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* The views expressed in externally authored materials linked or published on this site do not necessarily reflect the views of LexisNexis Legal & Professional.
Not long ago, video conferencing was a fancy, ultra-modern convenience. Now it’s a necessity for law firms and their attorneys.
And with the proliferation of online video conferencing services lately, most of us now feel somewhat comfortable in front of the camera. Gone are the days (hopefully) when a partner panic-calls you five minutes before a client meeting to ask how to turn their camera on.
As attorneys settle in to using video conference services in their daily workflows, it’s important to remember that, just as with any meeting, we must follow a few rules of video call etiquette (and common sense) before heading into the virtual meeting room.
Here are a few tips for attorneys looking to make the most of their video-conferencing experiences:
Your Firm’s Security and Integrity are Top Priorities
Make Sure Your Sound/Video Quality is up to Par
It’s a good idea to test your video and audio before the meeting. The last thing you want is fuzzy video or weird audio feedback interrupting an important conversation. It’s a good idea to invest in a quality microphone and headset. These are not absolutely necessary of course, but the enhanced sound quality will impart more professionalism. (And they’re not that expensive, either.)
Avoid Distractions and Respect Others’ Time
It can be difficult to find a completely quiet environment when working from home, so be sure to mute yourself when you’re not speaking. It’s also a good idea to turn off any social media distractions that may pop up on your phone or laptop. If you’re the one speaking, take time to think through your points beforehand so that you don’t eat up extra meeting minutes by rambling or going into unnecessary detail.
Be Professional
Not Every Meeting Needs to be a Video Call
Now that most attorneys are working remotely, it can be tempting to turn every meeting into a video meeting. But avoiding this temptation is important. Experts warn that something coined video conferencing fatigue is a very real thing, and that too many video calls can zap employees’ energy.
It is recommended to limit video calls to those that are necessary—and beyond that, turning on the camera at all should be optional.