One year into the pandemic, it may be time to refresh your video conferencing etiquette. According to Stephanie Scotti in a recent SmartBrief article, you can take your mastery of video conferencing to the next level by following these important steps: 

1. Practice makes perfect. Know how to use your tools and check your settings and systems ahead of time.  

2. Sign on early. Check to make sure everything is working and greet your attendees as they join the meeting. 

3. How’s your background looking? Clean up your space or use a virtual background. 

4. Check for user experience. Are people joining you from their phones? Will they be able to see your presentation properly? 

5. Use the buddy system. Have a colleague ready to take over in case your computer or Wi-Fi fails. 

6. Keep it simple. Consider your audience, do they really need to know every detail of your work or can you keep the conversation top level? 

7. Presentations, slides, videos. Use visual tools to keep your audience engaged. 

8. Don't over-share your screen. Check to make sure you are only showing what you mean to and close any unnecessary tabs. 

9. Ask questions. If you are hosting a presentation, make sure to engage your audience by asking questions and taking polls. 

10. Consider standing. You are more likely to project confidence when you’re standing. 

11. Practice good posture. Head up, shoulders back, chin up. 

12.  Keep it eye level. You don't want people looking up your nose while you're presenting. Good camera etiquette is always important.  

13. Eye contact. If you want to appear like you're making good eye contact. Look at the camera, not at your screen. 

14. Smile and relax. Keeping an upbeat attitude will lift the spirits of all your attendees. 

15. Go off script. If you're reading from a script the whole time, you may come off as robotic, and your presentation may feel forced.