7 Actionable Etiquette Tips for Zoom Meetings

 About the Author: Elizabeth Soos

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In the past year the world has been dependent on video conferencing to keep business's running efficiently and putting people health and safety first.  Here are a 7 actionable Zoom tips before you go face to face with your co-workers and boss.

1. Pre-preparation.  Pre-send the day before, any work that needs to be discussed.  On the day prepare yourself and review what will be spoken about during the meeting.  If you are a pen and paper person! have it ready or a word document open to capture points.  If you are presenting, make sure your notes are on-hand or files open that you will be screen sharing, can be quickly presented.

2.  Backgrounds.  There are a few choices that professionals can take.  Zoom has come along way in 2020 and now professionals can choose a background that blanks out the room behind them.  Or a blank wall with few bits of well-placed furniture items.  What is no-go-zone for professionals, is distracting backgrounds such as a bed, an untidy room, used dishes and cups left on bookshelves or tables!

3. Before Appearing.  Minutes before you go online, use the amenities to freshen up.  Never start eating, chewing gum or sucking on lollies, it can be very distracting.  Have a bottle of water and clean glass and be on a couple of minutes early for the meeting.

​4. Everyone should contribute.  You can add value to online meetings, by allowing everyone the opportunity to talk and express themselves which will show that you are a team player.  To get the meeting flowing and avoid those awkward first few seconds, is by preparing yourself and speaking up early.  By taking ‘active steps’ can display your initiative and that you have the organisations best interest at heart.  

​5.  Contributing at an online meeting.  I teach all my students, to treat online meetings, as though they are going to a meeting in person.  This is the time to show that they treat work in a professional manner.  Having the camera off can be seen as non-contributory to a presentation or group discussion and in fact may lead people to think you are hiding and don’t want to be there. 
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You may have tipped over your coffee or the kids are making ruckus in the background.  Turning the video function off while you are not speaking for 30-40 seconds can help everyone at the meeting stay focused and get back to been seen, as soon as possible.

​6.  The chat feature function.  The best time to use the chat feature is when the moderator has given the green light or only after the main meeting points have been covered.  Be aware everyone has access to your ‘chat’ so keep it professional and refer only to the meeting in that feature.

7. Meeting reviews and reporting.  If you are the person to write up a review or report, keep the momentum going and have it typed up and sent as soon as you can.

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