Zoom basics: 13 tips and tricks for better meetings
Zoom basics: 13 tips and tricks for better meetings
In the age of remote work, video conferencing software like Zoom has become a popular way to stay connected in the workplace.
But there are so many features in these tools that it’s often hard to figure out what settings are available and how to change them.
Here are some basic Zoom tips and tricks to get you started with the popular video conferencing platform.
Getting started: Zoom desktop and mobile app basics
Before you start using Zoom, you must first install either the desktop client or the mobile app on your device, depending on the device you’re using. Visit the Zoom Download Center for all download options. You can also download the mobile apps directly from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Once you’ve installed the client or app, you’re ready to start a meeting. You can do this by following the steps below, both on desktop and mobile devices:
- Sign in to your account using your email and password. If you haven’t set up an account yet, visit the Zoom login page and click the orange button in the top right corner of the page that says “Sign up, it’s free” or “Sign up, it’s free.”
- From a desktop or laptop, select New Meeting. From a mobile device, tap the Meet & Chat icon at the bottom of the screen, then click the orange button at the top of the screen that says “New Meeting” (See screenshots below) .
- Then click Start a Meeting.
- The meeting will start. On a desktop device, a box will appear asking if you want to call using internet audio ( Call using Internet Audio ) or dial in ( Dial in ) . If you choose the Internet audio option, you will be able to speak and listen to others using your desktop device’s microphone and speakers. If you choose the dial option, you will be able to talk and listen using your phone. The system will provide you with a list of phone numbers that you will need to dial to access the meeting. On a mobile device, a box will appear that says, “To listen to others, join the audio.” The only option for mobile devices isCall using internet audio ( Call using Internet Audio ).
- A gathering of one is not a gathering: you have to invite others to the party. From the desktop client , click the Participants icon from the meeting, and then click the Invite button ( Invite ) at the bottom of the screen. A box will appear where you can either copy the link from the invitation or click on the email tab, where you can send emails to invitees. From your mobile device, click the Participants icon at the bottom of the screen, and then tap Invite in the lower left corner of the screen. You will then be offered the options ofSend Email , Send Message , Invite Contacts , and Copy Invite Link to get relevant details to the right people .
How to schedule and host a Zoom meeting
In the business world, impromptu meetings are often frowned upon and it is appreciated that they are scheduled in advance. You can schedule a meeting by following these steps:
From a desktop
- Click the Schedule icon on your Zoom login page.
- Fill in the meeting details and click the Schedule icon at the bottom of the screen.
- At this point, a new email inbox will appear on your screen with the Zoom meeting information. Once here, you can add email addresses to send invites to attendees.
- When you’re ready to start the meeting, go back to the Zoom home screen and click the Meetings tab at the top of the box.
Select the meeting you want to start on the left side of the page, and then click the Start button to start the meeting.
From a mobile device
- From the home page, tap the Schedule icon .