In This Article
Before the Event
Managing Participants
Chat vs Q&A
Sharing Content
Accessibility During the Event
Before the Event
Use a Practice Session
Practice Sessions allow hosts and panelists to prepare before attendees enter.
Recommended activities:
- Test microphones
- Test cameras
- Verify screen sharing
- Review presentation flow
- Confirm panelist roles
- Enable live transcription
Important
Once a webinar is started and attendees are admitted, the session cannot be returned to Practice Mode.
Zoom Documentation
Using Webinar practice session
Managing Participants
Recommended webinar settings include:
- Mute Panelists Upon Entry
- Allow Panelists to Unmute Themselves
- Allow Panelists to Start Video
- Allow Panelists to Rename Themselves
Consider disabling attendee Raise Hand functionality when not needed.
Zoom Documentation
Managing webinar attendees and panelists
Chat vs Q&A
Deciding whether to enable chat or Q&A is one of the most important decisions for webinar hosts.
Chat
Use Chat when:
- Sharing links
- Making announcements
- Providing technical assistance
Important
If attendee chat is enabled, comments are immediate and unfiltered. Hosts cannot review or remove attendee messages before other attendees see them.
Chat options may include:
- No chat
- Host and panelists only
- Everyone
Zoom Documentation
How to manage chat during a webinar
Q&A
Use Q&A for moderated audience questions.
Benefits include:
- Questions can be answered privately or publicly.
- Questions can be marked Answered Live.
- Questions can be dismissed without being displayed to attendees.
- Anonymous questions may be allowed.
Best Practice
For larger events, Q&A is generally preferred over attendee chat. It provides greater moderation and control.
Zoom Documentation
How to manage Q&A during a webinar
Sharing Content
Hosts and co-hosts can control screen sharing permissions.
Once sharing is enabled, the host determines who is permitted to share content. Content can only be controlled or advanced by the participant who is sharing the content.
If presenting video content, remember to:
- Share computer sound
- Optimize for video
Zoom Documentation
Accessibility During the Event
Live Transcript
Auto-transcript is enabled by default to ensure your audience can view closed captioning as needed. Transcripts can also be downloaded and used for documentation such as meeting minutes. You can request that transcripts are sent to you after the meeting concludes.
Zoom Documentation
How to view captions in a meeting or webinar