Now that group video chat is becoming more popular, there are a few things you need to know in order to use it effectively. Here are some tips on etiquette and tech preparation for group video chat:
- Make sure you have the right software and hardware:
- Be aware of your surroundings:
- Keep your voice low:
- Use caution when sharing personal information: ..
If you’re concerned about your breath, here are some tests you can do to help: -Zoom in on your tongue and see if there are any white patches or spots. This is a sign of bad oral hygiene. -Check to see if your breath smells bad. If it does, make sure to brush and floss regularly. -Take a sniff of your breath and see if it smells like garlic or onions. These smells are often indicative of bad oral hygiene habits. ..
Prepare Your Environment
Zoom can be a great way to connect with colleagues, but it can also create problems if not used correctly. Here are a few tips to help make the most of Zoom: ..
Make sure that your environment is adequately lit.If possible, pick a place with access control, like a door that can be locked.Try to choose a room that’s not too prone to echoes. Somewhere with a carpet, thick drapes and soft furniture is generally good.Check the room for sources of noise. A beeping device, squeaky fan or other similar issue will grate on the nerves of all the other meeting participants.Check the framing of your video stream carefully. Is there something inappropriate or distracting in view? Consider moving where you sit or moving those objects out of the way.
This is not a comprehensive list, so please think about the environment you will be using for your Zoom meeting and try to think if anything would cause problems.
Consider Using a Virtual Background
Zoom offers the ability to replace your background with a virtual one. This works the same as any “green screen” setup, but you don’t specifically need a green screen. As long as your background is a uniform color and evenly lit, you should get good results. Your virtual background doesn’t have to be perfect, but you can test it in the Zoom settings to make sure it works for you.
If you’re not getting great results, you can try lighting the background more evenly or invest in a pop-up green screen. There are even cool ideas like the Webaround chair-mounted green screen which makes it pretty easy to get coverage of the entire camera frame. ..
Have A Note-Taking Solution
To make sure that you have a good chance of understanding what is being said at a meeting, it’s important to keep track of what is being discussed. This can be done by using a note-taking solution, such as a pen and paper, or by using a tablet with a pen.
Some Zoom meetings are recorded. In which case you don’t need to take notes intended for reference after the meeting has ended. Instead, notes are useful for organizing your questions and feedback. It’s the nature of Zoom meetings that you probably won’t have much time to speak when it’s your turn. Keeping notes helps you make the best of the time you have.
Check That Your Screen Is Appropriate To Share
Always be prepared to share your computer screen with others during a meeting. This means making sure your wallpaper is appropriate for work, closing any applications that are open and might display private or sensitive content, and being ready to share your screen at a moment’s notice. ..
If you’re likely to use a web browser, it may be helpful to turn off automated search completion or use a portable browser that doesn’t have your search history. The last thing you want is for websites or search terms you’ve visited on your own personal time to show up on screen for the whole group to see.
Run an Internet Speed Test
If you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, it might be a good idea to run an internet speed test. You may not have enough bandwidth to participate in a Zoom meeting if your internet speed is too slow.
To have a successful Zoom group video call, your internet connection should be able to send at least 1 Mbps in both directions. This will ensure good quality streaming for everyone in the call. Ideally, you’ll want at least 3 Mbps to ensure smooth HD video playback. ..
If your internet connection is slow, you may need to troubleshoot your internet speed. This means checking to see if there’s enough WiFi signal strength and ensuring you’re not in a dead spot. If you have an Ethernet cable, try using it instead of WiFi.
Make Sure Your Webcam and Microphone Are Working
- Make sure your Zoom microphone and webcam are working properly.
- If they are not, you may need to update your software or fix some issues with the devices.
- Make sure you have the latest Zoom software and updates if you need them.
If you’re using a webcam and microphone, you’ll need to install software or drivers. Usually this is a plug-and-play experience. Open Zoom and select the settings cog. Select Video. Choose the correct webcam from the dropdown list, if applicable. Check the preview to see if it looks good (or if it appears at all). Adjust other settings, such as HD quality, to suit your needs. Select Audio and make sure the correct audio device is selected for both Speaker and Microphone.
We suggest that you tick the box “Mute my microphone when joining a meeting”, because that’s just good manners. Also, it prevents you from accidentally saying something you don’t want the rest of the people in the meeting to hear.
How to set up and use Zoom – is it better than Skype? Zoom is a great way to communicate with friends and family, but it can also be used for more serious business purposes. If you’re looking for an easier way to connect with people, Zoom is a good choice.
If your webcam isn’t working, Quick Fixes When Your Zoom Meeting Camera Isn’t Working can help you get that sorted in no time.
Join a Test Meeting
To join a Zoom meeting, you first need to call the Zoom test meeting service. This will confirm that all your gear is working and whether you sound good to the other participants in the meeting. If you encounter any issues with your mic, camera or internet connectivity here then you can simply go through the list of checks above again to find the issue. ..
Zoom is a great way to connect with people in a remote location. You can also use Zoom to host a meeting.
Technical Problems Happen, Then Life Happens
We hope your Zoom meeting went well and without any hitches, but the last thing you need to know is that some things are just out of your control. There is no amount of preparation or backups you can put in place to make sure that your meeting will go off without a hitch. Technical problems can always happen and you should just roll with them. ..
In a Zoom call, there are always things that can go wrong. Sometimes things will happen that we don’t expect. For example, if your cat jumps up on the desk and blocks the camera, that’s just life. It’s not worth getting worked up over. We’re all human beings and we’re all living under abnormal circumstances right now. So chill out, enjoy your meeting and rest assured you’ve done everything you reasonably could to run the right Zoom tests before your meeting. Now all you need to do is learn how to fake paying attention in a Zoom call.
