Online Meeting Etiquette:
The key to a successful video conference or phone conference meeting is to remember that you are in a meeting. Give your full attention to the participants as you would if you were in the same room. Don't be distracted by e-mail, web surfing, or texting. Try not to eat or drink so that you can be prepared if questions are directed to you. (Bruce’s note – we ALL need morning coffee or tea, just put yourself on mute before you slurp or rattle cups…) .........
A good rule of thumb: Always assume when you walk into the room that the microphones are already live to other locations! This helps prevent any extraneous pre-meeting conversation from being broadcast when you might not intend it to.
Be aware that video-conference meetings should actually move at a slightly slower pace than a typical meeting due to a two to three second delay for some systems to communicate. If you're leading the meeting, make sure there are sufficient pauses after asking a question. If you are a participant, bring attention to yourself before addressing the group by signaling with your hand or saying "question" or "comment" and then waiting a couple seconds before continuing.
Participants should also make eye contact by looking into the camera. It will make conversation among the participants more natural.
A quick cheat sheet on etiquette:
The 8 Do's of Video Conferencing Etiquette
Do be courteous to other participants
Do speak clearly
Do keep body movements minimal
Do move and gesture slowly and naturally
Do maintain eye contact by looking into the camera
Do dress appropriately
Do make the session animated
Do be yourself and have fun!
The 7 Don'ts of Video Conferencing Etiquette
Don't make distracting sounds
Don't shout
Don't make distracting movements
Don't interrupt other speakers
Don't carry on side conversations
Don't wear "noisy" jewellery
Don't cover the microphone