Tips for Attending a Zoom Meeting

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Attending Sunday worship on Zoom means you need to see and hear what’s happening—fairly simple for anyone who is comfortable watching videos on YouTube or other places online.

Attending a meeting on Zoom means that other people need to hear—and hopefully see—YOU. A bit trickier.

If you need to set up Zoom on your computer, follow the instructions for Zoom Setup here.

Test Your Computer

Hopefully, your computer has a built-in camera and microphone. If you aren’t sure, please give yourself time to test it before the meeting you hope to attend.

  • You will need a microphone.
    • Virtually all laptops and tablets have a built in microphone but most desktops don’t.
    • The headset that came with your phone likely has a microphone on it. You can use the headset for the meeting.
    • When you log onto a Zoom meeting, you can choose to “test speaker and microphone.” Give yourself a few minutes to do this before the meeting starts.
    • If you don’t have a microphone, read down the page to learn how to call into a meeting with your phone.
  • You will need a camera. (Actually, you’re okay if you don’t have a camera, but then we can’t see you, and we’d like to!)
    • Virtually all laptops and tablets have a built in camera but most desktops don’t.
    • Cameras are not very expensive. They clip on the top of your screen and you are good to go.
    • All phones have a camera. If you are planning to use your phone you might want to purchase a stand for your phone…or you can work out how to prop it up in the right place for your call.
    • For Security reasons you will want to unplug your camera when you are done with your zoom call.
    • When you enter a Zoom meeting, you will see what you look like on camera.

How To Call Into A Meeting With Your Phone

  • If you don’t have a microphone for your computer, you can call into the meeting using your phone. You might want to also log onto the meeting on your computer so you can see other people’s faces (and they can see yours if you are using a camera).
  • You will need the meeting ID, so be sure you have it before you dial.
  • Call any of these numbers:
    • 1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    • 1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    • 1 253 215 8782 US
    • 1 301 715 8592 US
    • 1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    • 1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
  • Enter the meeting ID when prompted.
  • The following commands can be entered via DTMF tones using your phone’s dial pad while in a Zoom meeting:
    • *6 – Toggle mute/unmute
    • *9 – Raise hand

Best Practices

  • Think about how your face is lit. Lighting should be in front of you, not behind you. You might want to sit close to a lamp.
  • Please use a headset (microphone and earphones such as came with your phone. Your computer might need a set with a usb plug on one end).
    • If you don’t have a headset, take care to “mute” yourself when you are not talking.
  • Once you are in the meeting, you can ensure your display name is what you want it to be by clicking on “participants” and moving your cursor over your name. A menu of options will appear, including “rename.”
  • If you get an “internet unstable” message during the meeting, that means YOU have unstable internet. Stopping your video may help strengthen your internet connection.