We’re all pros at conducting virtual meetings by now, but it never hurts to brush up on our skills! Here are five quick tips for you to incorporate into your meeting routine.

Check your space and your appearance

You’re at home — but this is still a professional venue! You may or may not have fuzzy socks on, but make sure at least your top half is presentable and isn’t distracting to your coworkers, students, or instructors.

Also, make sure to check your surroundings and, if possible, use a naturally well lit area (try not to have light behind you, because that can overwhelm your webcam).

Check for updates

Open the Zoom or Webex desktop app five to 10 minutes before your meeting, just in case the app needs to update. Nothing like needing to update your app and then being late to an important meeting.

Mute when you’re not talking

This helps keep the background noise level down and prevents crosstalk. Of course, you’ll have to remember to unmute when you want to say something!

Prepare to share

Before you press the “share” button when you need to have your coworkers see your screen, make sure any private or sensitive information is hidden and you have closed all the extra tabs you may have open.

Stay on track

You can be more visible during online meetings than you are in face-to-face settings, especially if coworkers and friends have their app set up to display everyone in the same panel (Hollywood Squares style). So pay attention to the meeting and stay focused — and definitely no eating.

There you have it: five tips for you to try out next time you’re on a video conference call. Subscribe for twice-weekly updates!