Google Meet
Creating a Video Conference in Google Meet
Step 1: Sign in to your Google account
To start using Google Meet, you need a Google account. If you don’t have one, create it on the Google registration page. If you already have an account, simply sign in. Having a Google account also gives you access to many other services like Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets, which makes it useful not only for video conferencing but also for everyday work and study.
Step 2: Go to the Google Meet website
Navigate to the Google Meet website. You will see the main page of the service, where you can create a new meeting or join an existing one. The Google Meet interface is intuitive and easy to navigate even for beginners. The main page also contains links to useful resources and help materials to help you better understand the service’s features.
Step 3: Create a new meeting
Click on the "New meeting" button. You will be offered several options:
- Create a meeting for later
- Start an instant meeting
- Schedule in Google Calendar
For a quick start, select "Start an instant meeting." If you want to schedule a meeting for the future, select the appropriate option and follow the instructions. Scheduled meetings are especially convenient for regular events, such as weekly meetings or classes. Google Calendar will automatically send reminders to participants, helping them remember the meeting.
Step 4: Configure meeting settings
After creating the meeting, you can configure various settings, such as permissions for recording, use of virtual backgrounds, and participant access settings. These options make the meeting more productive and comfortable for all attendees. For example, you can enable automatic recording of the meeting to review important points later or share the recording with those who couldn’t attend.
Inviting Participants
Step 1: Copy the meeting link
After creating the meeting, you will receive a unique link. Copy it by clicking the "Copy meeting info" button. This link is the key element for joining the meeting, so make sure you copy it correctly and send it to all the necessary people.
Step 2: Send invitations
Send the copied link to participants using your preferred method: email, messengers, or social networks. You can also add participants through Google Calendar if you scheduled the meeting there. Sending invitations via Google Calendar is especially convenient because participants receive automatic notifications and can add the meeting to their calendars with one click.
Step 3: Using Google Calendar
If you scheduled the meeting through Google Calendar, participants will receive an automatic invitation by email with meeting details and the joining link. The invitation also includes the meeting date and time to avoid confusion. Google Calendar helps you easily manage schedules and avoid timing conflicts, which is especially important for business meetings and educational sessions.
Step 4: Reminders and notifications
Google Calendar automatically sends reminders about upcoming meetings to help participants remember them. You can adjust how often and when these reminders are sent for everyone’s convenience. This is particularly useful for regular meetings, such as weekly briefings or classes.
Conducting the Video Conference
Step 1: Equipment setup
Before the meeting starts, make sure your equipment works properly. Check your camera, microphone, and speakers. Google Meet has built-in tools for this. Setting up your equipment in advance helps avoid technical problems during the meeting and ensures good communication quality. You can also use external devices like USB cameras and microphones to improve video and sound quality.
Step 2: Start the meeting
When all participants have joined, start the meeting. You can use various Google Meet features to improve interaction:
- Mute and unmute your microphone
- Turn your camera on or off
- Use chat for text messages
- Share your screen to show presentations or other materials
These features let you manage the meeting flexibly and ensure effective interaction between participants. For example, screen sharing is especially useful for presentations, training, or collaborative work on documents.
Step 3: Managing participants
You can manage participants by muting microphones if there is noise or removing participants if necessary. Use the participant management panel for this. This feature is very helpful for large meetings with many participants. You can also assign co-hosts who will assist you in managing the meeting and maintaining order.
Step 4: Using interactive tools
Google Meet offers various interactive tools such as polls and Q&A sessions, which help make meetings more dynamic and engaging. These tools are especially useful for educational events and training where active participation is important. You can prepare polls and questions in advance to use at the right moment.
Ending and Additional Features
Ending the meeting
When the meeting is coming to an end, simply click "End meeting." Make sure all important issues are discussed and participants know the next steps. Ending the meeting also involves saving all important materials and recordings so they can be used later. You may send participants a summary email with key points and an action plan.
Recording the meeting
Google Meet allows you to record meetings. This is useful for those who couldn’t attend or for later review. To record, click the three dots in the lower right corner and select "Record meeting." Recordings are saved to Google Drive and can be easily shared with other participants. This is especially helpful for educational events and trainings where reviewing the material is important.
Using additional features
Google Meet offers many additional features, including:
- Virtual backgrounds to improve your appearance
- Support for up to 250 participants in one meeting (for Google Workspace users)
- Integration with other Google services such as Google Drive and Google Docs
These features make meetings more professional and convenient. For example, virtual backgrounds help hide unwanted elements behind you, and Google Drive integration allows easy sharing of documents and files during the meeting.
Tips for Improving Meeting Quality
To improve meeting quality, follow these simple tips:
- Use a wired internet connection for stable connectivity
- Close unnecessary applications and browser tabs to free up computer resources
- Use headphones with a microphone to improve audio quality
These simple steps will help make your meeting more productive and comfortable for everyone. It’s also recommended to test all equipment and settings in advance to avoid unexpected issues during the meeting.
