Wow. Where to start? Several weeks have passed, but it feels like it was yesterday...
First off, I only recently found out my laptop even had a webcam. Who uses that? If I want FaceTime I’ll just grab my iPhone, right? But a new client requested a software demonstration and a video chat seemed to fit the bill, so I was off and running.
The concept of video conferencing has been with us for years, but has only recently taken off as a viable means of communication. After all, the logistics of adding a visual component to a session are exponentially more complex than a simple audio-based phone call.
But I digress. Here’s what happened: I had set up a free account with FreeConference.com, knowing their Online Meeting Room would be perfect for the demo, then sent my dedicated meeting link to the client. So far, so good! At our pre-arranged time, she clicked the link, I clicked mine, and we were in. I brought up the software — complex, but workable. This was going great! I was happy, and the client was sold.
Giddy from the positive exchange, I wasn’t even thinking when the client suggested finishing up the conversation with webcams — a brief face-to-face before signing off. Fine, right? Except that I clicked the Onscreen Video Button without ever realizing that I’d been conducting the demo shirtless! Bad enough that I didn’t shave that day, but thinking we’d only be viewing software, I didn’t even bother to put on a shirt (proper attire is not always one’s first consideration when working from home). The horrified look on her face was enough to jolt me into reality. After all, the head-and-shoulders view probably made it look like I was naked!
I mumbled a quick apology and clicked off the video. Whew! Another crazy day in software sales. Happily, the client seemed satisfied with my follow-up email explaining the snafu. I’ve learned one thing though: ALWAYS put on a shirt before conducting another video call.
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