How to Prepare Yourself for a Video Conference
Everyone is still stuck at their home. Going out just for fun or traveling is not safe anymore. All of these because of a deadly virus outbreak that turned into a pandemic months ago. So many events got canceled, schools got closed, businesses started to go digital, all these in less than 3 months. Businesses with no ‘Work From Home’ in their dictionary, have started adopting it. No one was ready for this, but now, all these have become new normal for all of us.
One thing we all are still not ready for is a video conference/ call. I also used to struggle a lot before a video call. It might be one of the most hyped things in 2020 but not for everyone. If you are one of those people who are attending a lot of video calls or conferences then this article is specifically for you. Then let’s get started.
What is in the Frame:
Whenever you are about to join a video conference, make sure about your surroundings. Ask yourself questions like, ‘What are the things that can come and go into the frame’, ‘what is already in the frame?’ When you find the answers, make a list of it and see if it is ok or not to be in the frame with all that.
Start by placing yourself facing the light. This way, your colleagues or video conference participants will be able to see you more clearly. Try to eliminate any noise source near you. Keep all the windows in the room closed.
There is a software called Sarv Wave. It eliminates surrounding noise with the help of an extension. You can try this if you like.
Application Preference:
Everyone has their favorite app that they always use to connect with people. I prefer video conferencing with friends, family, and colleagues. Why? Because it is platform-independent, and you do not need to install the application to join or host a meeting. This makes connectivity a lot faster and flexible.
I know there are many video calling applications already available in the market. But why I choose this has my reasons. Try to make a list of your preferences first, then compare all these platforms and align it with your preferences.
Free The Internet and RAM:
Two things that can make your video conferencing worse are the Internet and RAM usage. Video conferencing solutions that are already out there use too much of both the internet and RAM. So if you are running some heavy software like Aftereffects, Photoshop, AndroidStudio, Code editors, then it will cause glitches or lag in the conference. This happens because your computer is unable to process video and audio simultaneously, and this ends up in a pixelated and laggy conference.
The same happens when you are unable to access high-speed internet. It can be due to anything. Someone, on the same network, might be streaming video games, watching series/ movies online, or downloads might be running on your system. Due to any of these, your software is unable to access high-speed internet. The software I use, Sarv Wave, works on low bandwidth and works on any browser you are already working on. So due to that, it needs 55% fewer data than others and less RAM usage too.
An alternate solution for the internet connection is, go wired. Use a LAN cable to connect yourself with the Internet. This will eliminate any interruption in between. But, this might cause a problem for your family members until your meeting is over. Also, you can eject LAN for yourself like this daily as Wi-Fi was supposed to be for everyone.
Early Is Always Good:
If your meeting is in the evening at 5 then DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT wait for the exact time to log in. Sometimes, you may face software issues, your system just froze, or the router is not playing along.
If you face these right at the moment then it will cause you a delay in joining a meeting. And we all know, this delay can reflect on your performance chart in HR and no one wants that. So whenever you have a meeting, prepare yourself 15 minutes before that.
The Backup Plan:
As the last note, I will say that always keep your backup plans ready. Like, if you are doing a meeting on a laptop then keep it fully charged and sit where you can plug the charger. You can also carry a power bank from which you can charge your laptop battery. Or, if you are attending a meeting on the phone, try to place it in a stand or a stable place. Don’t make this universal meeting: “Never host a meeting that could have been an email. So, next time before joining a meeting go through all these points first and make a productive video conference.
Everyone is still stuck at their home. Going out just for fun or traveling is not safe anymore. All of these because of a deadly virus outbreak that turned into a pandemic months ago. So many events got canceled, schools got closed, businesses started to go digital, all these in less than 3 months. Businesses with no ‘Work From Home’ in their dictionary, have started adopting it. No one was ready for this, but now, all these have become new normal for all of us.
One thing we all are still not ready for is a video conference/ call. I also used to struggle a lot before a video call. It might be one of the most hyped things in 2020 but not for everyone. If you are one of those people who are attending a lot of video calls or conferences then this article is specifically for you. Then let’s get started.
What is in the Frame:
Whenever you are about to join a video conference, make sure about your surroundings. Ask yourself questions like, ‘What are the things that can come and go into the frame’, ‘what is already in the frame?’ When you find the answers, make a list of it and see if it is ok or not to be in the frame with all that.
Start by placing yourself facing the light. This way, your colleagues or video conference participants will be able to see you more clearly. Try to eliminate any noise source near you. Keep all the windows in the room closed.
There is a software called Sarv Wave. It eliminates surrounding noise with the help of an extension. You can try this if you like.
Application Preference:
Everyone has their favorite app that they always use to connect with people. I prefer video conferencing with friends, family, and colleagues. Why? Because it is platform-independent, and you do not need to install the application to join or host a meeting. This makes connectivity a lot faster and flexible.
I know there are many video calling applications already available in the market. But why I choose this has my reasons. Try to make a list of your preferences first, then compare all these platforms and align it with your preferences.
Free The Internet and RAM:
Two things that can make your video conferencing worse are the Internet and RAM usage. Video conferencing solutions that are already out there use too much of both the internet and RAM. So if you are running some heavy software like Aftereffects, Photoshop, AndroidStudio, Code editors, then it will cause glitches or lag in the conference. This happens because your computer is unable to process video and audio simultaneously, and this ends up in a pixelated and laggy conference.
The same happens when you are unable to access high-speed internet. It can be due to anything. Someone, on the same network, might be streaming video games, watching series/ movies online, or downloads might be running on your system. Due to any of these, your software is unable to access high-speed internet. The software I use, Sarv Wave, works on low bandwidth and works on any browser you are already working on. So due to that, it needs 55% fewer data than others and less RAM usage too.
An alternate solution for the internet connection is, go wired. Use a LAN cable to connect yourself with the Internet. This will eliminate any interruption in between. But, this might cause a problem for your family members until your meeting is over. Also, you can eject LAN for yourself like this daily as Wi-Fi was supposed to be for everyone.
Early Is Always Good:
If your meeting is in the evening at 5 then DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT wait for the exact time to log in. Sometimes, you may face software issues, your system just froze, or the router is not playing along.
If you face these right at the moment then it will cause you a delay in joining a meeting. And we all know, this delay can reflect on your performance chart in HR and no one wants that. So whenever you have a meeting, prepare yourself 15 minutes before that.
The Backup Plan:
As the last note, I will say that always keep your backup plans ready. Like, if you are doing a meeting on a laptop then keep it fully charged and sit where you can plug the charger. You can also carry a power bank from which you can charge your laptop battery. Or, if you are attending a meeting on the phone, try to place it in a stand or a stable place. Don’t make this universal meeting: “Never host a meeting that could have been an email. So, next time before joining a meeting go through all these points first and make a productive video conference.
