Manners Still Matter: 10 Virtual Event Etiquette Tips

Every virtual event runs on a shared set of unspoken rules, whether people realize it or not. Most of us have shared a call with a Chewer, a Nature Lover, an Orator, or a Sneezer so we know how distracting it is when someone isn't being thoughtful. Getting the basics right keeps a meeting professional instead of distracting.

What is Virtual Event Etiquette?

Virtual event etiquette means muting when not speaking, using video with intention, testing your setup before joining, and keeping chat purposeful rather than a side conversation. Hosts should state expectations at the start of every event, and attendees should treat every virtual room with the same professionalism as an in-person one.

These basics of running a well-planned virtual event. For the bigger picture, see our Virtual Event Planning and Strategy guide

Ten Tips For Virtual Event Etiquette

• Test your tech - Confirm your connection, audio, and video settings. Troubleshooting is much easier before the event begins.
• Find a quiet place - We have a joke here at EventBuilder: the instant someone joins a call, the neighbor's leaf blower starts up outside. Plan for a quiet space before your event begins, and have a backup ready in case it doesn't stay quiet. 
• Show up on time - You wouldn't walk into an in-person event or meeting ten or more minutes late. The same rule applies here. 
• Wear headphones - Comfy, noise-canceling headphones block out the ambient noise you can't always control, from traffic outside to a dog that reacts to every doorbell. A decent set of headphones solve most of it.
• Mute your microphone - Keep your microphone muted unless you're speaking or interacting with the group. Chewing, sneezing, the wind rushing all carry farther than people expect, and nobody wants to hear it live. 
• Read the room before you speak - Every events has one person who tries to hold the floor. Learn your platform's chat, Q&A, and raised-hand features so you can add your question or comment without interrupting or talking over the group.
• Your webcam sees everything - If video is part of the event, your background is part of the picture, too. A virtual background is a fast fix if your space isn't camera-ready.
• Put the phone away - Looking down at a phone on camera reads as clearly on video as it does in person. Keep it out of reach, set other tasks aside and be an active, respectful listener.
• Dress for the event - Working from home makes pajamas tempting, but dressing the part makes it easier to show up mentally, not just visually. My rule: get dressed, feel awake, camera on or not.
• Step away the right way - If you need a break, mute your mic and turn off your camera before you go. Leaving both on while you leave the room is distracting for everyone in the meeting. 

Manners Still Matter

Virtual event norms keep evolving as the format matures, but the basics above cover most situations you'll run into. Treat this as a starting point, and adjust for your own event's culture and audience.

For how to handle rules violations disruptive behavior, and when a host can remove someone, see our Virtual Events Code of Conduct. 

FAQ: Virtual Event Etiquette

1. Should I keep my camera on during a virtual event? 

Keep it on if the event calls for it, and turn it off only when you need a real break. If your host has set camera expectations, follow those first.

2. What if my background isn't presentable?

Use a virtual or blurred background. Most platforms, including Microsoft Teams, offer this by default.

3. How do I ask a question without interrupting the speaker?

Use the platform's chat, Q&A queue, or raised-hand feature instead of talking over the presenter. Most hosts address questions in the order they come in.

4. Is it rude to eat or drink during a virtual meeting?

Muted and off camera view, a drink is fine. Chewing on an open mic is the one people remember for the wrong reasons.

5. What's the most common etiquette mistake in virtual events?

Forgetting the mic or camera is still on: an open mic during a side conversation, or a phone visible on-screen during someone else's presentation.

Need Help?

EventBuilder offers event and program management, production, training, and support for your webinars and virtual events, including professional producers and moderators who handle the details above so your team doesn't have to. Schedule a consultation with us today to talk through your next event.

Disclaimer: This article was created with some help from AI, but thoroughly edited, revised, reviewed, and fact-checked by a living, breathing, coffee-drinking human writer. Any and all em-dashes were strictly human-created.