Video conference is not just for communicating with business associates. Families can stay connected and so can friends from all across the globe. Cyberspace and the Internet has changed lifestyles and lives forever. You don’t even need email if you can video conference with your friends or loved ones who are miles away.

If you want to use Internet Video conferencing effectively here are some tips and factors that will help in effective Internet video conferencing, especially for the official or business kind.

• Devices

While using Internet Video Conference you need to have the right kind of devices. You will need a powerful Internet connection, one with a large bandwidth. The most popular bandwidths are Ethernet and ISDN. Also make sure that your computer is set up with the necessary camera and speaker and microphone.

• Illumination

The whole point of ‘video’ conferencing is that the person with whom you are conferencing can see you. The illumination must be appropriate for this and so should the lighting. There should be fluorescent lights placed in strategic places. But do not set up lights behind the speaker, as this will hamper visibility.

• Eye contact

Do not use cue cards while you are on an Internet video conference. This just makes it look like you are giving a presentation, and to be quite honest the person on the other end will know that you are using cue cards. It is best to maintain eye contact or in this case virtual eye contact during the entire period of the conference.

• Ear contact

Now this is a term one would think they haven’t heard. This means that the audio of the video conference needs to be appropriate, as you need to listen carefully and respond to the other person. Talk slowly and distinctly for the other person to understand what you are saying. Do not sound bored or monotonous.

• Visual aids

Use other aids during the presentation like props or photographs this makes it more interesting than a boring conference where the people are only speaking and doing nothing else.

• Exchanges

It is advisable that you pause between statements and allow the other person to speak and interact with you. A video conference is not a monologue it is a dialog between two or more people. This improves the overall interaction in the process of the conference.

• Etiquette

There is something called etiquette that needs to be maintained at all times. It is just a few levels of decorum that need to be maintained while you are in the process of video conferencing. Yawning, fidgeting and irrelevant banter is frowned up.

All these factors or tips will ensure that your Internet Video conference is a success. If need be use a moderator for official and business purposes. Otherwise all you have to do is be clear, hear and be heard.