🎥 How to Create a Video Call

 

Understanding the Difference Between “Meetings” and “Chats”

Whether you’re connecting with family, friends, or coworkers, video calls are one of the easiest ways to stay in touch. But with so many options — Zoom, Teams, Webex, FaceTime, Facebook, and more — it’s easy to get confused about which one to use and how they differ.

This guide breaks down how to start a video call, what makes “meeting” platforms different from “on-demand” apps, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

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💡 Two Kinds of Video Calling Apps

Before diving into the “how,” it helps to understand the two main types of video calling tools:

1️⃣ Meeting Platforms (for scheduled or group sessions)

These tools are designed for planned meetings, classes, or business discussions.
They include features like invitations, screen sharing, chat, and waiting rooms.

✅ Examples:

• Zoom

• Microsoft Teams

• Google Meet

• Cisco Webex

You usually send out a meeting link or code, and others join at the scheduled time.

🕒 Think of these as “meeting rooms.” You can open the door for others to join, then close it when you’re done.

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2️⃣ On-Demand Video Apps (for instant, casual chats)

These are simpler tools built into social or messaging apps. They’re great for spontaneous conversations with people you already know.

✅ Examples:

• FaceTime (Apple devices)

• Google Duo / Meet (Android)

• Facebook Messenger Video

• WhatsApp Video Calls

You don’t schedule these — you just tap a person’s name and start a call.

💬 Think of these as “phone calls with video.” They’re instant, but limited to your contacts.

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🧭 How to Create a Video Call (Meeting Platforms)

Here’s a general guide — it works similarly in Zoom, Teams, and Webex:

🪜 Step 1: Open Your App

Download or open the platform you want to use:

• Zoom: zoom.us or the Zoom app

• Microsoft Teams: teams.microsoft.com or the desktop app

• Webex: webex.com or the Webex app

🪜 Step 2: Sign In or Continue as Guest

You’ll usually need to sign in with an account (Microsoft, Google, or company login).
Zoom and Webex also let you join as a guest if you don’t have an account.

🪜 Step 3: Create a New Meeting

Look for buttons labeled:

• “New Meeting”

• “Meet Now”

• “Start Meeting”

Your app will open your camera and microphone and generate a meeting link.

🪜 Step 4: Invite Others

Click “Invite” or “Copy Link” and send it via email, text, or chat.
Your guests can join by clicking the link — no need to download the app if using a browser.

🪜 Step 5: Manage the Call

Once everyone joins, you can:

• Mute/unmute your mic

• Turn video on/off

• Share your screen (for slides or photos)

• Chat with participants

• End meeting when done

💡 Tip: Most apps have a “Leave Meeting” or “End for All” button in the lower-right corner.

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📱 How to Start an On-Demand Video Call (Chat Apps)

If you’re just calling a friend or family member, these apps make it simple:

📞 FaceTime (Apple)

1. Open the FaceTime app or go to the Contacts app.

2. Tap the video camera icon next to the person’s name.

3. The call starts instantly — no meeting link needed.

📞 Google Duo / Google Meet

1. Open Google Meet (formerly Duo).

2. Tap New Call → Select Contact.

3. Tap the camera icon to start.

📞 Facebook Messenger / WhatsApp

1. Open the chat with your friend.

2. Tap the video camera icon.

3. The call starts right away.

🧩 These are great for one-on-one chats but aren’t designed for presentations or group meetings.

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🧠 Meeting Apps vs. Chat Apps: Quick Comparison

Feature	Zoom / Teams / Webex	FaceTime / Messenger / Duo
Purpose	Scheduled meetings, work, classes	Quick personal calls
How You Join	Link or meeting ID	Tap a contact name
Account Needed?	Usually yes	Uses phone or social account
Group Size	Up to hundreds	Usually 2–8 people
Features	Screen sharing, chat, recording, waiting rooms	Simple video and voice
Privacy	Controlled access (links, waiting rooms)	Direct contact calls only

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🧩 Which Should You Use?

• 💼 For meetings, interviews, or classes: Use Zoom, Teams, or Webex.

• 💬 For friends and family: Use FaceTime, Duo, or Messenger.

• 🧑‍💻 For both worlds: Google Meet bridges the gap nicely — simple and works for groups.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not testing audio/video first – Always check your mic and camera before joining.

• Using old meeting links – Each event needs a new or recurring link.

• Sharing links publicly – Keep meeting links private to avoid unwanted guests (“Zoombombing”).

• Forgetting time zones – When scheduling, check if participants are in different areas.

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🪄 Final Thought

Video calls have come a long way — they’re no longer just for tech experts or offices. Once you learn the basics, you can host meetings, chat with family, or take part in online events with just a few clicks.

Whether it’s a professional meeting or a quick hello, there’s a video tool that fits your needs perfectly.