Six Video Conferencing Tips for Remote Workers

COVID-19. Damn that word and the epidemic it rode to town on. As we all confront a new reality for at least a while, including recommended social distancing, remote work and far less sports, I am left wondering how we can help do our part at MG Marketing? For starters, we’re all working from home for at least the next few weeks, maybe longer. Yes, we’re a small crew, but every bit counts, and I’d rather break the chain than spread this virus to one single person. I’m still thinking about more ways to help, but as a digital agency we’re already very comfortable with virtual work and video conferencing. So, for those who may be delving into remote work for the first time or perhaps are not accustomed to video conferencing regularly, here are six video conferencing tips for remote workers, to help your next virtual meeting run smoothly.

1. Consider these video conferencing/sharing platforms:
   1. Skype – completely free, but you have to share user ID’s and “friend” each other. Best for teams that regularly work together. Slack is another solid alternative.
   2. Google Hangouts – also completely free, just send an invite through the Google Calendar app.
   3. Zoom – if you need a paid version, this is our recommendation. Great plans starting under $20/month and it’s super easy to use.

2. Audio is king. Don’t use your computer speakers or speakerphone. Make sure you have a good set of headphones to minimize background noise and go hands free.

3. Have your content ready. Pre-load webpages and have any documents open that you are presenting. This reduces load time and keeps the meeting moving.

4. Mute. If you have a large number of people on the call, consider muting the group by default, in order to cut down on background noise. This is best if it’s an internal team meeting, but prospects or clients might find this annoying if they are required to “hand raise” in order to ask a question.

5. Know your audience. Is it casual? Or more buttoned up professional? It’s ok, even good in my opinion to let your audience see a peek into your personal life, but you have to know the group you’re meeting with in order to make this decision.

6. Keep it short. Nobody likes long meetings, and this is especially true for web-based meetings. Don’t waste the group’s time. Keep it under an hour max, even 30 minutes if possible. If you really think it will take longer than one hour, consider breaking up the meeting into multiple sessions.

I hope you enjoyed these six video conferencing tips. Want some inspiration for your next virtual presentation? Check out our gallery!

Want more tips? Email us at info at mg dot marketing or give us call – glad to help!