Online mediation via Zoom appears to be the mediation norm for now. There are three main areas that if addressed, will lead to a good experience:
- A decent internet connection. If you get 10mb down and 6 or so up, then you should be fine. If you don’t know your internet speed go to https://www.speedtest.net/ and test it.
- Exercise some “best practices” which are totally under your control. That link has some good tips.
- Good equipment which can be obtained at minimal cost. That is what I’ll discuss here.
There are two things you should spend a little money on: an external webcam and an external microphone. The cameras and mics built into the computer are of limited quality. You need a better picture of yourself and you need to be heard without echoes, feedback, or background noise.
Webcam
An external webcam accomplishes two things: a clear image and a view that is not looking up your nose! The external webcam should be placed so that it is slightly above your head. Just look at all of the TV broadcasters on the telly from home. The camera is higher. Nobody wants to see your nostrils.
My favorite is anything from Logitech. Mine is the https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/c930e-webcam which can be had reasonably from Best Buy and Amazon. A less expensive but excellent option is the c925 which has a narrower field of view. The c930e has a wide field of view suitable to catch you and your client both sitting in front of the camera, even including some degree of social-distancing. The c925 narrow view will allow more of just a head/shoulders shot.
Mic
Microphones can come in three varieties: on the desk, in the webcam, or in a headset. The c930e has a very good built-in mic. Try the tonor mic for a Desktop mic at a modest cost. I know a lawyer who has one and likes it. I have switched to using a headset so that I can be heard better even when I turn my head to make notes or look at a document on a side monitor. It’s the Logitech H820e.
