Digital Best Practices
Digital Communication
Communicate with your group early and often. Send weekly emails or text reminders regarding group meetings, and let your group know you are there for them.
Turn off any potential distractions ahead of time, so you can be fully engaged.
Check in with group members after week six. Ask: How are you doing? How is the digital format working? Do you feel you are connecting with other group members? How can I pray for you? How can I help?
Sound
Since background noise can cause feedback and static noise on your call, ask group members to mute themselves when they are not talking to eliminate feedback.
If you have others in the home (e.g., roommate or spouse) who are not in the group, please consider using headphones to maintain confidentiality.
Consider playing background music as people initially join the call. Consider using a playlist of worship music.
Video
Download the video-conferencing platform you chose ahead of time and test it to become familiar with it.
To ensure the integrity and safety of your digital group, please make your meeting links password protected, create a waiting room, or make the meeting invitation only.
Go online early before each meeting to ensure your video and audio are working.
Sit close to the screen, so it appears you are sitting across from them. Be mindful of the camera angle and what is behind you.
Good lighting goes a long way. Place lighting behind your computer or phone, not directly behind you, so it brightens your face.
Dealing with Zoom Fatigue
Have you had the thought, I simply cannot do another one of these Zoom calls!? Your eyes are glazed, your head aches, and your whole body is tired from doing . . . well, nothing— but sitting. in. front. of. the. computer. You are exhausted. Zoom fatigue is a real thing. In this season, you’ve probably experienced it. But when going digital may be the only way you can connect with others, it’s worth the fight. The great news is that we have some ways to help.
Shorten Group Time.
Our groups will typically meet 1.5–2 hours. For Zoom meetings, we recommend you reduce the time to about 45 minutes to an hour.
Have a Plan.
There’s enough uncertainty in the world. Let’s have a plan! Having a plan helps to set expectations and met expectations = comfort. Groups that consistently go with unstructured time often lose momentum and people lose the desire to be on the calls.
Watch the Videos Prior to Group Time.
Leverage the time you are together to connect and engage; allow any passive things to be completed outside of group. This also helps with the shorter group time.
Build in Time for Connecting.
Just like you would in a regular group meeting, spend a little time connecting with one another on the front end. This helps people feel more comfortable and helps with adjusting. It can be as simple as asking a question like: If you could only have three apps on your phone, what would they be? Or, What is your favorite quarantine snack?
Make It Fun.
Include fun icebreakers, check-ins with silly pics, or giveaways. Check out some more resources to help with the fun factor. Here are some fun ice breaker questions.
Mix It Up.
Use other types of communication (GroupMe, texts, phone calls, and emails are great for prayer requests and check-ins to help build in touch points throughout the week).
Do Not Multitask, When It’s Possible.
Multitasking requires more of you and adds to the brain drain. Each time you switch to something else, it takes time to adjust to the new thing and then to readjust back. No wonder we’re fatigued! (This includes getting coffee or running to the bathroom!)
Do Not Look at Your Face.
Seriously. Many of us were not born in the selfie generation, and we simply aren’t comfortable looking at ourselves for long periods of time. Have you caught yourself on a call asking yourself, “What is my hair doing?” or maybe “Are my pores really that big?” Those distractions help add to the Zoom fatigue as they draw your thoughts away from the subject at hand. (See multitasking above.) Hide your face if you are hyper-aware of every detail of your face or background.
Clarify the Order.
One of the bigger frustrations with digital platforms is talking over one another. To combat this, put in place a system to help clarify the order:
When people are responding to questions, call on people by name.
Have them utilize the raise-hand option and call on them.
Utilize the chat feature and engage with the answers from there.
Start on Time/End on Time.
This one goes under expectations. Remember, met expectations = comfort.
Set Aside Time for Group.
Just because you will be on a Zoom call doesn’t mean you should be driving somewhere or doing other things. Treat it like an in-person group meeting. Carve out the time for your relationships and spiritual growth—you deserve it! (This is one of those “when possible” sort of things. We realize sometimes it’s the difference between being able to at least “listen in” or missing group entirely.)
—Content From North Point Community Church
