If you’re like most of us, you’ve been on several Zoom calls within the past week, and you have more to come in the weeks ahead.

Businesses are relying on Zoom like never before. Families are getting together on Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts regularly. And even children are using Zoom for learning.

All of this time apart means we must find ways to come together, and technology can be a saving grace in these isolating days.

But I have been surprised and offended by the behavior of otherwise professional, courteous people when they join online calls. Smacking gum, talking to people in the background, and folding laundry during a meeting are not acceptable if you want to come across as well-mannered and professional.

Good manners are important, and just as important online as anywhere else. How you do anything is how you do everything. Inappropriate behavior could turn off a future client or partner without you even knowing it.

So today, I’ve put together a list of what it takes to show up to an online meeting with class, courtesy, and competence. We’ll also discuss the additional rules to follow if you host a Zoom meeting to make it successful and productive.

Let’s jump right in with how to attend an online meeting with good manners and professionalism:

• Dress like you would in person – Sure, you might be wearing your pajamas or loungewear more now than you normally do. But when you come to an online meeting, get dressed the same way you would as if it were an in-person meeting.
• Put effort into your appearance – Style your hair, put on some makeup, and again, look the way you would if you were getting together face-to-face.
• Think about your environment – What’s in the background when you’re on camera? Do you need another light on in the room? Take a moment before you join the meeting to notice how you will come across on screen.
• Minimize noise and distractions – If children are at home, go to the quietest place in the house. Don’t eat or chew gum during the meeting. Minimize movements so there isn’t a lot of shuffling, static noises. And by all means, stop typing! We can all hear you and we know you aren’t paying attention.
• Mute yourself if necessary – If you’re not speaking, it might be a good idea to mute yourself to minimize distracting noises.
• Use a photo if not video – If you don’t have the camera turned on, use a professional photo of yourself instead of a black screen.
• In general, be professional – Some Zoom meetings are relaxed, whereas some are professional. But you can always show up like the professional that you are.

If you are the host, it’s even more important that you set the right tone for your meeting. Here are additional rules to follow to ensure that your meeting is productive and successful:

• Decide whether to meet at all – Before you send out the meeting request, consider whether you could accomplish your goal with an email or one-on-one phone call instead. If you decide it’s essential you come together in a meeting with a purpose, you’re already setting your meeting up for success.
• Set a start and end time – Once you have a timetable, stick to it so the meeting runs efficiently.
• Limit attendees to who needs to be there – Don’t invite the whole team unless you really need the whole team. Otherwise, it’s a waste of everyone’s time and productivity.
• Stay focused – Keep the spotlight in the meeting to one or two essential topics and save other business for another meeting, perhaps with a smaller group.
• Engage attendees – Let everyone announce themselves at the start of the call and encourage participation throughout. Think of it as a conversation, not a chance to give directives.
• Keep it positive – We are living in challenging times. As a leader, you have an opportunity and a responsibility to maintain positivity and empathy toward your colleagues.

I know that many of you are facing uncertainty and worries right now. I want you to know I am here for you as a mentor and a friend. We will get through this with faith, friendship, and perseverance. God bless you in these uncertain times!

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.