In recent years, businesses have been forced to doing more business through virtual meetings with clients. It’s a good thing though! Video calls have opened up new opportunities for business owners, expanding their reach beyond local borders! But, it requires finding ways to still look professional while navigating a platform that could highlight a number of flaws.
Suddenly people are more aware of how they appear when doing video calls with clients or when having staff meetings. While some take chances and stayed in their PJs, others smarten up their online appearance by dressing in business polo shirts, displaying their company brand. Should you give your look a second thought perhaps?
If you’re struggling to improve your appearance on video calls when meeting clients, read on!
Table of Contents
3 Top Tips: Instantly Improve Your Appearance on Video Calls When Meeting Clients
1. Avoid Sloppiness – Dress Appropriately
Let’s begin with how you dress.
Video calls have been a novelty for a majority of people in the past few years, with up to 76% more Australians going online since 2019. In the beginning, the biggest discussion was how to get away with wearing your PJs or tracksuit without anyone realising it! But, dressing sloppily shows even on virtual calls.
Dressing right for the screen influences how you present yourself to your clients and colleagues. It affects your mood, and can give you more confidence while looking professional—IF you dress correctly.
Most style experts agree that business casual wear isn’t only acceptable but also maintains an element of professionalism when meeting through a screen. Improve your online appearance when meeting with clients by including these in your workwear wardrobe:
- Collared, button-down shirts or blouses
- Business polo shirts
- Dresses that cover the shoulders and don’t have low-plunging necklines
Opt for solid, neutral colours and avoid prints or patterns which could become distracting when on a screen.
2. Lighting Matters
Up to 82% more Australians are using video conferencing to conduct meetings since two years ago. So everyone will be smart to understand how you can look your best online.
Getting the lighting right matters if you want to look professional when participating in video calls. Your clients want to see you clearly and you want to avoid looking washed out or worse, have every pore on your face glaringly obvious!
The best type of lighting for looking good on video calls is natural light. This can be achieved by positioning your seating while facing a brightly lit window. If natural lighting isn’t an option, use warm, white indoor lighting. Position a reading lamp behind your screen, two to three feet away from you. The light should hit your face, naturally illuminating it for the screen.
3. Self-Care and Grooming
Self-care and grooming is important when you want to look your best during virtual meetings with clients. This means taking the time to brush your hair or styling it so it looks elegant and well-cared for. It also means keeping up with your shaving routine to avoid that stubble look that might look charming on some men but just plain scruffy on others!
Wearing make-up goes a long way to improving your online appearance. Although, rather avoid garish colours when picking lipstick. Other make-up tips include:
- Dark circles under the eyes: These are instantly highlighted when you’re on a video call. Use lightweight eye concealers to cover up those “been up all night” circles.
- Taming face ruddiness: If you suffer from rosacea, breakouts or facial skin irritation, the camera will pick it up and enhance the redness of your face. Apply liquid concealer on the areas that normally go ruddy.
- Eyebrow grooming: Well-defined and groomed eyebrows will lift your appearance instantly. Use tinted eyebrow pencils to tame your brows while giving you a groomed look.
- Add some blush colour: The camera tends to wash out your look when on the screen. Dabbing some blush colour on your cheeks will prevent this from happening.
When grooming yourself for a video call, don’t forget to check your teeth. The camera isn’t forgiving when you go live and will highlight flaws such as spinach that got stuck in there.
Quick Tips for Improving Your Appearance on Video Calls
So, now you know how to instantly improve your appearance. But, here are some quick tips to also help you look your best whenever handling a video call meeting:
- Angle the camera correctly: The webcam should be at eye level to avoid your clients having to look down your nostrils or stare at your hairline.
- Keep your background simple: Minimise distractions by keeping your background simple. Avoid cluttered or busy backdrops.
- Use the right posture: Slouching during a video call creates a bad impression so make sure you’re sitting up straight. A comfortable chair can do the trick.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous benefits to going digital as a business owner. This includes being able to conduct virtual meetings with clients worldwide. But, appearance on the screen matters as much as meeting clients in person. Making the effort to improve your virtual appearance will show your meetings are successful and your revenue increases.
