One useful feature of Zoom is the ability to add an alternative host, which can come in handy if you have a co-host or someone who can take over hosting responsibilities. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps of adding an alternative host in Zoom and provide some of my own thoughts and observations.
Step 1: Sign in to Zoom
The first step is to sign in to your Zoom account. Open the Zoom app or visit the Zoom website and enter your login credentials. If you don’t have an account, you can easily create one for free.
Step 2: Schedule a Meeting
Once you are signed in, navigate to the “Meetings” tab and click on “Schedule a Meeting”. Fill in the necessary details such as the topic, date, time, and duration of the meeting. Make sure to check the box that says “Enable join before host” to allow participants to join the meeting even if you are not the host.
Step 3: Invite Alternative Host
Now, it’s time to invite someone as an alternative host. In the “Schedule a Meeting” window, scroll down to the “Alternative Hosts” section. Here, you can enter the email address of the person you want to add as an alternative host. You can add multiple alternative hosts by separating their email addresses with commas.
Personal Insights: Adding an alternative host can be extremely useful, especially when you are conducting a large meeting or webinar. It allows you to share the hosting responsibilities and ensures a smooth flow of the session. Personally, I find it helpful to have a co-host who can manage technical aspects and assist participants while I focus on delivering the content.
Step 4: Save and Send Invitations
After entering the email address(es) of the alternative host(s), click on the “Save” button to save the changes. You can now proceed to send the meeting invitations to the participants. Zoom provides multiple options to send invitations, including email, calendar integration, and even copying the invitation details to share manually.
Step 5: Alternative Host’s Role
When the alternative host(s) join the meeting using the invitation link, they will have host privileges, which means they will have access to manage the meeting just like the original host. They can start the meeting, manage participants, share their screen, and perform other host functions.
Personal Commentary: I always appreciate having an alternative host in my Zoom meetings. It gives me a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that someone capable is there to assist and take charge if needed. It also allows me to focus more on engaging with participants and delivering a seamless experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding someone as an alternative host in Zoom is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your meeting experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily invite someone as an alternative host and share the hosting responsibilities. Whether it’s a co-worker, a colleague, or a trusted friend, having an alternative host can make your Zoom meetings more efficient and stress-free.