Despite wishful thinking, we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing and face coverings are being used to slow the spread, but the best way to avoid contracting the disease is to stay at home. This does not mean that your legal practice has to slow down or suffer; it means that your attorneys and support staff need to get comfortable using technology to communicate quickly.
Video conferencing has quickly become the norm for all types of businesses. While it may feel uncomfortable to invite coworkers and clients into your home through a video connection, there are ways to do it that will both make you feel comfortable and ensure that your message gets heard.
Below are some tips for adapting to communicating remotely.
- Set the stage. In order to successfully conduct pitches and complete oral arguments, your entire focus should be on the task at hand, not on the technology or the setting. Choose a spot in your home with an aesthetically pleasing background and a secure internet connection. If possible, set up your office space behind a locked door to avoid unscheduled interruptions from children or pets.
- Practice looking directly at the camera. It will be tempting to look at your computer screen during your pitch or argument, but if you do that, you will not be making eye contact with viewers. Instead, look directly at the camera lens. This is not a natural spot for the eye to land, so it will take some dedicated practice before it becomes second nature.
- Use the raise-your-hand method. Interruptions over video conferencing are challenging to manage and often result in multiple parties speaking over one another. Instead, set the precedence that if you have something to say or a point to make, you raise your hand and visually know that you would like some input.
Remember, everything is adapting to this unique routine, and it is natural to go through some growing pains. If you want your practice to stand out during these difficult times, then train your legal team for remote work the way you would train a spokesperson for a media interview. The marketers at Abogados Now can also provide some insight into practicing law during the COVID-19 crisis. Reach out to us today and get us working on a campaign for you.
