For many people, the abrupt switch to remote work was also a crash-course in video communication.
We’re now Zoom-ing (or Skype-ing, or Meet-ing) for education, work, keeping up with friends and more. And you might be exploring video for keeping in touch with prospects or networking.
Even if your preferred place isn’t in front of the camera, don’t worry! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get more comfortable and learn to love the lens.
🕵️Related: Uncover the Secrets of Virtual Selling
While “Zoom” has become a household word overnight, and while Zoom is a good option in many cases, it isn’t the only one.
Depending on your needs, there are a variety of different video communication tools you can try. Below, you’ll find our comparison of some of our favorite video tools, plus recommended uses for each.
Whichever tool you choose, if it’s brand-new to you, spend plenty of time getting used to the capabilities before you try it out with others.
Now that you’ve chosen your video tool of choice, it’s time to lay down some ground rules for how you use it.
We’ve all experienced (or seen videos of) these scenarios: People who didn’t know their camera was on; people who spent the first five minutes of a call getting ready; people who were muted for several minutes before realizing it.
To prevent these situations from happening to you, follow these basic principles whenever you’re preparing for a video call:
The best piece of advice I have for being in front of the camera is to not worry about perfection. You’re not an actor, and you shouldn’t try to look or sound like one. You just need to sound like yourself.
The next best piece of advice? Just like the tip above, when you’re recording a video, make sure you’re positioned correctly. Again, your whole head, plus shoulders and about halfway down your upper arms, should be showing.
As you prepare to record, practice looking right at the camera (usually where the light is on your laptop or webcam) instead of at the screen. It’s OK to glance down occasionally, but make sure you spend the majority of the time looking at the camera. When your audience is watching, you’ll be looking at them.
You should write up some talking points to use during the video, but don’t feel the need to stick to the script too closely. And don’t read right off the page; it will sound unnatural and stilted.
Although it’s easier said than done, do your best to sound as natural as possible. Record as many takes as you need to. Don’t worry about a stutter or “uh” in the middle - you’re only human, and your audience probably won’t even notice. It’s how everyone talks in the real world!
You now have the tools and skills you need to ace your on-camera time. But what’s the best way to use these tactics throughout the sales process to drive more sales?
Think of video as your new best friend when it comes to prospecting and outreach. Through video, you can do these things and more:
Is your sales team ready for virtual selling?
👉Open the door to opportunities! Discover the tools, skills and processes top sales professionals are using today to create connections and win deals in a virtual setting.