Quick Tips for Video Messaging During a Crisis

If you are one of the lucky ones who a) still has a job, and b) has been working from home, you have no doubt recently christened yourself an expert in video conferencing, complete with a ceremonial sash made from hoarded Cottonelle. Or that could just be me.

Nevertheless, we are collectively getting used to being on camera and revealing our personal abodes for the world (or at least our co-workers) to see. So, how can we be sure that our communication skills are effective when we may or may not be wearing pants? It all boils down to two things – environment, message and delivery. OK, three things.

Environment

If possible, pick a camera angle that minimizes your background, and keep it clean. (A more narrow angle means you’ll have to clean it less, btw). And avoid my personal pet peeve, the “witness protection” look. The window goes in front of you, NOT behind you.

Messaging

There is what you say and there is how you say it. This is the “what you say” part. Keep it short (and sweet if you’re into that kind of thing), but thorough. And for Pete’s sake, have a point to make. To say we are all inundated with video messaging these days is like saying … you know what I can’t even think of a good analogy that could adequately express how much of an understatement that is. Anyway, if you’re going to speak, have something to say, and be concise about it. Your audience, whomever they may be, will thank you. 

Delivery

This is the “how you say it” part, and there are only two things to remember here – be genuine, connect, and offer a solution. OK, three things. “Genuine” means you believe what you’re saying, “connect” means you show that you’re also willing to listen, and “offer a solution” means you show that you want to move the discussion forward.

Whether you are on a conference call, leading a webinar, or recording your manifesto, people are more likely to truly listen to you when your message is simple, clear, and genuine.