In recent years, businesses have been forced to doing more business through virtual meetings with clients. It’s a good thing though! Video calls have opened up new opportunities for business owners, expanding their reach beyond local borders! But, it requires finding ways to still look professional while navigating a platform that could highlight a number of flaws.
Suddenly people are more aware of how they appear when doing video calls with clients or when having staff meetings. While some take chances and stayed in their PJs, others smarten up their online appearance by dressing in business polo shirts, displaying their company brand. Should you give your look a second thought perhaps?
If you’re struggling to improve your appearance on video calls when meeting clients, read on!
3 Top Tips: Instantly Improve Your Appearance on Video Calls When Meeting Clients
1. Avoid Sloppiness – Dress Appropriately
Let’s begin with how you dress.
Video calls have been a novelty for a majority of people in the past few years, with up to 76% more Australians going online since 2019. In the beginning, the biggest discussion was how to get away with wearing your PJs or tracksuit without anyone realising it! But, dressing sloppily shows even on virtual calls.
Dressing right for the screen influences how you present yourself to your clients and colleagues. It affects your mood, and can give you more confidence while looking professional—IF you dress correctly.
Most style experts agree that business casual wear isn’t only acceptable but also maintains an element of professionalism when meeting through a screen. Improve your online appearance when meeting with clients by including these in your workwear wardrobe:
- Collared, button-down shirts or blouses
- Business polo shirts
- Dresses that cover the shoulders and don’t have low-plunging necklines
Opt for solid, neutral colours and avoid prints or patterns which could become distracting when on a screen.
2. Lighting Matters
Up to 82% more Australians are using video conferencing to conduct meetings since two years ago. So everyone will be smart to understand how you can look your best online.
Getting the lighting right matters if you want to look professional when participating in video calls. Your clients want to see you clearly and you want to avoid looking washed out or worse, have every pore on your face glaringly obvious!
The best type of lighting for looking good on video calls is natural light. This can be achieved by positioning your seating while facing a brightly lit window. If natural lighting isn’t an option, use warm, white indoor lighting. Position a reading lamp behind your screen, two to three feet away from you. The light should hit your face, naturally illuminating it for the screen.
3. Self-Care and Grooming
Self-care and grooming is important when you want to look your best during virtual meetings with clients. This means taking the time to brush your hair or styling it so it looks elegant and well-cared for. It also means keeping up with your shaving routine to avoid that stubble look that might look charming on some men but just plain scruffy on others!
Wearing make-up goes a long way to improving your online appearance. Although, rather avoid garish colours when picking lipstick. Other make-up tips include:
- Dark circles under the eyes: These are instantly highlighted when you’re on a video call. Use lightweight eye concealers to cover up those “been up all night” circles.
- Taming face ruddiness: If you suffer from rosacea, breakouts or facial skin irritation, the camera will pick it up and enhance the redness of your face. Apply liquid concealer on the areas that normally go ruddy.
- Eyebrow grooming: Well-defined and groomed eyebrows will lift your appearance instantly. Use tinted eyebrow pencils to tame your brows while giving you a groomed look.
- Add some blush colour: The camera tends to wash out your look when on the screen. Dabbing some blush colour on your cheeks will prevent this from happening.
When grooming yourself for a video call, don’t forget to check your teeth. The camera isn’t forgiving when you go live and will highlight flaws such as spinach that got stuck in there.
Quick Tips for Improving Your Appearance on Video Calls
So, now you know how to instantly improve your appearance. But, here are some quick tips to also help you look your best whenever handling a video call meeting:
- Angle the camera correctly: The webcam should be at eye level to avoid your clients having to look down your nostrils or stare at your hairline.
- Keep your background simple: Minimise distractions by keeping your background simple. Avoid cluttered or busy backdrops.
- Use the right posture: Slouching during a video call creates a bad impression so make sure you’re sitting up straight. A comfortable chair can do the trick.
Final Thoughts
There are numerous benefits to going digital as a business owner. This includes being able to conduct virtual meetings with clients worldwide. But, appearance on the screen matters as much as meeting clients in person. Making the effort to improve your virtual appearance will show your meetings are successful and your revenue increases.