Is There a Better Way to Use Zoom Video Conferencing Software?

As the pandemic drags on, more employees are beginning to feel the effects of Zoom burn-out. To avoid that and make better use of your time and video meetings, you need to find the best tips for using Zoom. Then you can minimize your meeting time and maximize the video conferencing software that’s gained so much popularity and notoriety in the past few months.

These tips for using Zoom may not all apply to your situation, but everyone who uses Zoom in any capacity will be able to gain some benefit by reading through this list of tips. Note that many of these suggestions are meant for those with paid Zoom accounts, not those who use the service for free.

Great Tips for Using Zoom

You’ve attended or held Zoom meetings. You may even recognize the pitfalls of the technology, from attendees who seem distracted to hosts who drone on and on. To get the best use out of the experience, follow these tips:

1. Schedule your recurring meetings. Zoom meetings aren’t always one-off events. If you hold a regular meeting through Zoom, you can schedule them all on a recurring schedule. The advantage of this feature is that you can use the same link for the meeting every time you hold it. You may still send out invitations, but the link is always the same.
    
2. Invite your attendees to get to know Zoom. You don’t want your attendees to be playing with backgrounds or accidentally mute themselves when speaking. If they’re new to Zoom, make sure they’ve already set up their default options and are already familiar with the software.
    
3. Have a list of talking points before you start. Don’t go into any meeting unprepared, but especially not a virtual meeting. To avoid burn-out for all your attendees, make sure you stay on target. You can accept questions and comments during your presentation, if that’s important to you, but keep the meeting moving forward.
    
4. Adjust your own video before you start. No matter what kind of device you’re using to connect to the meeting, make sure you come across visibly and in complimentary lighting. Make all your adjustments before joining the meeting to look as professional as possible.
    
5. Test your audio before joining the meeting. Make sure you’re audible, but not screaming at your attendees. If you’re using a built-in microphone, test the clarity and volume before you join your meeting.
    
6. Pick a neutral background. Be careful of using the Virtual Backgrounds that come with Zoom. While they may look cool, they take a lot of computer power and may cause parts of you to fade in and out if you tend to move around a lot. It’s better to find a place in your home or office that can make a neutral backdrop for your video meeting.
    
7. Silence all the other notifications on your devices. Don’t let everyone else know that “You’ve got mail” or that your Amazon package has just arrived. Keep it professional.
    
8. Mute all attendees when they arrive. Keep chatter to a minimum. You don’t want your group to be talking over you with each other. They’re in the meeting to get what you have to give. Of course, this is a meeting, not a video. When it’s appropriate, open it up for questions or allow feedback at times. And mute yourself when you’re not speaking.
    
9. Share your screen when appropriate. You don’t need a slideshow presentation for a Zoom meeting. Sometimes, you just want to show the interface to your software or a cool website. Get creative.
    
10. Remember you’re in a meeting. Behave just like you would in a face-to-face meeting. Dress appropriately, at least from the waist up. Be respectful of others. Remain professional at all times because people are watching you, even if it’s not your turn to talk. Don’t multi-task.

Remember these 10 tips for using Zoom, and you’ll have shorter, more productive meetings. You’ll feel better about them, and your attendees will thank you. That means they’ll come back for your next virtual meeting.

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