Just like in person meetings, virtual meetings come with some best practices. If you’ve never hosted a virtual meeting here are some general tips:
Microphone: Make sure you are not muted! You can check this by looking at the microphone (located at the bottom of the screen) and check whether or not it’s switched on. This can be done by just clicking on it. It’s also best to minimize background noise and try to speak one at a time.
Viewing options: you can choose how other people’s videos are displayed. We recommend “gallery view” for GoToMeeting, Zoom and Skype. And for Google Hangout you can choose “tiled” layout by clicking on the three dots located on the bottom right and selecting “change layout”.
Chat feature: all of these platforms also have a chat feature which allows you to write to the whole group or an individual member. This can be useful if you have a particular chatty group and need to get a message across or just sent out a reminder.
Snacks and drinks: just because you are meeting virtually doesn’t mean you have to hold the cheese and crackers. So pour a cup of coffee, glass of wine, pop some popcorn, show off your cheese board and have some fun!!!
COMMENTS
Jasmine Strain
Mar 31, 2021 - 4 years
Excited to host my first virtual event & launch my bookclub on April 1. Definitely appreciate this platform & these tips :)
Michele Harris-Dixon
Feb 28, 2021 - 4 years
wonderful tips and all I use. Great sharing but mostly I am grateful to Ann Ford and Team of Bookclubz for making my life so much easier than building a website to do all they have here.
Koffey Brown
Oct 21, 2020 - 4 years
My group is using ZOOM and I find that it is better then meeting in person. Only because no one has to rush when they get off work to arrive at an particular location. It’s worked out well for us. Sometimes we have dinner during our group meeting and most times we have wine 🍷
Tom Stoodt
Aug 22, 2020 - 4 years
You can also plop your laptop on a ten dollar lazy suzan and adjust where the patio groups single laptop camera is "looking." Just a slight side to side is easy. Chasing speakers not suggested to avoid motion sickness :)
Tom Stoodt
Aug 22, 2020 - 4 years
A tip for hybrid meetings where some are "zooming" in and others are safe distancing on a patio. If you can, limit the in person group to a single microphone like a single laptop. Trying to have live microphones on devices that are too close will cause feedback and echo.