Online Etiquette?! My tips for yachties attending Zoom, WebinarJam, Google Meet & other online meetings/classes!

With the events of this year, it’s safe to say that the yachting industry has had to adapt very quickly and efficiently to a whole new way of meeting, networking and educating. People from all over the world are now connecting and attending ‘online conferences’ with industry leaders, and online classes and practical assessments are becoming the new norm. I personally think it’s a huge leap forward in terms of opportunity, creativity, variety and flexibility!

I personally used Zoom during most of lockdown, hosting coffee morning Q&A meetings for Stews, interviews and even interactive cocktail events! A-crew preferred WebinarJam because they found it more stable, safe and accessible. They held regular webinars on a wide range of industry-related topics to keep up us all connected and motivated. In a recent Zoom PYA training update webinar, all agreed that ‘blended learning’ is here to stay. Even better, it is opening up opportunities for crew both onboard and in remote places, letting them train in the evenings and at weekends from wherever they are in the world.

With this is mind, I want to give you my top tips for Online Webinar and Virtual Classroom Etiquette tips!

Download all the software and become familiar with it beforehand. Set your camera up and test all your equipment too. Aim for good lighting, with no windows behind you. Practice how to mute and unmute yourself. If the background isn’t great, you can choose backgrounds on these apps – choose a plain one so that you are the sole focus.

Check for background noise, and close any windows if there is loud traffic. Close the door. If you’re in shared house, explain you are attending a meeting and leave a note on the door saying not to disturb you. Make sure you also mute yourself until you need to speak. You can usually hold the space bar down to unmute yourself and speak if needed, then release to re-mute.

Don’t eat! A coffee or glass of water is fine, but if you would never eat a particular item in a face-to-face interview, then don’t do it online (especially a crunchy one!).  

Be a few minutes early to the ‘waiting room’ so you are admitted into the room right on time – it shows respect for other attendees and the host, and personal organisation.  It can be frustrating for everyone if a meeting is delayed by latecomers, or by those who haven’t tested the equipment first and have issues with the audio and video settings. It can be distracting for the host too, who is already nervous enough. Most online Zoom meetings also have a time limit. Remember that this is a professional setting, which requires professional behaviour.

Use your camera if possible - people want to see you and it makes it easier for all involved to engage. Avoid emailing or playing games on your phone in a meeting. It’s easy to spot and can potentially come across as rude and as though you aren’t interested in what is being said. Again, you wouldn’t do it in a face-to-face meeting, so don’t do it online. Try to interact and participate - ‘raise hands’ to ask questions, pay attention to what is being said, take notes if needed, nod along and show interest, and smile! 

Present properly. Make sure you’re dressed neatly, your hair is brushed and you look keen and eager. Show a professional workplace appearance even though you are at home, and save the PJs for your family and friends ??

Finally - turn up! If you sign up for a webinar, make sure you attend.  A lot of work goes into setting up and arranging these meetings, from setting the agenda and organising content to reaching out and organising other industry experts to attend. Then there is advertising, administration, etc.. This is all done for you, to keep you updated, educated and inspired, so grab the opportunity! See you online!