I’ve been using Zoom on a daily basis for a while now. If you’re already a seasoned video conference user, these may help! These pro tips are focused on Mac OS use of Zoom, other platforms have similar functionality.
Gallery View
The default view in Zoom is called “Speaker View”. This keeps your view focused on whoever is speaking. Gallery View shows all participants at once. I prefer Gallery View for brief, informal team meetings.
In order to use Gallery View, you have to go to “Side by Side Mode” first. Then, you’ll see a button labeled “Speaker View” that toggles between Speaker View and Gallery View in the top right hand corner.
Speaker view, image taken from Zoom’s documentation
Gallery view, image taken from Zoom’s documentation
Keyboard Shortcuts
Judicious use of mute is essential for effective use of video conferencing. Don’t be the person who doesn’t mute!
The only two shortcuts I use on a regular basis (Mac):
- Command(⌘)+Shift+V: Start/stop video
- Command(⌘)+Shift+A: Mute/unmute audio
Zoom’s website has a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts.
Appearance
For the vain users, Zoom has a snapchat-esque filter for touching up your appearance.
Zoom’s claim:
The Touch Up My Appearance option retouches your video display with a soft focus. This can help smooth out the skin tone on your face, to present a more polished looking appearance when you display your video to others.
Touch Up My Appearance (Zoom Documentation)
Settings -> Video Touch up My Appearance, image taken from Zoom’s documentation