Since the lockdowns, we real estate agents have had to develop a whole new set of work-related skills. Before, our job entailed mostly face-to-face interactions, emails, and texts. Now, we’re conducting our meetings over Zoom, and may be doing so for months to come. 

Today, we’re sharing our Top Ten Zoom Tips for Real Estate Agents; from sound and lighting tips to where your face should appear in the frame, our guide will give you the confidence to command the Zoom during your next meeting.

1.) Set the Scene: Sound and Set

The scene behind you will become the background for your audience. Ideally, your background should be pleasing to the eye. Choose either a minimalist wall enhanced by a few house plants, a large (and tidy) bookcase, or a well-decorated living room; the most important thing is to eliminate clutter and anything that might distract those you virtually meet with.

Next, think about acoustics. Rather than choosing an open space with a lot of room for sound to bounce around, choose a cozy spot with soft furnishings nearby. This way, the sound of your voice will be captured clearly by your microphone.

For improved voice quality, use a headset or wired headphone with a microphone. The microphone on your computer or laptop is likely going to struggle to convey the full depth of your tone.

2.) Dress Professionally

For most Zoom meetings, there’s no need to don a suit or blouse and slacks. However, it’s important to maintain at least a business casual appearance. We’re all stuck at home, so it’s tempting to throw on our sweats and kick back during meetings. 

Still, professionalism goes a long way toward maintaining the momentum we all need in our business efforts.

3.) Slow Wireless? Opt for Wired Connections

If your wireless connection falters or stutters during meetings, it’s a good idea to connect to your modem directly via ethernet cable. This will allow your connection to the team to remain at its maximum potential.

4.) Test Your Camera Angle

This is one that even professional newscasters have been flubbing, so 

don’t feel badly if you struggle with your angles. The trick is to ensure that the top of your head is nearly at the top of the frame, then sit back far enough that your shoulders make it into the shot. 

Think about the way you’re framed in your favorite professional photos; you wouldn’t be happy with a shot that captured you from the nose up, and your audience won’t be, either!

Before you join your next meeting, take the time to adjust your setup so that you’re properly framed in the shot. It’s best not to bounce the camera view around after you’ve logged into a conference call.

5.) Choose Proper Lighting

First, some things to avoid: light shining from behind you, light from right above, and light shining right into your face. Any one of these will create an image that’s difficult for your camera to capture and may entirely obscure your face. 

Your viewer shouldn’t be aware of light shining from any one particular source, but should be able to see you clearly.

What you’re aiming for may take some time to get right. Try to achieve soft but clear ambient light, ideally a mix of artificial and natural light sources, illuminating your face, but not washing it out. 

6.) Your Camera Lens is Your Audience’s Eyes

While you’re in a meeting, remember that your audience will experience eye contact with you when you are gazing into your camera lens directly. It’s important to switch your focus between your view of other participants and the camera. In this way, you’ll be able to keep track of reactions without leaving people feeling as though you’re staring below their view.

7.) Remain In-Focus

Once in a while, you’re going to have to reach over and grab a file, or bend down to retrieve a dropped pen—and that’s completely fine! Otherwise, though, try to remain still and in-focus. 

Any type of fidgeting, bouncing around, or shifting in your seat looks even more distracting over Zoom than it would be in person. 

If you struggle with sitting still, try going for a brisk walk before your meeting, or setting up a foam roller beneath your feet. When you feel yourself getting restless, rolling your feet back and forth gently may relieve your tension without creating a distracting motion.

8.) How to Master the Mute Setting

This one’s easy: if you’re not actively speaking, you should be muted. If you have trouble remembering to mute yourself when you’re finished speaking, consider using the space bar, which Zoom has established as their “touch to speak” tool. Hold down the space bar while you’re speaking, and let go of it when you’re finished.

Otherwise, any sound in your environment will go straight into your audience’s ears. Rustling paper, the click of your keyboard, your dog barking outside: it’s all going on blast if you’re not on mute.

9.) Eating: Never On-Camera!

We all have days where we can’t get a free minute to grab some lunch. If this happens to you, please turn your camera off—but only while you’re eating. Let attendees know you need to eat. Mute yourself, turn off your camera, and eat quickly. 

Clear up after your meal, check your face and teeth, then return to your computer. 

Turn your camera on, and when the moment is right, thank your audience for being patient with you. Chances are, they’ve been in the same boat, and won’t judge you—but they WILL appreciate your tact and good grace.

10.) If You are Presenting: Consider Standing Up

If your setup allows, stand up when you’re leading the meeting! Adjust your lens to capture you from the waist up, and make sure your head is near the top of the frame. Your energy will shift because you’re standing, and you’ll likely feel more confident and gregarious as a result.

We thank each of you for your cooperation and continued hard work as we power through this difficult time. Before long, we hope to gather back in our offices and hold meetings face-to-face. Until then, we look forward to seeing you over Zoom!