15 Rules for Successful Online Negotiations
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 7:17 am
When we sit at the same table at business meetings, we usually look each other in the eye and use our peripheral vision to read information from gestures. Online, everything is different: despite the fact that our body has already jumped there, our head works the old-fashioned way and cannot “throw back” the screen. Remote negotiations have special rules: how to look, speak and even drink water. How can we avoid becoming a “talking head” at remote meetings and give more meaning to words in the virtual space?
Public speaking coach Dmitry Chumak , who has recorded dozens of podcasts based on our articles , recently held a webinar for those who want to correctly use the online format for business meetings. We recall the most interesting and useful of the advice given, which you will soon be able to use in Megaplan video chats.
Take care of your interlocutor
Your main goal in online meetings is to create the feeling that you are meeting in real life venezuela whatsapp list and there is no computer screen between you. This effect can be achieved with simple techniques.
Level the position , i.e. put the camera at eye level. Then your interlocutor gets the feeling of a personal meeting. If you are using a laptop, you can put shoe boxes under it, if you are using a phone, buy a special tripod.
Watch the distance to the camera. The amount of body in the frame should be controlled: it is important to show the shoulders, chest, arms and leave a little "air". Firstly, this way everyone can see that you are not distracted by extraneous matters, but are focused on the conversation. Secondly, you copy the picture from reality, as if you were sitting side by side at the same table.
Look into the camera, not at the screen. This allows you to be more persuasive and influential. By looking directly at the camera, you increase the status and weight of your words. It is also better to think into the camera, without turning your head away. Then, if you accidentally forget your words, everyone will think that this was the intention.
Choose a plain background or a background with few details at home. This could be a plain wall or a bookcase that won't distract your interlocutors from the essence of the conversation. Use diffused light so that it evenly illuminates your face. It's even better to combine daylight and artificial light - then there will be a minimum amount of glare on your face.
Choose a chair with a short back or no back at all , so that there is no temptation to lean back in a leisurely pose. The back should be straight, and the high back should not hang over your head.
Gesture and drink water carefully
Offline, we are in 3D space. Online, it's not like that, so you need to be careful with gestures, especially along the longitudinal axis. No, nothing is prohibited, but you need to consider the screen effect. For example, even a glass of water can unintentionally become the highlight of the program, instead of you.
Warning! You should only leave the frame to wet your throat if you are not performing. When you are in charge, you need to learn how to drink properly on camera. What does this mean?
Don't carry the glass across the entire screen. A moving object always attracts attention. It's better to carry the glass outside the camera in an arc/silhouette and raise it directly to the mouth. Introduce the glass into the frame along the shortest possible trajectory.
It is important not to cover your face or show the bottom of the glass. It is better to turn away slightly, while maintaining eye contact with the camera.
You don't need to lean towards the glass - the glass should be tilted towards you. This demonstrates that you are in control of the process, and not that the process is in control of you.
You should also carefully take the glass out of the frame. To avoid unexpected events during movement and water spilling out of the glass, it is better to fill it halfway. It is ideal to pour yourself a few incomplete glasses in advance.
You can use a straw to sip water during your speech, but the same applies: make sure you don't lean into the straw, but move it toward you.
Remember : the interlocutor's attention is where your attention is. If you focus it on some process, then the interlocutor's gaze will follow in the same direction.
Public speaking coach Dmitry Chumak , who has recorded dozens of podcasts based on our articles , recently held a webinar for those who want to correctly use the online format for business meetings. We recall the most interesting and useful of the advice given, which you will soon be able to use in Megaplan video chats.
Take care of your interlocutor
Your main goal in online meetings is to create the feeling that you are meeting in real life venezuela whatsapp list and there is no computer screen between you. This effect can be achieved with simple techniques.
Level the position , i.e. put the camera at eye level. Then your interlocutor gets the feeling of a personal meeting. If you are using a laptop, you can put shoe boxes under it, if you are using a phone, buy a special tripod.
Watch the distance to the camera. The amount of body in the frame should be controlled: it is important to show the shoulders, chest, arms and leave a little "air". Firstly, this way everyone can see that you are not distracted by extraneous matters, but are focused on the conversation. Secondly, you copy the picture from reality, as if you were sitting side by side at the same table.
Look into the camera, not at the screen. This allows you to be more persuasive and influential. By looking directly at the camera, you increase the status and weight of your words. It is also better to think into the camera, without turning your head away. Then, if you accidentally forget your words, everyone will think that this was the intention.
Choose a plain background or a background with few details at home. This could be a plain wall or a bookcase that won't distract your interlocutors from the essence of the conversation. Use diffused light so that it evenly illuminates your face. It's even better to combine daylight and artificial light - then there will be a minimum amount of glare on your face.
Choose a chair with a short back or no back at all , so that there is no temptation to lean back in a leisurely pose. The back should be straight, and the high back should not hang over your head.
Gesture and drink water carefully
Offline, we are in 3D space. Online, it's not like that, so you need to be careful with gestures, especially along the longitudinal axis. No, nothing is prohibited, but you need to consider the screen effect. For example, even a glass of water can unintentionally become the highlight of the program, instead of you.
Warning! You should only leave the frame to wet your throat if you are not performing. When you are in charge, you need to learn how to drink properly on camera. What does this mean?
Don't carry the glass across the entire screen. A moving object always attracts attention. It's better to carry the glass outside the camera in an arc/silhouette and raise it directly to the mouth. Introduce the glass into the frame along the shortest possible trajectory.
It is important not to cover your face or show the bottom of the glass. It is better to turn away slightly, while maintaining eye contact with the camera.
You don't need to lean towards the glass - the glass should be tilted towards you. This demonstrates that you are in control of the process, and not that the process is in control of you.
You should also carefully take the glass out of the frame. To avoid unexpected events during movement and water spilling out of the glass, it is better to fill it halfway. It is ideal to pour yourself a few incomplete glasses in advance.
You can use a straw to sip water during your speech, but the same applies: make sure you don't lean into the straw, but move it toward you.
Remember : the interlocutor's attention is where your attention is. If you focus it on some process, then the interlocutor's gaze will follow in the same direction.