5 easy Zoom shortcuts to Conference Call like a Pro

• Hands up who’d ever used video conferencing pre-Covid? [Most of us, I’d assume…]
• Hands up who’d used it more than once a week [Probably a lot less of us …]
• Hands up who’d used it on a daily basis [Very few of us..?]

So, for those of still getting to grips with video conferencing, here’s an aide memoir to get you started.

The 5 S’s to Video Conferencing

First of all, these specific controls relate to Zoom: other video conferencing tools are available  (Microsoft Teams, Google Classrooms, Remo…etc) which may suit your specific needs better.

1. Set-up: Cameras & Virtual Backgrounds

“Of all primates, humans have the largest proportions of whites in our eyes, called sclera, associated with being able to detect who others are looking at.”

Bridget Waller, professor of evolutionary psychology, University of Portsmouth

This ‘skill’ is deemed crucial to the development of the human species and is one of the reasons why we are such a social species. However, it cannot be replicated on a group video call with everybody looking into their PC camera, so here a couple of tips to help with that (see BBC article: Coronavirus Hacks)

• Raise your PC – most of us use tablets or laptops so this shouldn’t be a problem; being filmed at eye level is a great help to feeling ‘connected’ to the call.
• Sticker it up – have a small sticker or piece of tape near to your camera to encourage you to look at it (alternatively, you can always use this to cover the camera to prevent ‘unforeseen videoing!’)
• Virtual background – Click (>) your Profile > Settings > Virtual background: you can now either choose a pre-saved Zoom background or select a picture that you’ve saved to your PC.
• Show your Zoom Navigation bar – Alt (to have it permanently displayed at the bottom of your screen) …and Alt to turn it off again.
• Full screen or part-screen – Alt + F (to turn on full screen)…then Alt + F again (to turn it off).
• Switch your video on/off – Alt + V
• Leave the Meeting – Alt + Q

Note: you can press Escape to undo any action…so don’t worry about getting stuck on any function!

2. Speak: To mute or not to mute?

Alt + A: Mute / Unmute

OR

Hold the SPACE BAR to speak

First of all, if you are the HOST, you have the power to automatically place everybody on mute (not a bad idea!)

If this is the case (or if you’ve been asked to self-mute) when you’re on a ‘bigger’ conference call and want to say your piece, you have to be quick. This means there is no time to fiddle around with the onscreen buttons, try to get the menu back up (it tends to disappear on tablets)…etc.

Use the Alt + A command – it’s quick and instant; if there’s one shortcut you should learn, it’s this one!

3. Share: Sharing is caring

Alt + S: Share your screen

This is very powerful when you’re working with teams, but also useful if you’re on a social call and want to share something.

HINT: Maximise your screen so you’re only sharing one thing…and don’t have anything embarassing on your PC!

4. Support: Raise a hand

 

> Reactions

This is the one function for which I couldn’t find a shortcut button…but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there!

Click on the Clap or Thumbs Up sign – the icon will appear in your particular video box

5. Swap: Thoughts & messages

Alt + H: Chat

You don’t always want to interrupt a conference call to make a point, especially if it’s only relevant to one particular person rather than the whole group.

With the chat function, you can send a message to a particular person (select their name from the dropdown menu), or alternately send a message to the whole group.

For further information:

Get More out of your Zoom meetings

• Virtual Background
• Calendar Integration
• Waiting Room
• Multi-share
• Personal Meeting Rooms
• Touch-up my Appearance