Look Confident on Video Calls
Thirty-two ways to look confident on video calls, from camera angle to posture to the little signals that travel.
Video shrinks you to a rectangle. Make every inch count.
40 tips that really help
These ideas come from Presence (Amy Cuddy), What Every BODY Is Saying (Joe Navarro), The Definitive Book of Body Language (Allan and Barbara Pease), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Video shrinks you to a rectangle
On a call, people see only your face and shoulders in a small window, so every small movement counts more. Good camera height, light and a few deliberate gestures make you look calm and capable.
Spend five minutes setting up your camera before your next call.
Camera at eye level
A camera that looks up at your chin or down on your head distorts your look. Raise your laptop on books until the lens is level with your eyes.
Put your laptop on a stack of books.
Sit an arm's length away
Sitting too close makes your face loom and sitting too far makes you small. About an arm’s length shows your head and shoulders nicely.
Check your distance with a test call.
Frame head and shoulders
Show your head, shoulders and a little of your chest. Leave a small gap above your head. It looks professional and lets people see your gestures.
Adjust your frame in a test recording.
Light your face from the front
Face a window or put a lamp slightly behind your screen. Light from behind hides your face and makes you look tired.
Turn your chair to face the light.
Keep a tidy background
A simple background keeps attention on you. Remove clutter or use a neutral wall.
Tidy what the camera sees.
Sit tall, relaxed
Good posture shows on camera even from the waist up. Sit back with your back supported and your shoulders relaxed.
Reset your posture before you join.
Look at the lens
Looking at the lens, not the screen, feels like eye contact to others. Use it at key moments.
Look at the camera for your main point.
Smile at the start
A warm smile as you join sets the tone for the whole call. Smile with your eyes and say hello.
Smile as you greet.
Nod visibly
Slightly bigger nods on video show you are listening. Small nods get lost.
Nod clearly while others speak.
Use your hands in frame
Gestures within the frame add life to your talking. Keep them between your chin and your waist so they are visible.
Gesture within the frame.
Do not hide your hands
Hands out of view can make you look closed. Bring them into the frame occasionally.
Bring a hand up as you speak.
Avoid constant movement
Swaying or fidgeting looks magnified on camera. Keep your body fairly still and move deliberately.
Settle your body.
Avoid leaning too far in
Leaning toward the camera exaggerates your face. Sit back a little.
Sit back.
Avoid touching your face
Touching your face or hair is very visible on video. Keep your hands calm.
Rest your hands.
Hide self-view
Watching yourself makes you self-conscious and pulls your eyes from the lens. Hide it.
Turn off self-view.
Use headphones
Clear audio helps you look and sound confident. Headphones reduce echo and let you hear better.
Wear headphones.
Mute when not speaking
Muting reduces noise. Unmute with a smile when you start.
Know your shortcut.
Dress for the frame
Solid colours look clean on camera. Avoid tiny patterns that shimmer.
Choose a plain top.
Test before the call
A quick test shows light, sound and frame. A minute of testing saves stress.
Do a test.
Scene: a job interview on video
Look at the lens for answers, sit back, smile and keep your hands visible and calm. Test everything the night before.
Rehearse once on camera.
Scene: a team meeting
Keep your camera on if possible, nod and use the chat. You will look engaged and present.
Show up fully.
Scene: a client call
Look at the lens, speak slowly and smile. Clarity and warmth win trust.
Prepare three key points.
Scene: a presentation
Stand if you can, look at the lens and use clear gestures in the frame. Share your screen smoothly.
Rehearse sharing.
Scene: a one-to-one
Mix looking at the lens and at the face. Keep your face soft and nod.
Be warm.
Scene: a webinar
Speak to the lens as if to one person. It feels personal to many.
Imagine one friend.
Scene: a family call
Look at the lens and smile for relatives. Children and elders love direct looks.
Look at the camera.
Scene: a date over video
Choose a quiet, well-lit place, look at the lens at warm moments and smile. Be yourself.
Relax and smile.
Handle lag
Lag makes people talk over each other. Pause a beat before replying.
Wait a beat.
Handle interruptions
If something interrupts you, smile and say “Sorry, one moment.” Stay calm.
Stay composed.
Handle technical glitches
If your video freezes, smile, say you will reconnect and stay calm. Have a back-up device ready.
Prepare a back-up.
Handle fatigue
Video calls are tiring. Take breaks, stretch and look away from the screen.
Stretch between calls.
Take care of your eyes
Look at something far away every twenty minutes. It rests your eyes and keeps your face relaxed.
Look away for twenty seconds.
Take care of your voice
Sip water and speak at an easy pace. A calm voice goes with a calm face.
Drink water.
Use virtual backgrounds wisely
A blur is fine. Avoid backgrounds that cut around your hair. A real tidy room is best.
Test your background.
Practise with a friend
Do a test call and ask how you look and sound. Small tweaks help.
Ask for feedback.
Record yourself
Watch a one-minute recording and note two things to improve.
Record and review.
Be kind to yourself
Everyone looks a bit odd on video. Do your best and relax.
Smile.
Celebrate looking at ease
When people say you look calm and confident on calls, enjoy it.
Note a compliment.
Arrive a minute early and settle
Join a minute before the start, check your face on screen, take a slow breath and smile at early arrivals. Starting calm makes the rest of the call easier.
Join one minute early to your next call.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.
“Hi everyone, thanks for joining.”
“Can you all hear me clearly?”
“Let me share my screen.”
“Would anyone like to add something?”
“Thank you all for your time.”
“Talk to you all soon.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Raise the camera
Frame head and shoulders
Light your face
Sit tall
Look at the lens
Use your hands
Smile at the start
Further reading
- Presence (Amy Cuddy)
- What Every BODY Is Saying (Joe Navarro)
- The Definitive Book of Body Language (Allan and Barbara Pease)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
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Start freeThese lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.
More lessons in “Body Language”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Look Interested Without Trying HardNext: Read a Room by Reading Faces →
- Your Posture Is Your First Sentence
- Stand Tall Without Stiffness
- The Open-Shoulder Reset
- Walk Into a Room Like You Belong
- Where to Put Your Hands
- Take Up Your Fair Share of Space
- Sit Like You Mean It
- The Warm Face Habit
- Smile With Your Eyes
- What Your Face Says When You Are Nervous
- Relax Your Jaw and Your Brow
- Look Interested Without Trying Hard
- Look Confident on Video Calls
- Read a Room by Reading Faces
- Open Palms Build Trust
- Gesture Between Shoulders and Waist
- Stop Fidgeting Without Effort
- Stop Touching Your Face
- Match Your Gestures to Your Words
- Hands in Pockets: Yes or No?
- The Power of Staying Still
- Crossed Arms Do Not Always Mean No
- Spot Comfort and Discomfort
- Notice Feet and Direction
- Mirror Gently to Build Rapport
- Check Words Against Body
- Read Before You React
- Ask Instead of Assuming
- The Ten-Second Entrance
- A Handshake That Says Yes
- Dress to Feel Like Yourself
- Greet First, Smile First
- Be Fully Present With One Person
- Leave a Warm Last Impression
- Body Language in a Job Interview
- Body Language on a First Date
- Body Language on Camera
- Body Language in Groups
- Body Language When Giving Bad News
- Your Daily Presence Practice
