Normalize 👏 Audio-Only 👏 Zoom 👏 Calls
Not to jinx anything, but today was the first time in a long time where I had 4+ client/business calls in a day, and my brain isn’t a steaming puddle of mush by the end of the day.
When the pandemic started and everything became a Zoom call, it was a slow boil for me. After a few months, I had to ruthlessly cut back on all my calls — masterminds, communities, clients, leads, podcast interviews, etc. — because that much time on calls (and on camera) was not working for me.
So, I adjusted. Deferred and canceled all the meetings and calls that I could. And I waited for things to change.
Then, thanks to a tweet from my buddy Joel Hooks (@jhooks of Egghead.io), I started to noodle on switching to audio-only Zoom calls.
After all, where’s the value in a call with me?
- Is it from my gorgeous face on the call? (😍)
- Or does the value come from the conversations and the sharing of ideas?
(A little from column A, a lot from column B.)
So, I started experimenting.
On Zoom calls with close colleagues or friends, I’d say, “Hey, can we just do audio-only or audio + screen share today?” And 100% of the time, people said yes (and a few thanked me for suggesting it).
Today was a Big Call Day. Client meetings and a few calls with colleagues.
On each call, I said, “Hey, let’s do audio-only today.” No one objected, the calls were great, and I feel fine.
Take today’s letter as a point of encouragement: if you too are stressed out, tired, and just completely over being on video calls all the time, say to people, “I can do audio-only.” It will be fine.
Excelsior!
Kai