Free screen sharing is easy, but are you doing it right?

If you’ve ever worked with remote teams, worked from home, or attended a virtual all-hands meeting, you’ve likely seen or even participated in free screen sharing. Screen sharing is typically a feature of a business productivity tool and done in partnership with programs such as free video conferencing or even free online whiteboards. However, each of these alone isn’t enough to keep up with the demands of today’s remote work.

Free screen sharing is a versatile tool that allows a person to share their computer screen with others in real-time so everyone in a meeting can see the same thing at the same time, eliminating the need to email relevant content like documents or images. It has made virtual real-time collaboration easy while helping keep meetings productive and successful.

Free screen sharing is easy, but there are right and wrong ways of doing it. So, let’s ensure you’re making the most of free screen sharing.

Visual learning tool

Time is a finite resource, and screen sharing can help cut the amount of time you would typically spend explaining ideas during a meeting. There are many uses for it, including online training and support, demonstrations for prospects, reviewing documents, and so on. The best programs will give you options, such as allowing you to share specific windows or your entire desktop during a meeting.

Whether you need to share ideas or reveal insights and data quickly, screen sharing is ideal. It has become a common practice in the business world because it allows for real-time collaboration and keeps your meeting moving without the holdups of needing to email something.

With most people being visual learners, your audience is more likely to understand and even retain the information you share if they can see it. Here are some tips to ensure you’re making the most of your free screen sharing:

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Know the software

You likely have access to several free screen sharing programs, so it’s imperative that you know the controls on the one you will be using. Although most are similar, they do have different user interfaces and controls. Ensure you’re comfortable with how to operate the software and the necessary display skills. Free screen sharing isn’t a traditional slide presentation, but it is a form of presenting, so being comfortable with the technology is a must.

Set your communication tools to “do not disturb”

Getting notifications in the middle of your free screen sharing session can slow the momentum of your progress, distract you, and be potentially embarrassing to you. Setting your communication tools to “do not disturb” helps ensure no unwanted messages appear on your screen in the middle of your presentation.

Clean your desktop or share a window

Much like your house, when you invite people in, you don’t want their first impression to be of your cluttered and messy desktop. A messy desktop can make it difficult for you to find the files you need to share but can also distract those you’re presenting to, making you look unprofessional and disorganized. A workaround if you don’t have the time to clean your desktop is to share a window instead of your whole desktop.

Close out all unneeded programs and apps

Shutting down unnecessary apps is especially important because you do not want to share personal information such as your bank account or any client or company-confidential information. Be proactive and prep before your meeting. Ask yourself, do you need to share your entire screen, or can you get by sharing a specific window? A quick cleanup will help ensure that you and those in your meeting aren’t caught off guard by something on your computer screen.

Make sure it’s secure

With cyber attacks happening roughly every 39 seconds, it’s more important than ever to ensure you and those you’re presenting to are secure. Choose a free screen sharing tool that’s fully integrated, easy to configure and secure.

Free screen sharing has many benefits, including engaging with remote workers and teams and while also encouraging collaboration. It is useful and easy, but it’s essential to ensure you’re doing it right. You’re opening up your (often private) world to others, and the implications of being unprepared can range from mildly embarrassing to catastrophic. Being prepared helps you avoid a bad experience for you and for those you’re presenting to.

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