Video Mentoring Best Practices

Follow these suggestions for a professional and effective video mentoring session:

Dress Attire

Wear neutral, muted, or pastel solid colors. Avoid plaids, stripes, polka dots, busy patterns, very bright colors, and the colors white or red. Jewelry should be small, simple and quiet.

Lighting

Make sure the room has adequate lighting, typically what would be used for standard office work. Minimize distracting glare and uneven lighting by closing shades and doors. Add a desktop lamp if needed to overcome back or side-lighting.

Audio Quality

Ensure the microphone is turned on. Speak in a normal volume; do not shout.

Distracting Sounds

Focus is always to be on the person or people at the other end of your video call. Turn off all phone sounds, avoid typing on the keyboard, and close yourself in a room with no or minimal background noise.

Start on Time

Connect to the video call 10 minutes prior to meeting start time to ensure an on-time start.

Conversation Starter

Before launching into the formal agenda, ask “How’s your day?” Confirm this meeting time is convenient and that you have all participants’ full attention.

Speaking Manner

Speak clearly and talk directly into the microphone. Do not turn head from side to side while talking or voice will fade in and out. Minimize interrupting others.

Eye Contact/Look Directly into Camera

Making eye contact will give the other person the impression that you are looking directly at them.

Microphone Muting

Keep the microphone muted when not speaking for several minutes. This is especially important when there are multiple people involved in the call. When the microphone is on, minimize side conversations. Do not rustle papers, tap near the microphone or type on the computer. Any sounds made will be heard by the others and can be distracting.

Physical Movements

Be natural, but limit excess movement to avoid looking jerky on screen. Hand movements can distract your audience – minimize speaking with hands.

And Finally, Just Be Yourself

Relax and have a good time.