Including a phone number for participants to call into a Zoom meeting can serve as a helpful tool, particularly for those who may not have consistent internet access or prefer to join the meeting over the phone. In this guide, I will lead you through the process of adding a call-in number to your Zoom meeting, offering my own thoughts and observations along the route.
Step 1: Schedule your Zoom meeting
The first step is to schedule your Zoom meeting as you normally would. Log in to your Zoom account and navigate to the Meetings tab. Click on the Schedule a Meeting button to start scheduling your meeting.
When scheduling your meeting, make sure to enable the option for Join from a phone. This will ensure that participants have the option to join the meeting using a call-in number.
Step 2: Generating the call-in number
Once you have scheduled your meeting, Zoom will automatically assign a call-in number for you. This call-in number will be unique to your meeting and can be found in the meeting invitation email or the meeting settings.
From my personal experience, I find it helpful to include the call-in number in the meeting invitation email or in a separate email sent to participants who may need to join via phone. This way, participants will have the call-in number readily available and won’t have to search for it when the meeting starts.
Step 3: Joining the meeting via phone
Now that you have added a call-in number to your Zoom meeting, participants can join the meeting via phone by following these steps:
- Dial the call-in number provided in the meeting invitation.
- Enter the meeting ID when prompted. The meeting ID can be found in the same email where you received the call-in number.
- Once you have entered the meeting ID, you will be connected to the meeting and can participate in the call as if you were joining via video.
I have found that this feature is particularly useful for participants who may be on the go or in a location with limited internet access. It provides them with a convenient way to join the meeting without relying on a stable internet connection.
Conclusion
Adding a call-in number to a Zoom meeting is a simple yet valuable feature that can enhance the accessibility and convenience of your meetings. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that participants have the option to join your Zoom meeting via phone, providing flexibility and accommodating their individual needs.