In the life of a working mom or dad, flexibility is key. And in the life of a sometimes-work-from-home working mom or dad, technology is everything. When it works, it's liberating. When it doesn't, it's a nightmare.
But videoconferencing isn't always easy. The kids climb on you, the dog barks, there's background noise — you get the idea. Here are 6 tips from experience using Hangouts Meet to make video calls work better, no matter where you're calling from.
Choose the right environment
When you want to talk through a complex issue or brainstorm ideas, video calls are more effective than email or phone. But they require more setup. Find a quiet space, check your lighting (face a window if possible), and let others in your household know you're on a call.
Check out the help center for tips on getting the most out of Meet's audio and video settings.
Invite anyone, anytime
Videoconferencing doesn't have to be scheduled. If you're in the middle of a too-long email conversation, just start a Meet call instead. You can share a link instantly and invite anyone — internal or external — without needing a Google account.
Start here to learn how to create and share a Meet link in seconds.
Can't hear? Turn on captions
If you're in a loud place and don't have noise-cancelling headphones, you can use Meet's live captions to read what's being said in real time. It's particularly useful in busy households or open-plan environments.
Check it out — live captions can be turned on mid-call with a single click.
Presenting? Only share what you mean to share
Don't you love that moment when you're sharing your screen and then — unexpectedly — a personal notification pops up for everyone to see? Avoid this by sharing a specific window or tab rather than your entire screen. Meet lets you choose exactly what to present so nothing embarrassing slips through.
Want to read the room? Change the screen layout
One of the best features in Meet is changing the layout of the video call. Switch between spotlight view (to focus on the speaker), sidebar view (to see the presentation and attendees simultaneously), or tiled view (to see everyone at once).
Learn how to change your layout mid-call to suit the moment.
Be real
Everyone has a life outside of work. Depending on the culture of your workplace, it can be OK — even good — to show a little of that on a video call. A kid wandering into frame or a dog barking in the background can humanise a meeting. Don't stress it. The best calls happen when people feel comfortable being themselves.
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