Video conferencing is not a new phenomenon. The first simple version was created back in 1964. It was introduced by AT&T at the World Fair in New York City.
8 Components of Successful Video Conference
Since then, video conferencing has evolved and grown in popularity. In recent years it has been given increased emphasis due to the need to protect the planet by traveling less for business purposes.
This increase has been even more prevalent in 2020 due to the requirement for many people to work remotely, which has been caused by the pandemic. With this in mind, if your business uses video conferencing more frequently, you need to understand the components of a successful video conference. Doing so helps you to achieve the results that you are aiming for. Let’s examine eight components of a successful video conference in more detail.
The right video conferencing platform
If you do not find the right video conferencing platform for your needs, the result is unlikely to be as you want it. Choosing a webinar service provider like MyOwnConference means that you get access to high-quality video as well as collaboration tools like screen sharing.
This means that your meeting can run exactly as it would if participants were all in the same room. The process is smooth and seamless, and you get the desired experience and results.
Visual quality
Obviously, if you are hosting a video conference, you want participants to clearly see each other. There are several factors that you need to consider in order to make this happen.
Lighting should not be too bright and should be from the sides where possible. This is because bright overhead lighting can cause glare.
The video cameras used should be of high enough quality to provide a clear image. How to choose a good camera for your online conference you can find here.
Any visible backgrounds should not be too distracting. For instance, there should not be numerous artworks on the wall.
Audio quality
Audio is just as important as video when it comes to video conferencing. This is because a lack of sound clarity can lead to miscommunication and frustration.
In order to ensure the highest possible quality of audio, video conferences should be hosted from quiet spaces where there is no background noise.
It’s also a good idea to use a high-quality microphone that makes speech clearer and reduces interference. Participants may also want to wear headphones to reduce potential distractions from background noise in their location.
Bandwidth capability
Even if you use all the latest technology, you are likely to have problems with your videoconference if you do not have sufficient bandwidth. This issue can cause significant problems such as:
- Audio that dips in and out.
- Lagging of the video.
- Freezing of the video.
These are obviously problems that you need to avoid in order to conduct a successful video conference. So, it’s important to make sure that your bandwidth is sufficient. Remember that using HD or having many participants speak online at the same time requires more bandwidth.
Simplicity of use
There is no point in having a top of the range video conferencing interface if no one understands how to use it. This is because participants need to feel comfortable when joining and taking part in the video conference.
If they do not feel comfortable, they may not join in the first place or drop out along the way. This is detrimental to the success of your video conference.
For this reason, choosing a video conferencing platform that is intuitive makes sense.
Availability of participants
Having all the best technology in place will not make a video conference successful if no one takes part. Therefore, there are certain things to think about to ensure that people participate.
- Make it easy for people to join and take part.
- Send an invitation at least a week in advance, if possible.
- Choose a time when most participants are likely to be available.
Taking these actions helps to ensure that the necessary people attend, thereby making your video conference more successful.
Ability to collaborate
You need to remember that video conferencing is not only a means for people to see and speak to each other. During many video conferences, participants also need to be able to collaborate.
This makes it vital that you choose a video conference platform that provides collaboration tools for participants to use, such as screen sharing.
An understanding of etiquette
Not every aspect of achieving success while hosting a video conference is down to the host. There are many dos and don’ts of video conferencing that all participants need to be aware of.
This etiquette is important in helping the video conference to progress successfully. For instance, participants should mute their microphone while they are not speaking to reduce the impact of background noise. They should also avoid wearing clothing with patterns that could interfere with the clarity of the video.
If the participants do not usually take part in video conferences, it helps to advise them about this etiquette beforehand.
In summary
It seems likely that many people will continue to work remotely long after the current pandemic is over. This means that video conferencing will be used more frequently.
If this applies to your business, you need to make sure that your host’s video conferences are successful. Paying attention to the components mentioned in this article will help you to make sure that this happens.
Overall, you need to make sure that you use a reliable and multifunctional platform. You also need to pay careful attention to the clarity of sound and video. Also, it’s important to make sure that participants understand the etiquette that they should follow. All of these factors together help you to ensure the success of your video conferences.
An expert behind the simplified online meeting and webinar software platform, MyOwnConference. In today’s flexible work environment, Dan offers invaluable life hacks, in-depth reviews, and savvy tips for organizing, promoting, and excelling in virtual conferences and webinars.