If you have used Zoom these past several months, there may be features you’re not aware of that can make for a better meeting experience.
You’re likely familiar with the basics in Zoom, but there are a ton of shortcuts to make better use of the program. Whether it is a one-on-one meeting with a student or a presentation to the college, these tips will allow you to show up in the very best way.
1. Change your background
You likely know that Zoom has the option to use a virtual background. There are some default ones pre-set, but step it up with a beautiful (royalty-free) photo from a website like UnSplash.
To change your background, Click on Settings > Virtual Background.
If your system won’t support virtual backgrounds, be sure to check for updates to the Zoom application. Get there by clicking on your image or initials in the upper right of the application window and then selecting Check for Updates.
2. Mute everyone at once
If you’ve been in a meeting with a mysterious sound in the background or a need to restore order quickly, you may have clicked on the Mute All button in the participants panel. There is a faster way!
Using Alt+M on a PC or ⌘Cmd+Ctrl+M on a Mac will mute everyone.
3. Come in quietly
If you’ve ever tried entered a Zoom meeting late, then you know the usefulness of being able to enter quietly. Doing so allows the meeting to continue without disruptions.
Set this up before the meeting.
Open the Zoom app and click Settings. On the Audio tab, click the box to add a checkmark to mute the microphone when joining a meeting. To turn your microphone back on while in the call, use the button at the bottom of the screen.
Additionally, you can turn off your video when joining a meeting. This setting is found under Settings in the Video tab. This can help to make sure you are situated or when dealing with video quality issues or low bandwidth.
4. Mute and unmute with the spacebar
Need to speak up in a meeting but don’t want to fiddle with accessing the mute button?
Press and hold the spacebar. This will temporarily unmute you as long as you are holding the spacebar.
There are also a lot of other Zoom keyboard shortcuts.
5. Show names
Zoom can show the names on participants’ windows for you, like virtual nametags. Go to Settings > Video and check the box for Always display participant’s name.
6. Use Zoom’s beauty filter to blur
Soften the edges — so to speak — with Zoom’s beauty filter.
Go to Settings > Video. From there, check the box for touch up my appearance. Zoom will soften the focus on your camera.
7. Use emojis
We can unmute, and we can chat … but did you know we also have Reactions?
Show thumbs up or down, celebration, or a heart (new reactions may be added with future updates) in the corner of your video. You can locate them at the bottom of the meeting screen. Look for the Reactions button on the right side of the Zoom window.
8. Quick invite
If you’ve ever been in a Zoom meeting and thought of someone who should be there, then this tip will come in handy.
Type Alt+I on a PC or ⌘Cmd+I on a Mac to open the Invite window.
From here, you can copy the URL to send via Teams or click on the Email tab to send it directly from Outlook.