Best Practices for Zoom Meetings

This guide is for anyone who wants to use the online video conferencing system Zoom for basic meeting and learning tasks.

Prepare for the meeting

Set up your equipment

  • Download the Zoom desktop app and encourage guests to do the same
  • Get a headset and microphone if you have them, to reduce background noise
  • Test your audio and video
  • Close unnecessary tabs in your browser

Look your best

  • Lighting should come from in front of you or from the side, not behind you
  • 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

If you are the host

  • Share housekeeping details with attendees.
    • Remind participants to mute mics when others are presenting or speaking.
    • Review how to mute people’s mics on your end, in case participants don’t or won’t.
    • Let participants know how they can get your attention during the meeting.
      • Will you be checking the chat window?
      • Should they unmute themselves to speak up?
    • Start the recording (or set up automatic recordings) if appropriate.

If you are a participant

  • Use a microphone when you speak.
  • Make sure the microphone is on and close enough to pick up your voice, no matter what location you are in.
  • 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.