Why Zoom?

Pre-COVID19 video conferencing was a small, mostly underutilized option for remote teams and some C-Suite executives working across the country. Now, everyone uses some form of video to communicate – especially with loved ones! It’s also become the primary source of business communication. Video conferencing is definitely here to stay.

But not all businesses have jumped on the Zoom train! This makes sense, as some businesses are far more hands-on than others, like with construction companies. Video conferencing does make a lot of sense for tons of other companies: consulting, finance, supply chain, and advertising, just to name a few.

Why Choose Zoom

There are tons of video options out there, from Loom to Ring Central! To get the full functionality of these platforms, though, there is usually a cost involved.

In contrast, the free Zoom account can do everything the competition makes you pay for. Small to medium-sized businesses will significantly benefit from the unlimited one on one meetings that the free option provides! For businesses that need more accounts, time, or functionality, there are paid options:

Pro tip: The free version only offers meetings up to forty minutes long, which is a perfect way to keep your sessions short and sweet!

Before you start exploring what Zoom pricing options and functionality your business will need, ask some questions:

What kinds of meetings will I need to do? Just one-on-ones or big group meetings of more than a hundred people?
How large is your business? Does everyone need an account or just your executives and sales team?
Do I need a paid option? Is free enough for my business?
Will I need advanced presentation options? Or is sharing my screen enough?
Will I need to host webinars?

This isn’t an exhaustive list, of course, but it’s an excellent place to get started!

Zoom Options and Functions:

Two of our favorite functions are virtual backgrounds and webinars. Virtual backgrounds are a function that anyone can utilize, while webinars are designed for more specific types of businesses.

Virtual Backgrounds:
Zoom backgrounds might be the most fun option a video conferencing platform has. We can even get close to space! (Or as close as most of us will be.) Choose to be an astronaut or upload your favorite vacation photo to get the right beach vibes. Although you do need specific hardware requirements, it’s easy to set up if you want to have a more astonishing background or hide your furry co-workers on your coach. This is also a great way to incorporate your brand and logo as any photo can be uploaded as a background.

Webinars:
Paid Zoom accounts can host webinars! Many large conferences utilize Zoom to facilitate breakout rooms and host panelists no matter their location. Black Diamond Weekend was almost entirely Zoom-based! Yet, the primary distinction between webinars and meetings is the capacity for the participants on screen. In meetings, all participants are a part of the gallery. In webinars, only panelists appear on the screen. Of course, hosts can manipulate all of the functions and make the platform work for them.

How to Get Started With Zoom:

We would recommend checking out Zoom’s Help Center to really get started with Zoom. Even if you are a video conferencing master, there are lots of tips and tricks that you can learn. For anyone who isn’t as technologically savvy, Zoom’s easy to follow guides will help you set up everything quickly and easily.

Black BRAND and many of our members use zoom as part of their business tool kits. Many of our events have become virtual because of COVID-19. This has brought Zoom to the forefront and very heart of our events, which we can bring to everyone from the comfort of their homes!

Check out Black BRAND’s Facebook page and Eventbrite for these upcoming events:

B-Force Accelerator Launch “What Every Entrepreneur Needs” on February 25th