Starting Your Own Meeting
Okay, now that you know how to join, let me show you how to be the one running the show. Maybe you want a weekly chat with the grandkids, or your book club wants to meet online. Here's how.
First Things First
You'll need a free Teams account to HOST a meeting. Go to teams.microsoft.com, click "Sign up for free," and follow the steps. Takes about two minutes.
Start an Instant Meeting (Right Now)
- Open Teams (app or website)
- Click the Meet button (it looks like a little camera)
- Click "Start meeting"
- Copy the meeting link
- Send that link to whoever you want to join — text, email, carrier pigeon, whatever works
Schedule a Meeting for Later
- Click on Calendar in Teams
- Click "New meeting"
- Add a title, date, and time
- Add people's email addresses
- Click Save — they'll get an email with the link
Here's the cool part — the link you send? The person clicking it doesn't need a Teams account. They just click and join. Easy.
Screen Sharing & Troubleshooting
Sharing Your Screen
Sometimes you need to show someone what's on your screen. Maybe a photo, a document, or that weird error message you keep getting.
Click the Share button in the toolbar
- Click the Share button in the toolbar (the one with the little arrow pointing up)
- You'll see a panel like this pop up:
Choose what to share:
🖥
Screen
Everything on your display
📊
PowerPoint
A presentation file
- Pick what you want to share — Screen shows everything, Window shows just one app
- A red or purple border appears around what you're sharing
- Click "Stop sharing" when you're done
Heads Up!
When you share your screen, people can see EVERYTHING on that screen. Close anything you don't want the group seeing first. I'm just looking out for you.
Okay, Let's Talk About the Stuff That Goes Wrong
Because something always goes wrong the first time. That's normal. Here are the big ones:
"They Can't Hear Me!"
Check if you're muted (the microphone button). Click it to unmute. Also make sure Teams is using the right microphone — click the three dots (...) and go to Device settings.
"I Can't Hear Them!"
Check your computer's volume. Then check Teams' speaker settings under the three dots (...) > Device settings. Make sure it's using your speakers or headphones, not some random device.
"Everyone Hears an Echo!"
Plug in headphones. Seriously, that fixes it 90% of the time. The echo happens when your mic picks up sound from your speakers and sends it right back. Headphones break that loop.
"My Camera Isn't Working!"
Make sure no other app is using the camera (close Zoom, Skype, etc.). Check your privacy settings — Windows sometimes blocks camera access. And the classic: is there a little sliding cover on your webcam? Slide it open.
"My Video Keeps Freezing!"
If your video stutters or freezes up, it might be your internet connection, not Teams itself. Try turning off your camera to save bandwidth, or move closer to your Wi-Fi router.
If your video keeps freezing, it might be your internet, not Teams. Take our
Slow Internet microcourse to find out.
Quiz 3: Match the Buttons
Match each button to what it actually does. Click one on the left, then click its match on the right.
Button
Mute
Chat
Reactions / Raise Hand
Share
Leave (red button)
What It Does
Show your screen to everyone
Properly exit the meeting
Turns your microphone on and off
Let the host know you want to speak
Send text messages during the meeting
Video Meeting Etiquette
A few quick tips to make you look like a pro — even on your very first call.
- Mute when you're not talking. Background noise is the number one meeting killer. Your dog, your TV, your AC — nobody else wants to hear it. Just click mute.
- Join a couple minutes early. This gives you time to make sure your audio and video work. Way better than fumbling with settings while everyone watches.
- Camera is optional. Some meetings want video on, some don't. If nobody says otherwise, you can leave it off. No judgment.
- Watch your lighting. Don't sit with a window behind you — you'll look like a shadow. Face the light source. A lamp in front of you works great.
- Leave properly. Click the red Leave button. Don't just slam your laptop shut — you might still be connected with your mic on. I've seen things, people. I've seen things.
That's it. You don't need a fancy background or a ring light. Just mute yourself, face a window, and be on time. You're already ahead of half the people in most meetings.
Quiz 4: The Echo Problem
What Would You Do?
You're on a Teams call and everyone's complaining about an echo. What's your best move?