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The Art of Speaking  

5 common Zoom mistakes

By Wade Paterson 

In 2020, many of us were introduced to Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms.

While this technology is helpful in allowing us to maintain business and personal relationships via video meetings, there are a few common mistakes many people continue to make on these platforms.

Below are the Top 5 Mistakes Speakers Make on Zoom Calls (and how you can avoid them).

Mistake #1 – Not Looking at the Camera

Eye contact is one of the most important skills of a polished public speaker. Effective eye contact keeps the audience engaged and makes everyone feel included in the presentation.

So how the heck do you make eye contact through a computer or phone?

While it may feel awkward, it’s important to look directly at the camera when speaking on a Zoom meeting.

Even though you can’t see the eyes of your audience, they will have the feeling that you are looking directly at them, which will help keep them engaged with what you are saying.

It’s OK to glance at the screen to see others’ reactions and facial expressions from time to time, but you want to be looking at the camera at least 80% of the time.

Mistake #2 – Swivelling in Your Chair

When you’re sitting in front of the computer all day, a comfortable swivel chair is a much better option than a chair that doesn’t move at all. But when it comes to a Zoom meeting, the opposite is true.

A common mistake speakers make on Zoom calls is swivelling in their chair as they speak, which is distracting for the audience.

One thing you may want to consider is keeping a stationary chair somewhere in your office. When it’s time for your Zoom meeting, you can substitute the swivel chair for one that doesn’t move.

If this isn’t possible, you’ll have to make a mental note to sit still with good posture, because we often swivel without even thinking about it.

Mistake #3 – Not Understanding When to Use the Mute Button

Perhaps the most common mistake people make on Zoom calls is not understanding how (and when) to use the mute button.

This is one of the first things you want to familiarize yourself with if you’re brand new to Zoom, because if you don’t mute your microphone when someone else is speaking, any background noise from your surroundings could be incredibly distracting for everyone else on that call.

On the other hand, if you’ve muted yourself and someone asks you a question, you want to quickly be able to unmute yourself to answer without hesitation.

Of all the mistakes, this is likely the most common, and the most important one to avoid.

Mistake #4 – Using a Virtual Background

Some people may disagree with me on this point, but I’m going to say it anyway: it is a mistake to use a virtual background on a Zoom call.

The Zoom virtual background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom meeting.

While this option seems ideal from a branding perspective (or to hide clutter stacked behind you in your office), from a psychology standpoint, virtual backgrounds take away a layer of trust from your audience.

When you use a fake background, others on the call may subconsciously question what you are hiding.

In my opinion, you’re better off cleaning up the space behind you and letting others see you in your natural environment.

Mistake #5 – Forgetting About Traditional Public Speaking Skills

Even though your meeting is virtual, it doesn’t mean you can’t use essential in-person public speaking skills such as: body language, vocal variety and speech structure.

If you’re telling a story that requires hand gestures, bring those hands up into the view of the camera to utilize body language. Speak loud (or soft) to emphasize a point. And if you’re giving a full presentation, make sure it has a beginning, a middle and an end.

By avoiding these 5 common mistakes, you will come across as a professional, virtual speaker.

If you’re interested in learning more about being an impactful communicator, head over to my YouTube channel.

Wade Paterson is a champion public speaker with Kelowna AM Toastmasters.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Wade Paterson is an award-winning Toastmaster who is passionate about Impactful Communication.

His columns and accompanying YouTube videos are focused on helping others become more confident public speakers and communicators.



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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