How to Read Body Language during Client Video Meetings

As many people are now working remotely due to social distancing measures taken to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), video meetings are more important than ever. Like many of you, the AMBA team use Zoom for our weekly webinar series, team meetings and more.
However, videoconferencing can create a divide between the people communicating. Guaging responses to presentations and conversations is tough over video. Still, there are several body language and facial expression cues that you can read on camera. Listed below are some tips to read the body language of your client in a video meeting.
Notice the posture
No matter what the video quality is, you can easily notice their body posture. Make sure you watch the client’s posture throughout the video meeting and pay attention to changes. An individual who goes from sitting straight to leaning back depicts boredom. An interested client will sit straight up with expressions of interest.
Subconscious gestures
Small gestures reveal a lot about a person, a lot more than an individual can even realize. Strong active nods are a sign of agreement, while a tilt shows confusion or disagreement. The person’s hands, light tapping on the table, and fidgeting are often signs of boredom or distraction.
Facial expressions
Eye contact is a great way to understand facial expressions and to keep the client engaged. If the person is furrowing their brows or ignoring eye contact, you may have lost the individual’s interest. On the other hand, if the person’s brows are relaxed and there is a smile on the face, it’s a positive sign.
Movement
Video conferencing limits you to watch only the person’s face and upper body, but you can still see a lot of individual movements. Shifting position now and then is a sign of boredom. It could also show that the person finds it difficult to sit still for long. Videoconferencing has its limitations, but it can still be used to determine important things about your clients.