Virtual meetings are taking place every day and everywhere. Many different people from various cultures could attend these virtual meetings. It is important that all participants know how to prepare for and participate in virtual meetings. If they don’t prepare and participate properly, the meeting will not be as successful as it could be. Also, more meetings may be required for attendees to “get it” that they are the ones making the meeting more effective. Below are seventeen ways to prepare yourself to be a good virtual meeting participant.

Prepare in advance:

1. Make sure you have the necessary login information and documents at least one hour before the meeting time.

2. Wear a headset for better voice over microphone and hear others’ voices without disturbing those outside the meeting.

3. If possible, remove distractions from the area where the meeting will be attended.

4. Turn off email, text messages, or phone calls that may interfere with focus while you attend.

5. Dress as if you were sitting in the meeting, as the webcam might be on.

6. Put up a sign that says “at a meeting” to prevent people from interrupting.

7. Eat before or after the meeting, not during because accidents happen or there may be a question mid-chew.

8. Log into the session a few minutes early so the facilitator knows when everyone is present.

Participate during the time:

9. Introduce yourself before the meeting starts, if allowed.

10. Use “mute” when you are not speaking to keep noise out of the session.

11. Say the name before you speak so everyone knows who is speaking.

12. Stay focused on the meeting topic and the times on the agenda.

13. Consider others and give them time to finish speaking before answering or asking a question.

14. Keep comments and questions short and to the point, as meeting time is precious and often short.

15. Allow breaks as the transmit/receive time may be slow.

16. Limit movement and gestures, if using video or webcam, as it may cause blurred reception.

17. Record personal action items and request or suggest a due date before the close of the meeting.

The seventeen ways to be a better virtual meeting participant should help make meetings more effective and possibly reduce the number of meetings needed to achieve better results. With these tips, global members learn the best way to prepare for and participate in a virtual meeting. No matter where they are during virtual meetings, they can be more effective attendees and help the meeting achieve its desired results by learning to prepare and participate accordingly.