Today’s question about speaking on video is about eye contact. Where should you look when speaking? It doesn’t really matter, as long as you are consistent.

If you are delivering a really important message or recording for an audience to watch later, looking in the camera as much as you can will be most impactful. This is exhausting and takes a lot of energy, so save it for those most important moments.

Another powerful option is to “make eye contact” with someone on the screen because when you do, you get all the benefits of eye contact in real life. Oxytocin is released and along with a hormone which mimics the feeling of being in love. The person you’re making eye contact with won’t even know that you’re connecting with them so intimately, and you will still get all of those good feelings, which we need so much right now.

But the real benefit of using eye contact as an anchor is that it grounds your physical attention in the present moment so that you can think on your feet and align your thoughts and words.

And another option: When I’m teaching, I’ll often have my notes in a sticky note at the top of my screen, as close to the camera as possible. I’m always either looking at my notes or at the camera, but I’m really committed to whichever one I choose in the moment. This has the effect of anchoring my attention and grounding me in the present moment. It also helps my audience understand what I’m saying and feel more connected.

What questions do you have about speaking on video and communicating in quarantine? For more videos, visit @presentvoices.co on Instagram.