Videoconferencing etiquette

When using your phone for BlueJeans audio, mute and un-mute by pressing *4. For Go-To-Meeting, press *6.

No doubt about it, un-muted microphones can be the single most distracting element present during a video conference. Echoes can occur when the background sounds are caught by un-muted microphones from a speaker and then transmitted to other sites.

At the beginning of the call, be sure to identify everyone by name and location. This helps ensure a feeling of inclusivity.

BlueJeans and other conferencing apps have a speaker identification on the conference monitor. Interrupting another speaker may cause the voice activation to become confused. Instead, wait until the other speaker is finished, then speak calmly and clearly, and wait for the system to adjust to you before delivering any game-changing information.

Carrying on sidebar conversations are not only distracting, but deemed downright disrespectful in an in-person meeting. The same applies for a virtual one.

Typing, shuffling paper, noisy jewelry, and loud baristas are just some of the background noises that can be picked up by a sensitive microphone. Please be aware of these potential distractions.

Video conferencing is getting better as the technology improves, but it’s important to realize there still may be a delay in the voice transmission and it can create awkward bumps in the conversation. It’s a good guideline to provide an appropriate pause between speakers.

“Gaze Angle” refers to the differential placement between your camera and the screen where you are viewing other participants. You can reduce the ‘Gaze Angle’ by putting the camera near your display monitor, preferably the area you watch the most often. This will make your meeting feel more natural.