Make Your Video Calls Actually Enjoyable

We've all been in video meetings that feel like a waste of time. People are distracted, nobody knows why they're there, and the technology doesn't cooperate. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here's how to run video calls that people actually want to join.

Know Why You're Meeting

Before you hit "schedule," ask yourself: what are we trying to accomplish? If you can't answer that in one sentence, you probably don't need a meeting. When you do have a clear reason, share it with everyone beforehand so they can come prepared.

Test Your Setup First

Nothing kills a meeting vibe faster than "Can you hear me?" for the first 10 minutes. Check your camera and microphone before people join. It takes 2 minutes and saves everyone frustration.

Look Like You Care

You don't need a fancy setup, but a clean background and decent lighting go a long way. If there's a window, face it—natural light is your friend. And put your camera at eye level so you're not looking up everyone's nose.

Break the Ice

Don't dive straight into business. Spend the first couple minutes on casual chat. Ask how everyone's day is going. It makes a bigger difference than you'd think in getting people comfortable and engaged.

Set Simple Ground Rules

At the start, mention basics like: mute yourself when not talking, turn on video if possible, and use chat for questions. It keeps things organized without being bossy.

Get Everyone Involved

Nobody wants to sit silently for an hour. Ask questions, call on people by name, get opinions. The more people participate, the more valuable the meeting becomes for everyone.

Show, Don't Just Tell

If you're explaining something, share your screen. Visuals help people understand and stay focused. Just keep them simple—nobody likes reading walls of text on a slide.

Respect People's Time

Start on time, stick to what you said you'd cover, and end when you said you would. If the conversation needs more time, schedule another meeting rather than running over.

Wrap Up With Next Steps

Before everyone leaves, make it crystal clear: who's doing what, and by when. Send a quick summary afterward so nothing gets lost.

Ask How You Did

After important meetings, ask for quick feedback. What worked? What didn't? You'll get better every time.

The Bottom Line

Good video meetings aren't about perfect technology or fancy techniques. They're about being prepared, keeping people engaged, and respecting everyone's time. Do that, and people will actually look forward to your calls.

Ready to try these tips? Start a free call on Roomz.Live and see the difference.