Virtual meetings face the same problems that meetings in person face, but with additional distractions and technological hurdles. Luckily, you are able to conduct effective virtual meetings by following some simple meeting etiquette.
A schedule is crucial to running virtual meetings on time, and to keeping participants engaged throughout the session. You can also encourage participation by asking open-ended questions, soliciting feedback, and assigning roles to take notes or document the next steps.
If you’re preparing slides or other visuals for your presentation, make sure to test them prior to time, along with any other software or hardware you might require. Be sure to arrive on time to ensure you have enough time to correct any technical issues that arise prior to your scheduled start time.
It’s impossible to discern the body language or feelings when you’re unable to see the people in attendance. Therefore, try to make eye-contact with everyone, or request them to do so. Also, you should choose an area that is quiet with no distractions so that you can focus on the meeting. Shut off your microphone if you’re not speaking.
You can ask for feedback at end of a session, if you are the moderator. This will help you identify areas for improvement, and also gives participants a clear understanding of how their input was appreciated. In the last two minutes of a meeting it’s an excellent idea to provide a brief overview of the next steps, and to track any action items that are assigned.