Communication Tools for the Quarantine
Video Conference Platforms
Although it’s a very distant second, the next best thing to face-to-face interaction in a live setting is face-to-face interaction in a digital one. There are a few unofficial social rules to consider as you engage in this new frontier. Let’s go through them, shall we?
1) Let your family (or others in your surrounding) know if you are going to be on video. Nobody needs to see grandpa walking by in the background in his underpants.
2) Don’t feel the need to verbally agree with everything being said as it is being said. Your computer merges all the sounds of all the people in all the little Brady-Bunch squares into one audio channel. Unlike normal relational interaction, ANY sound that is made competes with the sound of the one who is speaking. So, instead of saying “uh-huh” when you agree with someone, just try shaking your head.
3) If you are on with a group of three or more and someone is talking but you have a question or clarification to speak, try raising your hand.
4) Don’t expect to get great responses to your jokes. Humor is about timing and voice inflection as much as it is about content. Video communication can really harsh the mellow of a comedic moment.
5) Don’t forget that you are on a VIDEO call. If you are on a laptop and you pull up another screen, it’s easy to forget that people are watching you. There are things we do in private when no one is watching that we shouldn’t do when people are. Learn from this woman’s mistake.
6) Lighting. A video call is about being able to see and connect with one another. Put a light behind your camera (computer/phone) so that is illuminates your face. Refrain from having a lamp or other bright light behind you in the shot.
Okay, now let’s talk some of the platforms that have been utilized so far within our network of churches during the quarantine. Most of these platforms have audio options as well, but let’s focus on the video aspects.
Zoom. So far, Zoom has been a crowd favorite during the coronavirus. Zoom is free and just requires a host to log in and create a meeting time. Once that meeting is created, the link can be sent to up to 100 participants. Also, the whiteboard feature is cool. BUT…here’s the catch…typically, Zoom only allows for video meetings of 3 or more to last more than 40 minutes. However, they have been waiving this time during the early phases of the quarantine. But prepared if you have more than three participants…your call may end at 40 minutes (unless you upgrade to pro). I will say, if you DO get pro, the ability to change backgrounds while on a video call are worth the price. For more information on setting up your meeting, click here.
Skype. Similar to Zoom, Skype allows up to 50 people. Skype is designed more for audio than video, but works really well with smaller numbers.
Webex. This is a very similar platform to Zoom, and they have also waived the 40 minute limit during the pandemic. For help getting started, click here.
FaceTime. If everyone your are communicating with is an owner of an Apple iPhone (or Mac or iPad), you are in luck. FaceTime is a free video (and audio) app that is very simple to use. And…it works for up to 32 people on 1 call! If one of your party isn’t on an apple device, this won’t work for them. If you need help getting started on FaceTime, check out this link.
Houseparty. This is another free app (that isn’t limited to just the Apple operating system) that works for up to 8 people. You’ll probably be able to tell this pretty quickly, but Houseparty is definitely designed to be aimed at Gen Z (current high school/college age). If you need more help figuring out this app, check out this link.
Video Broadcast Platforms
If you desire to personally deliver thoughts, encouragement, or even just add some hilarity into the lives of those around you, then consider the following video broadcast services. These platforms don’t allow for 2-way conversations, but allow only for a broadcast from the author and comments from the audience.
Facebook/Facebook Live. If you shoot your own video (via phone), you can upload it to your Facebook page. It’s pretty simple process. If you want to rally people to watch your video together at one time (like having a release party), you can utilize the Facebook Watch Party option. This allows people to experience a bit of commonality in time with one another even even if they aren’t in sync with the timing of the original video. Facebook live allows the audience to watch LIVE as the video is being recorded. In all of these formats, the videos are available for people to watch at later times.
Youtube/Youtube Live. Similar to Facebook, Youtube allows you the possibility to upload a video from your phone. Youtube live allows real-time streaming similar to Facebook. The disadvantage of Youtube is simply that it’s not connected directly to social media.
Tick Tock. This is mostly for the youngin's, but if you like to dance, karaoke, or do really random things…then this is your broadcast platform.
Marco Polo. This app allows you to send video messages. With Marco Polo, you don’t have to be on at the same time, but you still capture the beauty of video communication.
Audio Platforms
Zoom, Webex, Skype and others also allow for audio calls with many participants.
iPhone Conference Call. Keep in mind that iPhone lets you have up to 5 people on an audio call. If you’ve never done a conference call on iPhone, click here for instructions.
Voxer. This app allows users to record an audio message, send text, and attach pictures. The major benefit is that the listener can speed up the message 2x, 3x, or 4x which is very time efficient. Voxer allows for groups to send audio messages to one another as well.
Other forms of communication that may be helpful:
Nextdoor. This is a great way to stay connected and offer help to your neighbors. Just yesterday a person in our neighborhood posted something about putting teddy bears in windows for kids to find if parents just need to get out with them on a drive. Within 24 hours, over 60 households have posted that they have stuffed animals in the windows! Not everyone is on it, but enough people are using it to make it effective.
Facebook Private Group. This could work for your church or for your neighborhood. It allows people to interact via social media but just with others in the private group.
E-mail. When all else fails, take a trip back to the late 90’s and just get an email chain going. It’s annoying as all get out, but email is still a staple basis of communication for the world.
Yes, we are quarantined…but we have technology at our fingertips that frees us to relate to one another in incredible ways.
Yes, we are social distancing…but we have social media to help us bridge gaps and connect with people.
As your community is maneuvering this quarantine, feel free to add any tips, tricks or technologies that you have found useful.