Mastering Body Language For Online Meetings
Nonverbal communication has always been a really important part of building and maintaining strong relationships with others.
However, traditional body language cues have been lost mainly as more work meetings have transitioned online.?
Have you noticed this, too?
I remember in the olden days (4 years ago), with face-to-face meetings, it was way easier to deliver a critical point, build rapport and judge whether my audience was receptive to the message I was putting forward, but a lot of this is lost now because we now have limited view on a screen.?
However, nonverbal communication remains crucial, especially during work.
This post explores the significance of body language in online meetings and suggests effective substitutes for building/maintaining solid connections and driving successful outcomes.
The Importance of Body Language?
Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation.?
He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only.
Losing 55% of our ability to communicate effectively has an impact, so we must transition, and those who can will benefit the most.?
These are some reasons why it is important.
First Impressions: Non-verbal cues play a significant role in forming first impressions and establishing rapport.?
When you appear on screen, others begin forming opinions about your professionalism and trustworthiness.?
A genuine smile, steady eye contact, and open gestures can instantly build a connection and set a positive tone.?
Avoid not being organised before logging onto a meeting and shuffling screens and tabs on your computer.?
Trust and Credibility: Trust is everything. Your body language can reinforce your trustworthiness and competence.?
When others see you as confident and sincere, they are more likely to trust you and your product. This trust can be the deciding factor in whether your message lands with the intended audience.?
Engagement and Persuasion: Effective non-verbal communication enhances engagement and persuasion.?
Others are more likely to stay focused and interested when they perceive you as passionate and enthusiastic. Your energy, tone and conviction can be contagious, making you more compelling.
Avoid looking at your phone or getting noticeably distracted during meetings.
Challenges of Online Meetings
Let’s take a look at the challenges that exist with online meetings so we can address them.
Limited View: Online meetings only provide a partial view of your body, often reducing the effectiveness of gestures. This limitation can make it harder to express enthusiasm and engagement fully.
Where possible, avoid leaving your camera off. Doing this can completely break rapport.
Technical Issues: Lag and connectivity issues can disrupt the flow of communication, making it challenging to maintain a smooth and engaging conversation.
Be prepared with a Plan B for important meetings if all goes to S%^T.?When I use to give sales demos on an unstable SaaS platform, we'd have the dev team standing by and distraction techniques ready just in case.
Environmental Distractions: Background noise and surroundings can impact the quality of non-verbal communication.?
A cluttered or noisy background can distract clients and detract from your professionalism. More on this in a moment
Effective Substitutes for Traditional Body Language
Online meetings are here to stay, so we need to adapt how we communicate non-verbally to be more effective in communicating with others. Here are some suggestions.
Facial Expressions: In the absence of full-body cues, facial expressions become even more important.?
Emphasise your expressions to convey enthusiasm and sincerity. Ensure good lighting and position your camera at eye level for a clear view of your face, which, surprisingly, most people don’t do.?
A warm smile can go a long way in making clients feel valued and understood.
Vocal Tone and Pace: Your voice is a powerful tool. According to Mehrabian, it accounts for 38% of how we communicate.?
Use variations in tone, pitch, and speaking pace to convey confidence and emphasis. Practice speaking clearly and at a moderate pace to maintain listener engagement.?
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The way you say something can be as important as what you say.?
Gestures: To add emphasis and clarity, use hand gestures within the visible frame.?
Keep gestures natural and within the camera’s field of view. Even small hand movements can make your communication more dynamic and engaging.
Posture and Eye Contact: Maintain good posture and make virtual eye contact by looking at the camera. Note that this can be difficult to remember when using two screens.?
Sit upright and avoid slouching to project confidence and attentiveness. Virtual eye contact can help clients feel more connected and engaged.?
In addition, consider standing during important meetings as this will have an impact on your posture and vocal tone. When I host webinars or present to large groups of people, I always stand to help with confidence.?
Background and Environment: Too many people get complacent with their environment and don’t consider how it looks to others.?
A clean, professional background reduces distractions and conveys professionalism.?
Use virtual backgrounds if necessary, but ensure they are simple and not distracting. A well-organised space reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
Leveraging Technology to Enhance Non-Verbal Communication and Professionalism
Here are some tips for leveraging technology to boost your professionalism and enhance your communication skills online.?
High-Quality Video and Audio: Invest in good quality webcams and microphones to ensure clear communication.?
Crisp video and audio can make your interactions more engaging, be more professional and set you apart from the rest.
Use of Reactions: Utilise platform features like reactions to express emotions and feedback.?
These tools can help bridge the gap created by the absence of physical presence and help others feel encouraged and supported by you.
Screen Sharing and Visual Aids: This seems like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this. Use screen sharing to enhance explanations and maintain engagement.?
Visual aids can make your presentation more compelling and easier to understand.
Breakout Rooms and Polls: Facilitate smaller group interactions and use polls to gauge reactions and opinions. Smaller rooms can make it easier for others to communicate and boost productivity.
These tools can make meetings more interactive and engaging.
Practical Tips for Online Meeting Success
Preparation and Practice: Rehearse what you will say for important meetings and ensure all technology works correctly.?
Being well-prepared shows others that you value their time and are committed to delivering a professional experience.
Active Listening: Show attentiveness by nodding and providing verbal affirmations. Active listening demonstrates respect and helps build a stronger connection.
Follow-Up: Send a personalised follow-up message to reinforce key points and next steps.?
Follow-ups show others that you care about their needs and are dedicated to helping them succeed. There are many online tools to help summarise meetings to make this more manageable too.?
Conclusion
While online sales meetings present challenges to traditional body language, adapting and utilising substitutes can maintain the effectiveness of non-verbal communication.?
By focusing on facial expressions, vocal tones and leveraging technology, business professionals can continue to build strong connections and achieve successful outcomes.
Mastering the art of virtual body language is now a reality for many of us. By embracing these techniques, you can ensure that your online meetings are just as impactful and persuasive as face-to-face interactions.
Question for you.
Leave your response in the comments and I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Gavin