Turning on Cameras in Zoom

Should you turn on your cameras during your demos?


I am bullish on A/B testing and here's what my team is currently testing:


Turn your cameras on for the first 5-10 min of the demo when you’re going through intros.


Then turn it off during the demo.


Then turn it back on when you’re talking about pricing and next steps.


Why do this? I find that it lets everyone focus on the demo instead of getting distracted with the video on the entire time.

👑 Sales Strategy
📣 Demos
10
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
4
Head of Sales Development
A must!
rekled
Opinionated
2
Strategic Account Executive
Oh interesting. I always have my camera on, but will explore your suggestion above. It sure will provide me with more flexibility to move / drink water / throw the bird, etc. as opposed sitting like a stiff during the demos.  
mistamor
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
that's the idea...ish.. 
Rachet
Politicker
1
Account executive
I would love to see the results and to see if that has any measurable success.

Personally, I just keep it on the whole time and I'm usually focused on the client I am talking to and the Demo to really even notice my own face. But if you starting have a lot of success I'll probably steal it. 
mistamor
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
I've seen salespeople get thrown off their game slightly when they noticed the prospects made a “face” without realizing. Instead of focusing on offense, they’re focusing on defense too much. But again, I’ve done demos with camera on also the entire time and it was fine. Which is why I test everything consistently. Our teams demo conversion rate is way above 80% so testing helps along with ongoing coaching.

steal it - that's why I posted ;) 
HarryCaray
Notable Contributor
1
HMFIC
curd
Opinionated
1
AD
Camera on so i'm forced to be presentable tbh
mistamor
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
very true..
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Camera on so i'm forced to be presentable.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
Oh interesting. I always have my camera on, but will explore your suggestion above.
Bittersweet0326
Politicker
0
Digital Business Associate
That's an interesting test. What's the metric? Sales numbers or something else? Personally I prefer staying on video. Most everything before the demo is over the phone so the more they can see my beautiful mug and realize I'm a real person, the better off I am.
mistamor
Opinionated
0
VP of Sales
demo conversion rate
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
I usually let the client guide me when it comes to camera usage.  If they pop up on their camera then I'll meet them. If they turn off, I'll go off.  
MBerns
0
Account Executive
Cameras on cameras on. Its to try an invoke the same attention as you would form presenting in the same room. Watching demos over a video platform is twice as hard to be engaging. If your camera is on they’re likely to keep theirs on. Turn yours off it’s likely they will mirror. The more visual yoy are the more they’ll feel obliged to follow. With regards about being thrown off on demos - I get that it’s happened but at the end of the day it’s about them not us! 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
I do if the customer has their camera on.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Oh interesting. I always have my camera on, but will explore your suggestion above. It sure will provide me with more flexibility to move / drink water / throw the bird, etc. as opposed sitting like a stiff during the demos.
136
Members only

[POLL] Zoom cameras on or off?

Question
482
On camera or off for (external) zoom calls
65% On - my choice
8% On - company policy
5% Off
23% Depends on if the prospect has his/hers on or not
1354 people voted
5

🤫it's ok... you can tell me... Why is your camera almost always OFF during Zoom calls?

Question
16
ALT: Are you annoyed when your camera is ON during a 1:1 but theirs is OFF
68% Yes (comment why)
8% No (comment)
20% Depends (comment)
5% My CSM is almost always off... I'm here to see what others think about me
40 people voted
58
Members only

Do you always have your Zoom camera turned on?

Question
89