Tired of the same old Zoom waiting room screen? Want to make a more engaging and professional first impression? Zoom allows you to customize your waiting room with a video, turning those few pre-meeting minutes into an opportunity to connect with your attendees.
We get tons of compliments on our OTM Zoom waiting room video, which you can watch here:
So here’s a quick article to guide you through creating and uploading a custom waiting room video that reflects your brand and sets the stage for a successful meeting.
Why Use a Waiting Room Video?
A custom waiting room video is more than just a visual placeholder. It’s a chance to:
- Reinforce your brand: Showcase your logo, company colors, or a short brand message.
- Provide valuable information: Share meeting guidelines, required materials, or a brief agenda.
- Engage your audience: Play a fun, relevant video to entertain or inform attendees.
- Create a professional impression: A well-produced video demonstrates attention to detail and enhances your credibility.
- Reduce waiting anxiety: A captivating video can make the wait time feel shorter and more enjoyable.
What Makes a Great Waiting Room Video?
Keep these tips in mind when creating your video:
- Keep it short and sweet: Aim for a video length of 30-60 seconds. Attendees won’t be in the waiting room for extended periods, and you want to avoid overwhelming them.
- High-quality production: A professional-looking video reflects positively on your brand. Use good lighting, clear audio, and professional editing.
- Relevant content: Choose content that is appropriate for your audience and the context of the meeting.
- Loopable: The video will play on a loop, so ensure it has a smooth transition back to the beginning. Avoid hard cuts or abrupt endings.
- Silent or low audio: While music can be nice, keep the volume low or opt for a silent video. Attendees might be joining from different environments, and loud audio could be disruptive.
- Clear visuals: Use easy-to-read text and visually appealing graphics.
- Mobile-friendly: Ensure your video is optimized for viewing on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
How to Create Your Video:
You have several options for creating your waiting room video:
- DIY with video editing software: If you’re comfortable with video editing, use software like iMovie, DaVinci Resolve (free and paid versions available), or Adobe Premiere Pro to create your video.
- Use online video creation tools: Platforms like Canva, Animoto, or Biteable offer templates and easy-to-use interfaces for creating professional videos, even without prior experience.
- Hire a professional: For a truly polished video, consider hiring a professional video production company.
Uploading Your Video to Zoom:
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal: Go to zoom.us and sign in to your account.
- Navigate to Settings: Click on “Settings” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Go to In Meeting (Advanced): Scroll down and click on the “In Meeting (Advanced)” tab.
- Find Waiting Room: Scroll down to the “Waiting Room” section.
- Customize Waiting Room: Check the box next to “Customize waiting room.”
- Upload Video: Click the “Upload” button next to “Waiting room video” and select your video file. Zoom supports MP4 files.
- Save Changes: Click “Save” at the bottom of the page.
Tips for Success:
- Test your video: After uploading, join a test meeting to ensure your video plays correctly in the waiting room.
- Update your video regularly: Keep your waiting room fresh by updating your video content periodically.
- Consider your audience: Tailor your video to the specific audience you’ll be meeting with.
- Promote your video: Let attendees know they can expect a custom waiting room experience by mentioning it in your meeting invitations.
Need help transforming your Zoom waiting room from a static screen into a dynamic and engaging experience for your attendees? Contact us today to learn how we can partner with you to elevate your customer/client experience.