Zoom Meeting Best Practces
This guide will help you get the most out of your vFBLI experience. For best results, please use a Laptop or PC rather than your mobile phone. For a better user experience, we recommend being in one place for the duration of the meeting (rather than on the move).
Prepare for the meeting
1. Set up your equipment
- Download the Zoom desktop app.
- If you are presenting, decide whether you will use one monitor or two monitors.
- Get a headset and microphone if you have them, to reduce background noise. In most cases, the headphones and microphone that work with your mobile device will work with a laptop.
- Test your audio and video
- Review how to share your screen if you will be expected to present.
- Close unnecessary tabs in your browser and turn off notifications such as Email or messaging.
2. Look your best
- Lighting should come from in front of you or from the side, in order to best light your face.
- Keep your background clear of distractions.
- Look at your webcam, not at the screen.
- Use gestures and mannerisms that you would typically use in person.
Participate productively
1. Make sure everyone can hear you
- Use a microphone when you speak.
- Make sure the microphone is on and close enough to pick up your voice.
2. Help everyone focus
- Don’t have side conversations.
- If you aren’t talking, mute or turn off your microphone.
- Avoid noisy activities like typing while your microphone is on.
3. Reduce Distractions
- It is helpful to be in your office, home, or other quiet environment for the meeting.
- Sit or stand somewhere with a neutral background (or use a virtual background).
- Make sure your camera is on a steady surface to prevent shaking.
- Turn off your camera if you need to take care of business outside of the meeting (ex. someone in-person needs your attention). Turn the camera back on when you are present in the meeting again.
- To focus on the meeting, it is helpful to turn off or mute distractions including mobile phones, televisions, and radios.