Welcome to The Silver Techie’s guide on making a Zoom call! Our host, Anthony Alarcon, is here to walk you through each step of the process. Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy – we’ll explain everything in simple terms to help you connect with your loved ones easily.
Getting Started
Step 1: Download and Install Zoom
- On your computer, open your web browser and go to www.zoom.us/download
- Click the blue “Download” button under “Zoom Client for Meetings”
- Once the download is complete, click on the downloaded file to install Zoom
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
Step 2: Create a Zoom Account
- Go to www.zoom.us
- Click the orange “Sign Up, It’s Free” button in the top right corner
- Enter your email address and click “Sign Up”
- Check your email for a confirmation message from Zoom
- Click the “Activate Account” button in the email
- Follow the prompts to create your password and complete your account setup
Making a Zoom Call
Step 1: Open Zoom
- Find the Zoom icon on your computer desktop (it looks like a white video camera on a blue background)
- Double-click the icon to open Zoom
Step 2: Start a New Meeting
- Click the orange “New Meeting” button
- A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to join with computer audio – click “Join with Computer Audio”
Step 3: Invite Others to Your Meeting
- Look at the bottom of your Zoom window for a toolbar
- Find and click the “Participants” button (it looks like two people)
- In the new window that opens, click “Invite” at the bottom
- Choose “Copy Invite Link” and share this link with your friends or family via email or text message
During Your Zoom Call
Turning On Your Camera
- Look for the camera icon in the bottom-left corner of your Zoom window
- If there’s a red line through it, click it to turn on your camera
Muting and Unmuting Yourself
- Find the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner
- Click it to mute (red line will appear) or unmute (no red line)
Using the Chat Feature
- Click the “Chat” button in the toolbar at the bottom of your screen
- Type your message in the box that appears and press Enter to send
Ending the Call
- Click the red “End” button in the bottom-right corner
- Choose “End Meeting for All” if you’re the host, or “Leave Meeting” if you’re a participant
Q&A Section
Q: What if I can’t hear anyone on the call?
A: First, check if your computer’s volume is turned up. Then, click the up arrow next to the microphone icon in Zoom and select “Test Speaker & Microphone” to make sure your audio is working correctly.
Q: How do I share my screen?
A: Click the green “Share Screen” button in the toolbar at the bottom. Choose what you want to share (your entire screen or a specific application) and click “Share.”
Q: What if my internet connection is poor?
A: Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router. If that doesn’t help, you can turn off your video by clicking the camera icon to improve the audio quality.
Q: How do I change my background?
A: Click the up arrow next to the camera icon, select “Choose Virtual Background,” and pick an image or blur your background.
Q: Can I record the Zoom call?
A: Yes, if you’re the host. Click the “Record” button in the toolbar. The recording will be saved to your computer when the meeting ends. Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to experiment with Zoom’s features before your first call. You can even start a meeting with just yourself to get comfortable with the controls. At The Silver Techie, we believe in your ability to master new technology. Tune in to The Silver Techie Podcast with Anthony Alarcon for more tips and tricks on using Zoom and other tech tools. Visit www.thesilvertechie.com for more resources and join our community of tech-savvy seniors. With some patience and practice, you’ll be Zooming like a pro in no time!
