Every Wednesday, join 1,000+ trainers, coaches, and facilitators who turn virtual sessions into unforgettable experiences! Explore facilitation hacks, creative tools, and strategies to engage and inspire your audience. Learn, create, and entertain β all in one newsletter!
What Your Participants See Before You Even Say Hello π
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Hey #FaciliFam, ever joined a Zoom meeting and thought, "Wait ... why are they promoting the Zoom AI Companion?" π That's the current default waiting room image - unless you update it to something intentional, on-brand, and genuinely welcoming. And since Zoom doesnβt show you your own waiting room as host, you're probably unknowingly giving free promo ... or still using something outdated. Let's fix that. P.S. Curious about upcoming live sessions? Scroll to the bottom for a peek at whatβs coming up. π Why use a Waiting Room?Without it, participants jump straight in - no buffer, no vibe, no context. You miss the chance to welcome them clearly and personally. Plus, it gives you quiet time to prep - no early-bird drop-ins while you're adjusting slides or sipping coffee. β 1: Enable Your Waiting Room- Visit π zoom.us/profile/setting?tab=meeting (sign-in if prompted)
- Scroll to Security
- Toggle ON Waiting Room
β 2: Set Waiting Room PreferencesClick Edit Options under Waiting Room: β Who should go into the waiting room? Choose: Everyone Ensures a consistent branded experience. β Participant Sort Order: Choose: Alphabetical Simplifies admitting participants, especially in larger groups. π‘ Customize other options as needed, but these two are solid defaults. β 3. Design Your Waiting RoomUnder Customize Waiting Room, focus on: πΌοΈ A branded image π₯ A looping video Both let you create a welcome moment that's intentional, on-brand, and fun. Option 1: Image or GIFQuick, clean, consistent. A static image or light animation levels up your waiting room without any video editing - just good vibes. π§° Create your own imageDesign it in Canva, Figma, or PowerPoint - whatever suits your flow.
Or use... cough... something made with AI. No judgement. Kind of. π
Export as PNG or short GIF. BΓ€hm!
Want more character? π Literally. Try CNVS for hand-drawn flair. π Option 2: Short Video with MusicBecause nothing says "This ainβt your average Zoom call" like a short, looping video. It grabs attention immediately. π Sound is muted by default! If you're using music, add a visual cue like: "π Turn on sound to catch the vibe" π§° Create your own videoAnimate in Canva Pro, PowerPoint, or Keynote with transitions and music.
Or go wild with AI video tools. We see you. π
Export as MP4, MOV, or M4V (under 30 MB).
π‘ FaciliTip: Use a short teaser video or quick intro to your products, services, or event. Just remember: Zoom loops videos endlessly. Join early, and they'll see it... not once... but 37 times in a row. Keep it short, light, and loop-friendly - don't wear out your welcome. β What to Include (Image & Video)Think of it as a mini landing page ππ½ Warm greeting - friendly, on-brand, session-appropriate β Quick prep tips - e.g. "Rename yourself", "Check your mic" β Casual prompt - "Grab a drink", "Stretch it out" π QR code - link to Miro, website, or LinkedIn π¨ Visual branding - logo, colors, fonts β¨ Your personality - emojis, doodles, humor, sparkle π‘ Keep it clear, simple, skimmable and readable across devices. β 4. Test Your Waiting Roomβ
π‘ Bonus TipsWaiting Rooms are not session-specific β Create a general version of your image/video for most sessions
β Swap in custom designs for special events, clients, or trainings
β Add "Update Zoom Waiting Room" to your pre-meeting checklist
π Chime + Flow Control β Turn on the Waiting Room chime to hear when someone enters
β Ready? Turn off the chime and disable waiting room to let folks in
β Enable/disable the waiting room during your session if needed
π― Now you're set! Go make your Zoom waiting room uniquely yours. Your participants will thank you. π€‘ Enough SaidAllow Me to Reintroduce Myself - Unnecessarily Censored. ππ½ Donβt forget to like, comment, and subscribe. ππ½ It helps more facilitators find the good stuff! ποΈ Upcoming EventsReady to level up? These live sessions are packed with hands-on tips, clever tools, and plenty of Facilitainer energy to supercharge your virtual game. |
Facilitainment Weekly
Every Wednesday, join 1,000+ trainers, coaches, and facilitators who turn virtual sessions into unforgettable experiences! Explore facilitation hacks, creative tools, and strategies to engage and inspire your audience. Learn, create, and entertain β all in one newsletter!
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