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5 Rules for Virtual Meetings
It’s Still a Meeting!
The most important rule to bear in mind? Even though it’s virtual, you should still treat the meeting as seriously as you might any other professional meeting. Prepare your notes, presentation or pitch beforehand. Be on time, dress professionally (from head to toe) and generally behave as if you were sitting in a boardroom.
Sure this sounds simple enough, but in practice, we’ve all been guilty of playing it a little looseygoosey with virtual meetings. Even if you’re not the host, it’s respectful of everyone’s time to treat these meetings as important.
Check Your Settings
Before the meeting even gets started, ensure everything on your end is up and running without a hitch. We’ve been at this a long time, so any avoidable glitches will reflect negatively on you. What’s merely embarrassing for you is frustrating for everyone else.
The Vocal Hdake
Don’t just jump right in; take a moment to greet all participants warmly. This engages everyone on the call – and gives you a few seconds to sniff out any technical hiccups that might waylay the meeting.
It’s Not a Monologue
Leave pauses for participants to chime in, and stop speaking if you hear someone try to interject a thought. Remember that there will be a natural delay in their feedback, so let a little silence hang after you ask, “Any questions so far?”
End with a Summy
It can be difficult for participants to keep up with all the small details of a virtual meeting. Wrap up the meeting by shooting an email to everyone, outlining your notes from the conversation. Be sure to include action items or a plan for the next steps moving forward. • whoa! who did that? OUR
