A Guide to Video Chat Etiquette

If you are new to the world of video chat, or the world of telecommute there are some basic rules to using a video chat.

• Dress professionally.  Unless your normal office environment is a casual one you will want to dress like you would to go in.  If you have to stand up or sit at a distance this means full body.  Your black sweat pants won’t fool anyone.
• Remember your lens range and bring things that you are talking about into view.  Talking about the chart that no one can see isn’t productive.
• Find your body space before the conference/meeting.  You head, shoulders and upper 1/3 of your torso should fit comfortably into the screen, without dominating it.  Don’t be too big or too small. If you are still unsure about what is right look at a television news caster.

From here on in it is standard meeting etiquette. Remember that video chat is the telecommuters version of going on a business trip.