Page 38 - January 2020

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

Tips for a Better Online Presence - Part 1

Michelle Alba-Lim, DTM

As an online advocate and among the first to join the community of virtual club meetings, Michelle has seen it
all. In this two-part series, she shares a wealth of knowledge on how to be your best self in front of a webcam.

Whenever I encourage people to attend online online platforms (Zoom, GotoMeeting, Skype,
meetings, the common concerns I hear include etc.) have a camera icon that you can click on

“I’m not tech-savvy, “I don’t want to make a and off. While there are reasons to turn off your
fool of myself”, or simply “I don’t know how!” webcam, it’s generally recommended that you
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to attend online have it on. Attending online with your webcam
meetings. In fact, sometimes being too tech- off is almost like going into an onsite meeting

savvy can distract you (and others) from enjoying with your face covered (unless your religion or
the meeting. custom requires it). Listening to a disembodied
It’s okay to commit an occasional online faux voice coming from a black screen can be
pas. You’ll probably not go viral with 33+ million disconcerting for many online attendees. Plus,

views like Professor Robert Kelly did. And after what’s the point of attending online if people
you read this two-part article, you’ll hopefully can’t see your facial expressions, your gestures,
no longer be able to say “I don’t know how!” or your mesmerizing eyes?
I owe part of what follows to David Carr,

founder of Online Presenters (an online Make Eye Contact—Remember that when
Toastmasters club that meets on Monday you make “eye contact” by looking at other
evenings) and a consultant to companies that people in an online meeting, you are NOT
offer video collaboration alongside chat and making eye contact with them. What is the trick?

project/task management tools. Also to Sheryl Look directly into your computer’s webcam.
Roush, accredited speaker and popular presenter On laptops, it will be on the top center (above
at Toastmasters events (onsite and online). your screen). If you’re using a PC, the external
webcam might be attached on the side of your

Here are tips to present yourself better online: screen. Check for the location of your webcam
Turn on Your Webcam—If your laptop or device before you go into an online meeting. Making
has a webcam, switch it on when you attend an eye contact by looking directly into the camera
online meeting where video is available. Most requires purposeful concentration and feels

38 ONE COMMUNITY