Zoom Basics
Your Friendly Guide to Video Calls — Desktop Edition
Hey There! Welcome to Zoom Basics!
I'm Skits, and I work with Jerry over at SKTS — Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions. Today I'm going to teach you Zoom. Yeah, that Zoom. The one everybody started talking about a few years ago.
In about 10 minutes, you'll know everything you need to join calls, use the controls, and even set up your own meetings. Not bad for a Tuesday, right?
But first — what's your name?
What You'll Walk Away Knowing:
- What Zoom actually is (spoiler: it's not scary)
- Whether you need an account (you might not!)
- How to join a meeting when someone sends you a link
- What all those buttons do once you're in
- How to host your own call and invite people
- What to do when things go wrong (because they will, and that's okay)
What are you using today?
What IS Zoom, Anyway?
Zoom is a video calling app. That's really all it is. You open it up, you see people's faces, you talk. Done.
It got famous during the pandemic when suddenly everyone — grandparents, churches, doctors, schools — needed a way to see each other without being in the same room. And Zoom was right there.
Who Uses Zoom?
- Families catching up across the country
- Doctors doing telehealth appointments
- Churches and Bible study groups
- Book clubs and hobby groups
- Businesses big and small
- Schools and tutors
So if someone says "let's Zoom," they're just asking you to hop on a video call. That's it. Nothing to be nervous about.
Do You Need an Account?
Okay, this is the #1 question I get. So let me clear this up once and for all.
Just Joining Someone Else's Meeting?
NO account needed! Someone sends you a link, you click it, you're in. That's it. Seriously.
Want to Host Your Own Meetings?
Then yes, you'll need a free account. Head to zoom.us and sign up. Takes about 2 minutes.
Setting up a new account? Make sure your password is solid. Our Password Security 101 microcourse has you covered.
Zoom Plans at a Glance
| Plan | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace Basic | Free | One-on-one calls unlimited, group calls 40 minutes |
| Workplace Pro | $14.16/mo | Longer meetings, great for personal use or small teams |
| Workplace Business | $18.33/mo | Larger teams, more features |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Big companies with big needs |
Here's the thing most people don't realize: one-on-one calls are completely unlimited on the free plan. The 40-minute limit only kicks in when you've got 3 or more people. And even then, you can just start a new meeting when time runs out. No big deal.
Let's see if those first few slides stuck. I hear these myths from clients every single week. Let's bust 'em.
"You need a Zoom account to JOIN someone else's meeting."
"One-on-one Zoom calls on the free plan have no time limit."
"Group calls on the free plan are limited to 40 minutes."
"Zoom only works on computers — you can't use it on a phone or tablet."
Getting Zoom & Joining a Meeting
Okay, so you've got two choices for getting Zoom. You can use it in your web browser — no download at all — or you can install the app. I'm gonna be honest with you: get the app.
Option 1: Your Web Browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari (No Download)
When you click a Zoom link, you can choose "Join from Your Browser." This works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari — whatever browser you already use. It gets the job done. But it's clunkier, and some features don't work as well.
Option 2: The App (Recommended)
Download from zoom.us/download on your computer. Install it like any other program.
Skits' Tip
The app runs way smoother than the browser. If you're going to Zoom more than once — and you will — just install it. It's free.
One More Thing
Only download Zoom from the official source: zoom.us. Don't click random "Download Zoom" links from emails or sketchy websites. That's how you get headaches.
Want to get better at spotting fake downloads and scam emails? Check out our Stay Safe Online microcourse.
Now Let's Join a Meeting
There are three ways to join a Zoom meeting. All three get you to the same place.
Way 1: Click a Link from an Email
Someone emailed you a Zoom invite? Just click the link. Zoom opens up and you're on your way in.
Way 2: Click a Link from a Text Message
Got the Zoom link by text? Same thing — click or tap it. A link is a link, whether it comes by email, text, WhatsApp, or carrier pigeon.
Way 3: Enter a Meeting ID and Passcode
Sometimes you don't have a clickable link. Maybe someone read you the meeting info over the phone, or it's printed on a flyer at church. No problem.
- Open the Zoom app (or go to zoom.us/join in your browser)
- Click the "Join" button
- Type in the Meeting ID (the number from the invite)
- Type in your name
- Click "Join"
- Enter the Passcode if it asks for one
Where Do I Find the Meeting ID and Passcode?
They're in the meeting invitation — usually right below the clickable link. If someone is giving them to you over the phone, just ask them to read the Meeting ID and Passcode slowly. That's all you need.
Once You're In (All Three Ways)
No matter how you joined, the next steps are the same:
- Choose "Open Zoom" or "Join from Your Browser"
- Enter your name if it asks
- Click "Join with Computer Audio" — DON'T SKIP THIS
- Wait in the Waiting Room if the host hasn't let you in yet
The Most Common Mistake I See
People forget to click "Join with Computer Audio." If you skip that, nobody can hear you and you can't hear them. When that blue button pops up — click it!
Optional: Want to See It in Action?
I made a quick walkthrough video showing you exactly how to join a Zoom meeting, step by step. It's totally optional — skip it and come back later, or watch it now. Your call.
🎬 Jerry's walkthrough video coming soon
A personal, step-by-step screen recording showing you exactly how to join a Zoom call.
Meeting Controls — What All Those Buttons Do
You're in! Now let me show you what all those buttons do. See that toolbar at the bottom of your screen?
This is roughly what the Zoom toolbar looks like. It lives at the bottom of your screen. Move your mouse to make it appear if it's hiding.
Your Buttons, Left to Right
- Mute / Unmute — This is the microphone icon. Click it to mute yourself (a red line appears). Click again to unmute. This is your best friend.
