A big part of running your own business is networking and connecting with potential new clients. While a lot of that relationship-building work is done via social media or phone calls, many prospects want to hop on Zoom to get a real feel for you and your work. 

If you’re not super cozy on camera, video calls can be a bit awkward and difficult to get used to at first. Here are some tips and best practices on how to make your video calls smooth, natural, and effective so you can rock your virtual sales meetings. 

Check Your Connection

Before your call, make sure you have a strong internet connection. A bad connection can be extremely distracting and even drop your call, which can really hinder your closing chances. Check with any devices you’ll use and have a backup ready in case there’s a problem with one. Make sure others in your household aren’t placing a burden on the Wi-Fi while you’re on the call. 

Pay Attention To Presentation

Even though you’re working at home in your pajamas, you should be dressed in business-casual attire for video meetings. This not only creates a good impression it also puts you in the correct mindset for work. You don’t need to be decked out in a suit and tie, but a button-up or plain shirt will look better than your wrinkly old college hoodie. 

Also, pay attention to what’s in the background of your video. For example, remove hanging clothes or kids’ toys. Pick up any excess clutter or mess and keep all bright lights and windows in front of you rather than behind you. Experiment with the angle so that you’re not too close or too far away.

Act Like You’re In A Meeting

During the meeting, keep in mind that people can always see you. They can see your facial expression and can tell whether you’re listening or not. They notice if you’re texting on the side or surfing the web during the call. Non-verbal clues like nodding and smiling are even more important on video calls than in person to confirm that you’re present. 

Experiment With Lighting

Before the call, check out your lighting. See how it looks on the camera. You don’t want to appear too dark or too washed out. Try out different lights to see what looks most natural. Make sure there isn’t any light behind you, which would backlight.

Meeting Timing

Just like any meeting, be on time. We’re often looser with time when we’re not hurrying to get anywhere, but everyone should take it seriously just like a regular meeting. Create an agenda and stick to it, wrapping up the call at the appointed time so participants can get back to other things they need to do.

Use The Mute Function

Especially if there are several participants on the call, mute yourself when you’re not talking. There may be background noise you’re not aware of that everyone can hear, such as cars passing outside, household noises, or the sound of you moving. Nobody wants to be the person who gets called out for being too noisy on a Zoom call. 

Have A Backup Plan

There are bound to be some technical or connectivity problems, so have a backup plan ready. This might be an alternative time slot for the meeting or switching to audio-only if video slows down some participants’ computers. Another option is to record the meeting in the case that someone can’t connect and participate. 

The good news is that we’re all getting increasingly used to holding video meetings, and the technology is better than ever. You can hold important meetings without everyone in the same location, and there are customization options you can take advantage of to make meetings more productive. 

And remember—practice makes perfect! The more video meetings you host, the better you’ll get. 

Want more tips on closing sales calls? Then check out my course, Simple Sales Accelerator, which teaches you how to rock your sales calls with confidence and get more conversions.