5 Ways to Make Your Next Zoom Meeting More Fun
The rise of the virtual meeting is here to stay - and if you are in charge of leading online Zoom meetings, they can quickly go from routine check-ins to yawn-inducing in no time.
So what is an overworked meeting planner to do? If you are stuck on how to bring your team together over the internet, you need these tips on how to make your next Zoom meeting more fun!
Why Virtual Meetings Become Boring
Remote work has become the norm for many organizations and teams - which means that virtual meetings have become the new norm as well. Even hybrid teams will find themselves moving toward online sessions to increase everyone's convenience.
However, routine online meetings can quickly become mundane, leaving many employees feeling disengaged and uninterested. After all, there are only so many times you can stare at the same faces on a screen!
1. They often lack the personal interaction that is inherent in in-person meetings.
2. There is less opportunity for team bonding and relationship building.
3. They can be repetitive and lack variety.
4. The option to turn cameras off can lead to less engagement.
When team members aren't engaged and participating in meetings, they are less likely to be productive and retain information. Fortunately, a creative meeting leader can take Zoom calls from mundane to fun with just a few simple steps!
5 Ways to Make Your Next Zoom Meeting More Fun
So how can you add some fun to your next virtual meeting to keep your team engaged? Check out these five ideas to make your next Zoom meeting more enjoyable for the entire team:
1. Bring the fun with a themed meeting
A little bit of creativity can go a long way in making your next Zoom meeting more fun.
One way to do this is to plan a themed Zoom meeting. Whether you are having an all-hands-on-deck company meeting or just a team catch-up, choosing a theme can help set the tone for some fun.
Some ideas for themes include:
● Superheroes: Encourage your team to dress up as their favorite superhero
● Around the World: Have everyone choose a country and lead a quick virtual tour
● Disney or Cartoon: Have everyone come as their favorite character
● The Beach: Encourage your team to dress in their best tropical attire
Don't forget to decorate your "virtual background" to match the theme. And don't forget to add some music! A few well-chosen tunes can help to set the tone for your meeting and make it more fun for everyone involved.
2. Throw in some games to get people thinking (and moving!)
Virtual meetings don't have to be all business - adding in some interactive games can help break the ice and get people thinking.
Here are a few ideas:
● Quiz Show: Use a trivia platform to run a quick quiz show with your team. You can make it serious or fun - depending on the tone of your meeting.
● Word Association: Go around the room and have each person say a word. The next person then has to say a word associated with the first. This game is excellent for helping people think on their feet and develop creative ideas.
● Scavenger Hunt: Give your team a list of items to find around the house. The first person to find all the items wins!
● Charades: This classic game can be played virtually with a little bit of creativity (and enough desk space!)
3. Get creative with Zoom backgrounds
One of the great things about Zoom is that you can customize your background to anything you want.
Are you feeling beachy? Transport yourself (and your team) to the sand and sun with a tropical Zoom background.
Or maybe you want to take your team on a quick trip to space? There are plenty of free space backgrounds available online.
Feeling creative? Create a competition to see which team members can bring the best Zoom backgrounds to the next meeting.
4. Use an icebreaker to start each meeting
If you are leading a team catch-up, it can be helpful to start each meeting with an icebreaker. This will help everyone get comfortable and get to know each other better - making the rest of the meeting more fun and productive.
There are tons of icebreaker questions you can choose from. Are you looking for something fun? Try one of these:
● You are stuck on an island, and one item just washed up on shore - what is it?
● If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
● You’re the new CEO of a company - what is it, and what is your next step?
Icebreakers not only get your team engaged, but they also help build team morale and unity.
5. Turn Your Zoom Meeting into a Live Game Show
If you are gunning for that "Best Zoom Meeting" award, then consider turning your next meeting into a hosted game show!
Partner with an experienced company like Bar None Games to turn your next meeting into an experience that your team will never forget.
You can even make it a team-building exercise by splitting your team into smaller groups to compete against each other.
This is a great way to add some fun to your next Zoom meeting - and it's also a great way to encourage team bonding and collaboration!
Bring the fun on Zoom with Bar None Games
Even the most seasoned remote worker can feel the Zoom fatigue.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your next Zoom meeting more fun.
If you are looking for a truly unique way to engage your team, consider adding Bar None Games to your next Zoom meeting.
Our live-hosted virtual games and trivia experiences are loved by over 60,000 people worldwide. We have something for everyone, from team-based games that promote collaboration to unique content tailored to your group's preferences.
And because all of our games are live-hosted by professional entertainers, you can be sure your guests will have a blast! Ready to have some fun? Contact us today to book your next event with Bar None Games.