeting world as well!

Action tip: If you have not added a profile picture to your Zoom, Skype, etc account yet, do so now! At minimum you need to have a picture up of yourself to indicate your presence on a virtual call.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic so shoot me an email with your insights. We are in this virtual world together and need to keep learning (and muddling!) through the best rules of engagement.

Your co-pilot,