When Zoom exploded in recognition in 2020 due to the pandemic, many individuals put in and used it for the primary time. This necessity led to just about everybody sticking to the fundamentals of digital conferences.
However in the event you’re nonetheless solely utilizing the core Zoom options, you’re lacking out. There are a great deal of methods to make your calls rather more enjoyable and helpful, although it’s not at all times apparent that they exist.
And that’s why we’ve highlighted eight of the perfect right here. If you wish to enhance your video calling expertise with out shopping for a brand new webcam or microphone, look no additional: we’ve received suggestions that can assist.
Crucially, all these options can be found on the free model of Zoom. Eradicating the 40-minute restrict is the principle perk of paid plans (from $149.90/£119.90 per 12 months), however a workaround is out there.
1. Cease taking a look at your self
All of us wish to look presentable on video calls, however it’s not a good suggestion to maintain taking a look at your self throughout a gathering.
As a substitute, when you’re proud of the lighting and framing, click on the ‘View’ button within the top-right nook and click on ‘Conceal Self View’.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
2. Use Immersive View
Quite than simply trying on the particular person talking or a grid of all individuals, how about one thing that makes it no less than appear to be you’re in the identical room?
Immersive View is as shut because it will get, permitting you to position as much as 25 individuals on a single digital background. There are loads to select from, together with a classroom, auditorium and even artwork gallery.
To get began, create or be a part of a name with two or extra individuals. Click on the ‘View’ button within the top-right nook, then choose ‘Immersive. From the window that seems, select which of the digital environments you’d like to make use of – some will take a couple of seconds to obtain.
Determine whether or not to robotically or manually add individuals, then click on ‘Begin’. Immersive View will solely apply to your individual view, even in the event you’re the host, and gained’t pressure everybody else to see what you’re seeing.
Study extra in our separate information on how one can use Immersive View.
3. Create an avatar
When you’d choose to not present your video in any respect, how about an avatar as an alternative? Whereas acceptable for informal conferences and doubtless not when others have to see the true you, avatars is usually a enjoyable means so as to add some character to your video calls.
From the principle Zoom house display screen, click on the Settings cog within the top-right nook, slightly below your profile icon. Select ‘Background & Results’ from the left facet, then ‘Avatars’ (nonetheless in beta on the time of writing).
Click on the + icon to completely customise your individual avatar, then click on ‘Finished’ as soon as completed. Alternatively, merely click on one of many preset animal variations under.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Your avatar’s head and face actions will mirror your individual, so it’s nonetheless straightforward to know while you’re talking.
4. Use PowerPoint as a digital background
Including blur or a picture to your background is a well-liked function on Zoom. However how a couple of full PowerPoint presentation? It’s a fantastic possibility for presenting to a bunch, however not one thing many individuals find out about.
Offered the host has allowed it, anybody can current with a PowerPoint background. After becoming a member of the decision, click on the inexperienced ‘Share Display screen’ button, then choose the ‘Superior’ tab. Double-click ‘PowerPoint as Digital Background’, then choose your PowerPoint file.
By default, a small video feed will likely be within the top-right nook. However you possibly can resize and transfer this by clicking the three dots and selecting ‘Resize My Video’.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
5. Use the vanishing pen
You is perhaps acquainted with Zoom’s annotating options, which permit individuals so as to add notes and different data to a shared doc from inside the name.
However to get somebody’s consideration about one thing, you don’t wish to draw throughout it. As a substitute, you should use the vanishing pen, which ensures any drawings disappear after solely a few seconds.
To make use of it, begin a name and click on the inexperienced ‘Share Display screen’ button and select which window you’d prefer to share. Click on the ‘Annotate’ button from the toolbar on the prime, then hover over ‘Highlight’ and choose the icon which seems like a dashed line under a pen – that’s the Vanishing Pen.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
6. Activate Reside Captions
Reside Captions is a superb accessibility function, permitting those that are laborious of listening to to know what’s being mentioned in a gathering. However it may be helpful for everybody, particularly if somebody’s audio is breaking apart, or their mic is just too quiet.
To get began, open the Zoom web site and check in. Click on ‘Settings’ from the left facet, then ‘Assembly’ and ‘In Assembly (Superior)’. Scroll all the way down to ‘Automated captions’, then click on the toggle to show it on.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Now, open the Zoom app and click on the Settings cog. Choose accessibility, then test the field subsequent to ‘At all times present captions’.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
7. Ship video messages
As you is perhaps conscious, Zoom can be utilized for rather more than simply conferences. It might additionally work as a standalone messaging app, with channels, mentions and chats making it a real Slack rival.
Alongside the standard textual content, emojis, GIFs, paperwork and voice messages, you can too ship video messages. These are clearly extra private than the opposite types of communication, and imply you don’t must be in a name collectively to share data. However with entry to all the standard digital backgrounds and filters, they’ll additionally look very skilled.
Merely open the Zoom app and click on the ‘Staff Chat’ part on the prime. Discover somebody you’d prefer to ship a video message to, or click on the blue compose button to start out a brand new chat.
Then, click on the camcorder icon within the toolbar on the backside of the display screen. Click on the picture icon to decide on a digital background and/or filter (in the event you’d like), then click on ‘File’.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Every video message can last as long as three minutes, however gained’t be despatched till you click on the blue ‘Ship’ button.
8. Give non-verbal suggestions
In massive conferences, it’s usually not acceptable to only begin speaking while you wish to give a response. Messaging within the chat is a greater possibility, however it may simply be missed.
As a substitute, how about elevating a digital hand? This flags to the host that you just’d like to talk with out interrupting what’s at the moment being mentioned.
To make use of it, merely be a part of a gathering and click on the ‘Reactions’ button from the toolbar on the backside of the display screen (if the host has made it accessible). Choose ‘Elevate hand’ and a hand emoji will likely be displayed subsequent to your title and video feed. When you’ve completed talking, merely click on ‘Decrease hand’.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
However in the event you’d like to reply with out including any remark, simply use an emoji. Click on ‘Reactions’, then one of many six hottest or the three dots and any emoji you’d like. Whichever you select will keep on display screen for a couple of seconds.
