If you’re hosting a virtual meeting, there are some important tips to make it more engaging. These tips can help you avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of your meetings.
The first step is to prepare properly for your online meetings. This means setting up a camera, making sure the sound works and testing the application.
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Start with an icebreaker.
Start your online meeting off on the right foot with an icebreaker that prepares your audience for the discussion to follow. This helps to create a more productive environment and reduces the ‘ice’ effect that can affect group dynamics.
A simple icebreaker can be as easy as asking each person to share one thing that has meaning to them or that is tied to an exciting story. This is an effective way to get people to open up and talk about something they might otherwise be hesitant to do in front of a large crowd.
Another popular icebreaker is to play “two truths and a lie.” Each participant takes a turn sharing three facts about themselves (two of which are true, and one of which is a lie), and the rest of the group has to guess which fact is a lie.
Give everyone a chance to speak.
Often, people find it hard to speak up in online meetings because the virtual setting is lacking social cues that we get in person. Taking advantage of the tools that are available in web conferencing to give everyone a voice can make online meetings more engaging.
Start the meeting with a discussion on a topic and then encourage your attendees to chime in, no matter their expertise level. This will help ensure that every participant feels heard and valued.
For those who might be a little shy, it’s important to offer an extra nudge by naming them and asking them to share their thoughts. This will increase their confidence in expressing themselves.
Ask for feedback.
You can make online meetings more engaging by having a clear agenda and asking for feedback from your attendees. This will keep the meeting focused and help you avoid side discussions.
It’s not uncommon for people to have a lot of opinions about topics, so if they start to get off-topic or discuss non-related matters, redirect their conversation back to the main objective.
Getting feedback from customers helps businesses improve their products, understand customer needs, and build strong customer loyalty. It’s also a good way to show that you care about your customers and are constantly searching for ways to better serve them.
Have a clear agenda.
Meetings without agendas tend to leave participants feeling confused and unsure of the purpose of the meeting. A good agenda outlines the goals of the meeting, assigns tasks to team members and sets realistic time limits for each discussion topic.
A clear agenda also allows participants to track next steps and action items during the meeting so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
A well-crafted agenda is an essential tool for a productive online meeting. Creating it in advance increases the likelihood that attendees will arrive prepared, and the agenda itself provides purpose, structure, and opportunities for collaboration.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Asking questions is a powerful way to build trust and make people feel comfortable. It also helps you gain new perspectives on a topic.
When asking questions, show that you care by maintaining positive facial expressions and engaged body language. That will encourage others to share their thoughts as well.
If you don’t ask questions, you can lose a lot of valuable information and insight.
Most leaders and managers don’t consider this part of their job, yet it is an important skill to possess. It distinguishes outstanding leaders from their peers and makes them more effective.