[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://augpl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/main-3.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_stretch=”true” enable_3d=”true” speed_factor=”1″ min_height=”600″ full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ skip_arrow=”true” sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1585922270901{margin-top: -2px !important;margin-left: -10px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” fullwidth_content=”false” css=”.vc_custom_1618996268707{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #d61d28 !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”44″ font_weight=”900″ margin_bottom=”10″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]How to look good & nail your zoom meetings[/mk_fancy_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1585749592108{padding-top: 80px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”span” size=”21″ line_height=”140″ font_weight=”600″ font_style=”normal” font_family=”none”]Online meetings have taken the world by storm. More and more people have to adjust to working online. Find out how to look best for your next online business meeting. [/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447659759{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]WORDS: CINDY NELL-ROBERTS[/vc_column_text][mk_dropcaps style=”fancy-style” size=”40″ padding=”20″ background_color=”#d61d28″ text_color=”#ffffff”]C[/mk_dropcaps][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447677580{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Cindy Nell-Roberts, former Miss South Africa and business owner shares her beauty secrets and make up tips on how to look at your best for your next online meeting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448053818{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]An online meeting is a real meeting[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447706852{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It’s not a voice call, it’s considered rude to not switch on your camera unless you have explicitly indicated this in your communication upfront. In which case no parties should turn on their cameras since it’s not nice for some people to feel “watched” and not know who is on the other side of their screen, if they are being recorded, taken photos of, unauthorized or agreed attendees present etc. So when you make a meeting with someone online, expect to be present fully as if you were meeting in person. It does not excuse you to make a physical appearance it only facilitates you not to have to travel your body to another venue to do so. In this way technology makes it possible to connect more with less travel and protecting ourselves from in person physical touch interaction but it is not an excuse to stay in your pyjamas, look untidy or act in a disrespectful or impolite manner.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”https://augpl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/1-1.jpg” image_size=”full” frame_style=”gray_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row column_padding=”” css=”.vc_custom_1652448141184{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1585750327380{padding-right: 20px !important;}”][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Wear make up[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447758702{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Wear makeup and dress up! You are your brand. People buy people, this is as relevant as it was even before online meetings. In fact your appearance online should be even sharper. Dress to be confident. Be sure to check out Essence, Cosmetix, Catrice and Caribbean on social media for beauty tips and tricks to give you that professional finish and make you feel confident on screen. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448145450{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Lighting[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447785230{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Make sure the light comes from behind your PC screen and there is not light shining from behind you. This not only makes you appear like a silhouette but also shines in people’s eyes and affects your appearance. Invest in a selfie light if possible or place your meeting space in front of a window with good natural lighting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448150007{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Avoid distractions[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447814457{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As cute as your shirtless husband walking around in the background is, it screams “this women is not fully immersed in this meeting or their clients’ needs”, again, think of an online meeting as if you were in the boardroom but remotely. (No naked husbands, screaming children, barking dogs, lawnmowers, eating or taking your medication etc.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_image src=”https://augpl.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2-1.jpg” image_size=”full” frame_style=”gray_border”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448178281{padding-top: 60px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Don’t move around[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447878909{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It’s extremely distracting for the other people in the meeting if you are walking around while your video is on. Switch your camera off when you are moving around or have to do something or be excused and back on when you are seated (be sure to have a profile picture loaded so that when you are switched off your image is still present). Always mute your mic after you have greeted until you need to comment or present. Practice using the hands up emoji to request a speaking turn from the presenter. These are all new skills to learn yes, but online meeting are here to stay, Covid-19 or not. May as well get on top of it, there was a time none of us knew how to work Facebook, you can do it, believe in yourself and practice. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448184081{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Check your background[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447908844{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]If you cannot have a clean wall or relevant space behind you, use the digital backgrounds. I sometimes sit in front of the essence or Catrice or Caribbean tan stands in our boardroom to showcase the brands to clients but am specific about what is behind me, it speaks to your personal brand and position and is an opportunity that should be utilized to showcase yourself and your business in the best possible way. Even if it’s a parent teacher meeting it says a lot about you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448225447{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h4″ size=”28″ font_weight=”900″ font_style=”normal” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none”]Check your eye level[/mk_fancy_title][vc_separator color=”custom” align=”align_left” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#d61d28″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652447943822{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Your face should always be eye level to the camera looking the screen and viewer straight in the eye. Subconsciously if the camera is above you the viewer looks down on you, if the screen is lower than your eye line you create the perception that you are looking down onto the viewer. The goal is for everyone in the meeting to be (as one would be around a table) equal. Also bear in mind that if you are looking down onto your screen chances are viewers look into your nostrils and your features appear out of proportion and looking at a part of your roof can be disorientating and distracting.
I always put on makeup before a Zoom, it gives me my edge. Even men can wear a little bit of powder to not look so shiny on camera. Use a great foundation like the Catrice HD liquid foundation or the True Skin foundation, do a quick brow with brow mascara and some fabulous lashes with Lash princess from essence that really takes 30 seconds to take you to a pro make up look. Wear nudes on your eyes and dark brown eyeliner. Since it’s an online meeting – there is no better time than now to wear a shiny gloss to show off your lips! If you are showing your arms and shoulders make sure they are tanned, it’s the ultimate grooming tip. It just finishes and brings it all together for that much groomed look. You are effectively on screen now for every online meeting, so be a star.
If your make up is done you will be more confident and you will perform better in the meeting. Remember to smile a lot and keep your hands on your lap or taking notes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1652448215846{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1652448008658{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Our Contributor
Cindy Nell-Roberts is a former Miss South Africa, television presenter and business owner of Cosmetix. Follow her on Instagram @cindy_nell[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]