Video conferencing technology has become nearly ubiquitous since the beginning of the pandemic. Many people are still working remotely; continuing to have virtual meetings allows everyone to connect to one another, whether they’re in or out of the office. However, running meetings with so many people at once in different locations requires everyone to adhere to proper etiquette in order to allow the meeting to proceed smoothly. Here are some tips for being a better virtual meeting host or participant.

Keep it Quiet

You should always try to find an area of your space where you will be undisturbed when participating in meetings, but regardless of whether or not you have a quiet environment, it’s polite to mute yourself during meetings when you’re not speaking. There is generally a microphone icon that you can click on to turn off your microphone and then click again in order to speak. Make sure to check that everyone is able to hear you before you start a discussion.

Be Aware of Your Environment

While it may be tempting to curl up on your bed in your pajamas all day, remember that you are still attending a work function. Find a clean and well-lit place to sit while at the meeting and wear appropriate attire for your work environment. If you don’t have anywhere you want your colleagues to see, most video conferencing programs will allow you to use a virtual background instead of filming the one behind you.

Be Prepared

Especially if you’re the host of the meeting, it’s a good idea to make sure all of your materials are prepared ahead of time and that you arrive at the meeting early to work out any technical issues that may arise. Many things can interrupt virtual meetings like internet connectivity issues, problems with microphones, or inaccessible presentations. Checking that everything works ahead of time is vital to providing a smoother video conference experience for everyone.

Since video conferencing is utilized so frequently in the modern workplace, it’s important for those using it to have a good understanding of the technology and how to use it in a way conducive to a professional environment. Use these tips to help facilitate more efficient and productive meetings in the future.