Situations For Audio-Only Zoom Meetings

If you read this blog, then you know we're always discussing Zoom's HD video call software. We can't get enough of it! But we also know that sometimes sharp, high quality video isn't what you need. We've compiled here a list of situations in which joining a Zoom meeting through audio is more appropriate. First, you should know how to have an audio-only meeting on Zoom.

For an instant audio-only meeting, just select the Screen Share Meeting on the main Zoom menu.

To schedule an audio-only meeting, select Screen Share Meeting (Video does not start automatically) on the scheduling interface.

When you're already in a meeting, just click the video camera icon on the bottom left of your menu and your video will shut off.

Now, why would you want to have an audio-only meeting?

Look, it’s not easy to admit your fears. But we understand how it is to be very nervous before meeting a stranger face-to-face. Whether you have a legitimate fear of being on camera or just have a strange, distracting cowlick today, sometimes it’s just better to hear what the person has to say.

There are many situations in which you find yourself with a really sub-par internet connection. Perhaps you’re currently in a country that doesn’t exactly have a thriving fiber infrastructure, or you’re in a part of a fiber-rich country that only has 56K dial-up and satellite connections as options. Maybe your service provider decided to flatline today because it was in the mood to put off some infrastructure repairs.

Either way, if you don’t have the megabits to spare for video, you’re not going to have a good experience. In the most optimistic scenario, your resolution will simply drop. Other times, you’ll just completely fall out of the conversation entirely.

If your bandwidth is bad, Zoom will let you and the remote participants know by providing a yellow (kind of bad) or red (really bad) signal on your screen with a warning that your bandwidth is low.

Sometimes, the situation is so irredeemable that even Zoom can’t fix it. You’ll have no choice but to go into the meeting via audio. Trust us, an audio-only meet beats a choppy video meeting any day.

Renovations, whether at the home or at the office, are very messy events in your life. The only way to get through one of these is to minimize the trauma as much as possible. Or maybe it's not renovations. Maybe you just have a messy office with a treadmill doubling as a dirty clothing rack and a few dead plants that would all be in the sight-lines of your remote participants.

Regardless of the cause, it’s not necessarily a good idea to have a meeting through Zoom from within an unfinished or slovenly location. It gives off an unprofessional vibe.

Colds, fevers and flus usually have a tendency to strike right when you have something important to do. These belligerent little bugs make us feel terrible, but they make us look even worse. Snotty red noses and bulging eyes are not exactly the best features to exhibit in a video meeting. There are just some times when it’s impossible to look good, even if you dress your best. And frankly, you'd rather have the meeting from your bed as getting down the hall to your home office even seems like too much work. In these situations, rather than calling in sick, you can just call in on Zoom.

Of course, knowing what a stoic trooper you are, we feel the need to remind you to visit the doctor as well!

You will always be able to get into your meetings one way or another through Zoom. That’s why we can proudly guarantee you’ll like our cloud video meeting platform - video, audio and all! Try us out and sign up for free today!