Zoom has become an indispensable tool for remote communication, enabling us to stay connected with our colleagues, friends, and family. Whether you are new to Zoom or seeking to enhance your chat abilities, this article will walk you through the dos and don’ts of chatting during a Zoom call.
Getting Started
First things first, make sure you have the latest version of Zoom installed on your device. Once you’ve launched the Zoom application and joined a meeting, you’ll find the chat feature located at the bottom of the Zoom window. It’s the speech bubble icon, labeled “Chat”.
Opening the Chat Window
Click on the chat icon to open up the chat window. It will appear on the right side of your screen, displaying the chat messages from participants in the meeting. You can easily toggle between the chat window and the main video window by clicking on the respective icons at the top-right corner of the chat window.
Sending a Chat Message
To send a chat message during a Zoom meeting, simply click on the text input field at the bottom of the chat window and start typing your message. Once you’ve composed your message, press Enter or click on the “Send” button to send it to all participants in the meeting.
One useful feature of Zoom chat is the ability to send private messages to individual participants. To do this, click on the drop-down menu next to “To:”, and select the participant’s name from the list. This way, only that specific participant will receive your message.
Making Use of Chat Shortcuts
If you want to save time while chatting on Zoom, you can make use of some handy chat shortcuts. Here are a few examples:
/u– Sends a message only to the host./p– Sends a message only to the panelists./a– Sends a message to all participants./g– Sends a message to all group members if group chat is enabled.
These shortcuts can be a real time-saver, especially if you need to address specific individuals or groups during a Zoom meeting.
Etiquette and Best Practices
While chatting on Zoom can be convenient and efficient, it’s important to maintain proper etiquette and adhere to some best practices. Here are a few tips:
- Be mindful of your language and tone. Remember that chat messages can be seen by all participants in the meeting.
- Avoid using excessive capitalization or multiple exclamation marks, as it can come across as shouting.
- Keep your messages concise and to the point. Long paragraphs or multiple messages can be overwhelming and may disrupt the flow of the meeting.
- If someone else is speaking, it’s best to avoid chatting unless it’s urgent or directly related to the ongoing discussion.
- Use emojis sparingly and appropriately to convey tone or emotions.
Conclusion
Chatting on Zoom meetings is a valuable feature that allows for real-time communication and collaboration. By following these tips and best practices, you can make the most out of the chat feature while maintaining professionalism and engagement during your Zoom meetings.