- Video — The camera icon. Turns your camera on and off. Nobody will judge you if you leave it off.
- Participants — Shows you who's on the call. You can also raise your hand here.
- Chat — Send a text message to everyone (or privately to one person) without unmuting.
- Share Screen (green button) — Shows your screen to everyone. We'll cover this more in a couple of slides.
- Reactions — Send a thumbs up, clap, or other reaction without interrupting.
- Leave (red button) — Click this when you're done. Always use this — don't just close your laptop!
Gallery View vs. Speaker View
Zoom gives you two ways to see everyone. You can switch between them using the "View" button in the top-right corner of your Zoom window.
Look for this in the top-right corner of your Zoom window:
Click this button to switch views
Speaker View
Whoever's talking gets the big window. Everyone else is small at the top.
Gallery View
Everyone gets an equal-sized box. Great for group calls.
I like Gallery View for family calls so I can see everybody. Speaker View is nice for presentations when one person's doing most of the talking.
Your grandchild just texted you a Zoom link for a Sunday family call. Put these steps in the right order. Click them in sequence — first step first.
Starting Your Own Meeting
What if you want to be the host? Maybe you want a weekly family call or your knitting group wants to go virtual. Good news — it's way easier than you think.
First thing: you'll need a free Zoom account. Go to zoom.us, click Sign Up, and follow the steps. Takes about 2 minutes.
Start an Instant Meeting (Right Now)
- Open the Zoom app
- Click the orange "New Meeting" button
- You're live! Now click "Participants" at the bottom
- Click "Invite" and copy the meeting link
- Text or email that link to whoever you want to join
Schedule a Meeting (For Later)
- Open the Zoom app and click "Schedule"
- Pick a date and time
- Give it a name (like "Sunday Family Call")
- Click Save — Zoom creates a link for you
- Send that link to everyone who should attend
The Best Part?
The people you invite don't need Zoom accounts. You send them a link, they click it, they're in. You're the only one who needs an account.
Quick Reminder
On the free plan, group calls (3+ people) have a 40-minute limit. One-on-one calls? No time limit at all.
Match each Zoom feature to what it actually does. Click one on the left, then click its match on the right.
Feature
What It Does
Zoom Etiquette
Here are a few quick things that'll make you look like a Zoom pro — even if today's your first day.
The Unofficial Rules
- Mute when you're not talking. Background noise is the #1 annoyance on group calls. Your dog, your TV, your dishwasher — everyone can hear it.
- Join a couple minutes early. Gives you time to fix anything that's acting up.
- Camera is optional. Nice to see faces, but nobody's going to force you. Do what's comfortable.
- Good lighting helps. Sit facing a window or lamp. If the light is behind you, you'll look like a shadow.
- Eye level is best. Prop your laptop or phone up so the camera is at eye height. Nobody needs to see up your nose.
- Stable internet matters. If your video keeps freezing, try moving closer to your router or turning off video for a bit.
And when the meeting's over — click the red Leave button. Don't just close your laptop. I've heard stories. People said things they wish they hadn't.
You're on a Zoom call and your dog starts barking while someone's trying to talk. People are giving you looks. What do you do?
Quick Recap
Alright, here's everything we just covered in one quick list. If you remember these, you're golden.
The Big Takeaways
- Zoom is just video calling. That's it.
- You don't need an account to join. Just click the link.
- To host, get a free account at zoom.us.
- "Join with Computer Audio" — always click this button.
- Mute is your best friend. Use it liberally.
- Free group calls = 40 minutes. One-on-one calls are unlimited.
- When in doubt, leave and rejoin. Fixes most things.
- Click "Leave" when you're done. Don't just close the laptop.
Almost done — just two more quick checks to make sure everything stuck. You've got this.
You want to host a weekly Zoom call with three friends from church. What's the play?
Picture this: Your church group just moved their Thursday Bible study to Zoom. The group leader texts you a link Wednesday night. It's now Thursday at 6:58 PM — two minutes before it starts. You've never used Zoom before in your life. What do you do?
You Did It!
I'm genuinely proud of you. That wasn't so bad, was it?
Here's What You Now Know How to Do:
- Understand what Zoom is and who uses it
- Know that you can join without an account
- Join a meeting from a link — and click that audio button
- Use mute, camera, chat, reactions, and screen sharing
- Tell the difference between Gallery View and Speaker View
- Start your own meeting and invite people
- Troubleshoot the three most common problems
- Leave a meeting the right way
Next time someone sends you a Zoom link, you're going to click it with confidence. And if something goes sideways? You know exactly what to check.
You've got this.
Didn't Catch the Video Earlier?
No worries — here it is again. This is Zoom's own walkthrough on joining a meeting. Great to watch right before your first real call.
🎬 Jerry's walkthrough video coming soon
A personal, step-by-step screen recording showing you exactly how to join a Zoom call.
Bookmark this page and come back when you're about to join your first real call.
You just went from "what's a Zoom?" to knowing how to join, host, share your screen, troubleshoot problems, AND look like you've been doing this for years.
That's not nothing. That's everything.
Next time someone sends you a Zoom link, you're going to click it with confidence. Now go Zoom somebody!
Need a Hand With Anything Else?
That's literally what we do for a living. If you need help with Zoom — or anything tech — we're here for you.
Let SKTS Help You Get Connected
We can help with:
- Setting up your free Zoom account
- Installing Zoom on your computer, phone, or tablet
- Walking you through your first meeting in real time
- Fixing audio, video, or connection problems
- Setting up recurring meetings with family or groups
540.303.2410
Shared Knowledge Technical Solutions
We don't just fix computers — we educate.
