Zoom can be used on laptops, PC’s, tablets or smartphones and it would probably make sense to Download Zoom beforehand. Here are some links:

• For your laptop or computer: https://zoom.us/download
• For your Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.zoom.videomeetings&hl=en_GB
• For Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zoom-cloud-meetings/id546505307

When you log in to Zoom: Click “Join with computer audio”

On the Video button in the bottom of your screen, select video settings and “enable HD” (as long as you have a laptop that allows this and a decent Internet connection).

Here’s some advice on testing audio and sound.

For a complete guide on all things Zoom, head over to their useful “Getting Started” section.

• The webcams on laptops or PC’s are not of the highest resolution/quality
• iPads and smartphones do have 720/1080 resolution but may not be ideal for some types of meetings/training
• If you are using Zoom on a regular basis and/or it’s important to create a good impression, you may want to buy a webcam for you laptop/pc
• The best devices at the moment are probably from Logitech but prices can vary from £80 for a Logitech 1080p C920 to around £160 for a Logitech Brio Ultra 4K HD webcam.
• If you have an iPhone or Android device with a good camera, why not download Camo and turn your smartphone into a high resolution camera?
• Video can be turned off from the bottom-left of your Zoom interface by clicking the camera.
• If you don’t like the background at home or the office, you can select (or upload – I get mine from Unsplash) your own as a virtual background (again just go to the the video icon and click the arrow to the right).
• If there are many people on the call, it might make sense for them to turn their videos off to save on bandwidth issues

• Avoid sitting with your back to the window, as the camera will expose the light and turn you into a silhouette
• Face the window or have the window to the left or right
• If light is not great, I would recommend investing in a ring light.

For me I’d always recommend using a desktop or laptop when in a Zoom meeting or training BUT if there is no other option:

• Make sure it’s landscape NOT portrait
• So, if you’re using a iPad don’t come too close and even consider using a book or  books to raise the iPad up
• Also, if you’re using an iPad remember the camera is to your left when you set the screen up in landscape!
• Try not to move your iPad too much – as mentioned above, prop the iPad up using books or similar.
• Why not try to get it so that the iPad is at eye level

• If you have a bookshelf behind, be careful of distractions which can catch the eye.
• Try to make sure that there is not too much movement behind you.
• Think of the impression you want to make. Happy with the ironing board and washing behind you? Fine, that’s your call.
• Don’t forget what I said about virtual backgrounds

• Cameras on smartphones and webcams are wide-angle. If you come too close, they get distorted and we don’t want people looking up at your nostrils!
• If you’re presenting a course, please do it from a table or lectern. Sitting with a laptop on your lap or on a coffee table is probably not ideal.

• Try to ensure that you are looking eye-to-eye into the camera
• Try to make sure there is a small gap between your head and the edge of the ‘video window’
• Try not to put your laptop/iPad too low or on your desk as we will see your ceiling and even up your nostrils! You also look more intimidating this way.
• Don’t forget that when using Zoom you may find that you and other attendees may appear as thumbnails to the right. To make sure that you are always looking ahead ‘drag and snap’ this window to the top of the screen.

• Don’t stand too far from the laptop or iPad
• You may want to connect your Apple (or similar) earphones into the iPad or laptop to give better sound quality
• If you do this, click on the arrow next to mute button to check they are selected.
• The audio settings (click arrow next to audio to access) let you adjust sound settings. You can also use them to ‘suppress’ background noise, too. And, don’t forget, you can use them to test audio levels.
• If you want to achieve higher quality audio, you should look at a microphone like the Yeti Snowball or, the more expensive, Blue Yeti. The RØDE NT-USB Mini is one I use and would recommend.

• Make sure you have enough battery for the meeting! Do you need to connect to a power source?
• Make sure you sit somewhere with a good connection. This may be next to the router or you may be better off using a Ethernet cable.
• If this is not possible you may need to invest in something like a Devolo plug which pipes the internet through your electric socket to your desired room.
• Another option for getting wifi around your home/office is a Mesh system. I use an excellent one called Deco from TP-Link.
• Testing your connection speed – use a tool like TestMy.net which you can set up to retest over a period of time.

And that’s pretty much it.