We’ve gotten to a point in communication infrastructure where imagining it without Zoom is pretty much impossible. If you’re reading this article, we bet you jump on Zoom calls all the time!
We go over a lot of crucial information in Zoom meetings on a daily basis. This is why it’s important to know how to take Zoom notes. After all, you can’t keep track of everything and a lot can get lost if you don’t jot things down.
So, how can you pull off focusing on your meeting and highlighting key points at the same time? Easy! All you need to do is master the right techniques and use the right tools.
We’ll walk you through the process of how to take notes during a Zoom meeting automatically. On top of that, we’ll highlight:
- Why it’s important to take Zoom notes
- Tips on note-taking during any meeting
Zooming in on the Importance of Zoom Notes
As cool as it could be, our brains don’t have unlimited HDDs. Research shows that you remember only 50% of what’s discussed over a meeting. Plus, you might get sidetracked if you’re just learning how to join a Zoom meeting.
By learning how to take good meeting notes in Zoom, you won’t have to fish your memory or reach out to colleagues for clarification.
Here’s why taking meeting Zoom notes – or any other note – is a good idea:
It boosts comprehension and retention
Think of your Zoom notes as sponges that absorb key points, ideas, and information that you could have missed. Note-taking during Zoom meetings helps you remember essential details even after the meeting is over.
It encourages active listening
It’s easy to zone out during Zoom meetings – especially in the mornings! Note-taking boosts active listening, information analysis and summarizing skills. You can’t daydream if you’re focused on the meeting.
It improves focus and engagement
If you’re listening to take notes, then you’re automatically more engaged in the conversation. Making note-taking an integral part of your meetings will boost your focus and decrease distractions. On top of that, you’ll be a more active participant!
It’s a reference for future use
The crux is in the details, as they say! Zoom notes are valuable reference material. You never know which detail or action item will come in handy, so it’s best to have them jotted down for future reference.
How To Take Meeting Notes During Zoom Calls
Aside from pen and paper, there are now Zoom notetaker tools that streamline the process. Let’s take a look at a few options that you can use to take better Zoom meeting notes:
Option 1: Use the Krisp AI Meeting Assistant
Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant is an AI notetaker that takes Zoom meeting notes to the next level. You can use this automatic note-taker not only to save time, but also to focus on what truly matters. Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant is powered by OpenAI, the world’s leading AI technology. This allows it to be accurate, fast, and easy to use. A key advantage of using Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant is its automatic summarization future.
On top of transcribing Zoom meetings, the AI meeting summary feature breaks them down into bite-sized pieces. It highlights the main points so you don’t have to sift through the fluff. You can then use these Zoom AI meeting notes for reference.
Krisp also makes collaboration and sharing effortless.
The AI Meeting Assistant has a ton of features that you can use for your meetings. It cancels noise, removes background chatter and limits echo. On top of that, it’s equipped with AI transcription functionalities. It generates meeting summaries that you can use to create action items and discussion points. The end result? Collaboration with fellow meeting participants becomes seamless!
Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant also provides a cohesive experience.
You won’t need any plugins or extensions for it to function within your Zoom meetings. It operates out of sight, without interrupting your meetings. At the same time, it captures essential Zoom notes for you. How to automatically take notes in Zoom, you ask? This is a great place to start.
Option 2: Pair Zoom and Your Note-Taking App
You can take Zoom meeting notes using a note-taking app. Pick one you like, and open it side-by-side to your Zoom chat window. This way, you won’t have to switch between tabs or take notes on paper. You can type as you go through your meeting. It’s hard to choose the best Zoom note-taking app. It depends on your goals and needs.
Option 3: Try Zoom’s Notes Feature
Zoom came out with its Notes tool in September 2023. This in-built note-taking tool allows you to create notes and agendas before your meeting starts. You can share these with other participants as well. It eliminates the need of switching between different extensions or document tools. You can activate this feature after starting a Zoom call. Go to the in-meeting controls and click the Notes button. Then click New from the top right corner. There are also a number of formatting tools available for you to edit the text.
Option 4: Use Zoom’s Live Transcript Tool
If taking notes is distracting you, a good Zoom tip is to record your meeting. Click on the “Closed Caption” button at the bottom of the Zoom meeting window. Select “Enable Auto-Transcription.” The tool generates your meeting’s transcription. You can request it once your cloud recording is ready.
You can also find other tools online that help get better transcripts of your Zoom meetings. These come with extra features and add-ons. Make sure you review your Zoom security tips before using them.
Option 5: Try a Notetaking Extension
Going through a full transcription can sometimes be frustrating. A good solution is using Zoom note-taker extensions. These tools help you highlight only the important sections of your Zoom meetings. And it’s all done automatically.
These extensions seamlessly integrate with Zoom. You can use them to write and share notes on the same window as your Zoom app.
A Few Tips on Taking Zoom Notes
Regardless of what note-taking method you use, it’s best to prepare both before and during the meeting. That’s why we’ve put together some tips on how to take good meeting notes on Zoom. For better clarity, we’ll divide them into two main categories: before and during the meeting.
Before the Meeting
The more prepared you are before the meeting, the better it’ll go. We recommend having your own Zoom meeting checklist. Here’s a formula you can stick to:
1. Define your goals
Why are you having the meeting? If you define this, then you’ll know what’s coming and what to expect. This helps with note-taking, as your ear is now trained to spot key points that you need to take notes of.
2. Know the agenda beforehand
Every meeting has an agenda. Knowing it beforehand helps you identify the sections you need to keep an eye on for note-taking. If you’re not an organizer yourself, you can always ask for an agenda before the meeting starts.
3. Prepare your note-taking tools
This is a no-brainer. Make sure your note-taker apps, meeting transcription tool, extensions and even pen and paper are ready. This way, you’ll spare yourself the stress of last-minute setups. You’ll also save a lot of time.
During the Meeting
If you’re well-prepared, the rest of the meeting should flow smoothly. But there are still things to consider when it comes to taking notes:
1. Be selective and organized
Don’t write down the entire meeting! Focus on the most relevant parts of the meeting. If you’ve put together a meeting agenda, this step will be easy. Be organized when taking notes. Make sure they are easy to refer to and understand. You can also use a proven meeting minutes app to up your game even more.
2. Practice active listening and summarization
Try to minimize distractions in order not to get side-tracked. A good way of doing this is honing your active listening skills. You can even blur your background in Zoom if that helps cut down on distractions.
Here’s another tip for taking Zoom notes: use abbreviations and symbols to jot things down quickly. Make sure you remember what each one stands for!
3. Use a template
Use a premade meeting template to better organize your notes. Templates have different sections that help you sort your meeting notes. For example, some templates have specific sections for meeting agendas, action points, concerns, blockers, etc.
Final Thoughts
Note-taking is an underrated skill. It has a direct impact on productivity, collaboration, and the outcome of your meetings. Aside from the standard note-taking tools, Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant offers a more streamlined and efficient solution to Zoom note taking. This AI notetaker for Zoom helps you save time and simplifies the entire process. It also has a direct impact on collaboration and team-work.
Add Krisp’s automated AI Meeting Assistant to your Zoom workflow, and feel the difference firsthand!
