Remote meetings are an integral aspect of collaboration, particularly for teams that are distributed. If you fail to adhere to the proper protocol for meetings, they can be less productive than in-person meetings. However, many of the same methods that can make meetings productive and entertaining in person can be applied to virtual meetings. Here are 13 tips from Forbes Coaches Council members on how to organize a successful remote meeting:

1. Use an agenda.

Start the meeting with an agenda to keep it clear and avoid getting lost in conversational waffle. If you can, prepare the agenda ahead of time, with the input of attendees, and present it at beginning of the session.

2. Encourage everyone to speak up.

Some people are hesitant to join online meetings because pop over to these guys they fear dominating the conversation or being interrupted. To counter this, consider making use of a conference call that has a specific microphone and camera. This can help block out background noises and amplify everyone’s voice in a similar way. Request comments or questions after the meeting to ensure everyone is heard.

3. Concentrate on action items and follow up.

Meetings usually end with vague action items and no clear plan for follow-up. To combat this, decide how actions will be documented and followed-up at the start of the meeting, and review them at the end of the session. You can also arrange one-on-one follow-up meetings, or another team session that is within a reasonable timeline.