With continued impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID – 19) pandemic, millions of people across the globe are maintaining social distance to stop the spread of the virus. Due to this sudden shift, many of us are missing birthday parties, anniversaries, family gatherings and other events. As the COVID -19 continues to disrupt public gatherings, we had to quickly adapt to virtual gatherings to connect with our loved ones.
For those who are geographically dispersed, video conferencing or video calls are the best way of interaction next to in-person meetings.
Video conferencing platform, Zoom is one of the most popular tools that has been increasingly utilized post Covid. Zoom helps lots of people to stay connected and engaged during this crisis. Kids are hosting remote birthday parties, friends are organizing virtual dinner parties and students are using it as a platform for learning. And, the interesting fact is that people are even thinking of live streaming their wedding through Zoom, if the situation persists.
Video conferencing have now become an integral part of our life to adhere to the social distancing norms. But to ensure a positive and lively experience during Zoom meetings there are some general etiquette to be followed. Here are some tips to use Zoom as effectively as possible to have a better experience.
1.Do your homework and make sure it works
When you are preparing for virtual gatherings via Zoom, give yourself some extra time before the call to check the software, wi-fi connection and to set things properly. Always log onto the call little early. Check if the audio and video works properly. Once everything is ready and the call has started check whether everyone in the call could hear and see you.
2.Let’s Introduce Ourselves
In a face-to-face gathering like parties, we always introduce ourself and our friends to others in the party so that everyone knows each other. Similarly, in a video conference, introduction is even more important as people may not know each other.
Make it a practice to introduce yourself and everyone in the call at the beginning. It is also good to introduce someone who joins late in the call. This helps everyone in the call to feel comfortable.
Likewise, when you leave a meeting, don’t immediately exit the group, instead you can say ‘Linda, it’s been really nice chatting with you’, ‘Rina, really great to have met you’. This way you make other people in the call feel recognised and also it makes you more distinguished.
3.Let’s wait for our turn
During conference calls, an aspect that makes everyone frustrated is, when one participant talk over another.
For instance, when there is a pause when someone is talking, ensure that they have finished their talk and then convey your points. Sometimes it is normal that two persons start to talk at the same time, but correct this as quickly as possible, otherwise the audio may be distorted and no one could hear both. So, it is always better to avoid interruptions and let one person talk at a time.
In case if you find someone else is speaking over other. What should you do?
Try using Zoom’s ‘raise hand’ function or chat function. When someone else is speaking and if there is any point that you want to convey, you can use chat function to convey your point. This way you can avoid interruptions during meeting without audibly disturbing anyone who is speaking. Another way to share your thoughts without interrupting anyone is to call out the person’s name who is speaking.
4.Have a private chat
In real life gatherings, you may not know about everyone in a party, but someone may want to chat with you when you are in a table for dinner. These kind of private chats are now possible during online video meetings.
Zoom provides a chat feature where people can chat in private with other person during meetings. You can send messages in private to other person if you have to say something private.
Always remember to take your chat to the side so that you are in line with your meeting with other participants.
5.Set your background
Before novel coronavirus outbreak, video meetings took place in office where the background was mostly a wall. But, today scribbled walls, kids fighting over toys, hanged clothes, dust bins and other members in the home are visible in a video call attended from home. This might distract other people in the call and also you may feel uncomfortable while others see your private space.
In order to avoid these type of distractions and make the participants in the call attentive you can set virtual backgrounds in Zoom. When setting a virtual background, you can make participants to stay focused and also it enables more private and comfortable video calls.
To make the virtual backgrounds in Zoom work properly, you need to sit in front of plain background or even a green screen.
6.Stick to time
Being punctual shows a person’s respect for people and time. When you have made plans with your friends for a dinner or going for a shopping mall and if you’re late, your friends get annoyed.
Likewise, if you are about to attend a video meeting with your friends via Zoom, your late arrival makes other people to feel that you don’t care for them. In order to avoid being late, spend some extra time before the call to test your computer and internet connection.
During the social distancing, many people may have calls with their close-ones from different time zones very often. So, it is good to maintain appropriate timing for gatherings.
7.General practices
Make it a practice to follow all the other social basics that we do in person. Also, don’t forget to follow the general practices of Zoom including facing natural light, keeping the camera at eye-level or higher and making sure you dressed well and look good.
Here are some of the tips to look great on video calls.
It is obvious to feel overwhelmed even with all the advanced technology available with us to stay socially connected during this pandemic crisis. In order to make life comfortable for you and others, remember to keep up your time, be calm and maintain some limit on video calls even though it is a causal gathering with your friends. If you could follow these guidelines, you can avoid the feeling of loneliness or being overwhelmed and get the most out of these online social interactions
If you can develop a positive mind-set and learn to manage stress, you can manage any kind of problematic situation including COVID -19. Be energetic, so that together we can fight against Corona virus and create a better tomorrow.
If you use zoom or other video meeting apps for your work, school or entertainment, you would definitely recognize the below ‘interesting’ people – virtual Victor to overdressed Oviya. Read more to enjoy the funny side of zoom meetings. : We All Know One!
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