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This article republished from the\u00a0Zoom Blog<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Traditional business meetings are too often considered unproductive because there are so many delays and interruptions. Reliable, easy-to-use video conferencing platforms like Zoom have helped to restore meetings\u2019 reputations, but there are still ways to ensure all of your attendees get the most out of the allotted time.<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s just no substitute for good manners in all of our daily interactions, and they\u2019re certainly appreciated more than ever in workplace meetings. There are some age-old guidelines that comprise good meeting etiquette \u2014 being on time, maintaining eye contact, paying attention \u2014 and applying those same principles to our video meetings can go a long way toward a productive business environment. It can also help elevate your personal reputation into \u201cgreat meeting host\u201d territory.<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the most common-sense meeting decorum \u2014 avoiding eating and drinking, minding your body language, and being respectful to whoever is speaking \u2014 are no-brainers. So here are\u00a0<\/span>seven additional etiquette<\/span>\u00a0tips to help ensure a focused and effective Zoom Meeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Just like a real meeting or social event, you wouldn\u2019t initiate a conversation between two acquaintances who haven\u2019t met without introducing them. The same practice applies to a virtual meeting. Be sure to introduce all parties you are hosting at the beginning to create a welcoming environment and stimulate engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking at yourself on the screen while you\u2019re talking, it will seem like your attention is elsewhere. Direct eye contact into the camera while speaking gives attendees the impression that you are looking at them rather than off to the side, which creates an environment where everyone feels engaged and present in the conversation. Be sure to position your web camera and monitor at eye level so you can look into the camera and simulate that eye-to-eye connection with other attendees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You want your attendees\u2019 focus to be on the meeting content, not your messy office or your amazing art collection. By having a clean setting with work-appropriate art and decorations, you reduce the chance that attendees will get distracted. You should also try to attend the meeting from a quiet area that has minimal background noise and movement. Zoom\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>virtual background<\/span><\/a>\u00a0feature is an easy way to eliminate background distractions when you have to meet in a messy or busy location.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Notifications from messaging applications, ringtones, and applications running on your desktop can be distracting, which can make your attendees feel disrespected and undervalued. Mitigating these distractions helps keep the meeting focused and free from interruption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Check whether your microphone is unmuted and that your camera is on to ensure that all attendees can hear you and see you when you speak. If you notice that someone in the meeting is speaking but their microphone is muted, you can alert them that they are muted by requesting that they unmute their audio in the Manage Participants tab.\u00a0<\/span>You also can manage how you start and join meetings \u2014 with video on, entering a meeting muted, etc. \u2014 in your\u00a0<\/span>Zoom Meeting Settings<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The general rule for meeting hosts: Wait until everyone else has left the meeting before hanging up, so attendees can leave at their own pace and get any final words in before disconnecting. Zoom will assign an alternate host if the original host exits first, but it\u2019s not a good look. A host leaving everyone else in the meeting is much like bailing on your own party.<\/span><\/p>\n Inviting co-workers who don\u2019t need to participate or make decisions can be detrimental to the quality of the meeting. Because you can send other stakeholders a summary of the meeting via\u00a0<\/span>Zoom Chat<\/span><\/a>, you can limit the attendee list and keep the meeting streamlined. As an invitee, make sure to review any meeting invites you receive to determine whether you actually need to attend. If not, request a recording of the meeting or a summary to get the info you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You don\u2019t want to be the person in your organization known for scheduling lots of unproductive meetings. Practicing good video meeting etiquette is critical to ensuring that your meetings are professional, efficient, and valuable.<\/span><\/p>\n1. Make sure to introduce everyone at the beginning.<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Look into the camera when talking instead of looking at yourself.<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Ensure that you have a clean, work-appropriate background.<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Eliminate distractions and focus on the agenda.<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Be aware of your audio and video settings.<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. If you\u2019re the host, stick around.<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Only invite meeting participants who need to be there.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Practice good video meeting etiquette<\/strong><\/h2>\n