---
title: How to Use a Zoom Meeting for a Virtual Event in AnywhereSeat
slug: how-to-use-a-zoom-meeting-for-a-virtual-event-in-anywhereseat
docTags: 
createdAt: 2023-11-01T20:37:35.429Z
---

In this tutorial, we'll go over the benefits, limitations, and cool features Zoom has to offer when using it for a virtual event.

First, Zoom offers a number of tools. Zoom Meetings is their default/basic tool for hosting a virtual meeting. It's free for up to 40 minutes with 100 participants. Zoom Webinar is a more advanced option meant for presenting to attendees, but it costs money and isn't strictly needed for a virtual event unless you plan on having hundreds of attendees at once. For this, we'll focus on Zoom Meetings.

# Schedule your Zoom Meeting in Zoom

Log in to your Zoom account and click the **Schedule a Meeting** button. First, you'll enter the basic information like event name and time.

For **Meeting ID**, leave it at "Generate Automatically."

For **Video**, you can set it to "On" for Host but leave it to "Off" for Participant.

For **Meeting Options**:

- Check "Enable join before host"
- Check "Mute participants upon entry"
- Uncheck "Enable waiting room."
- Check or uncheck "Record the meeting automatically on the local computer," depending on your preference.

# Add your event to AnywhereSeat

If you haven't done so already, add your event to AnywhereSeat using the **+ Add Event** button. If you already have, you can click the **Options** button next to your event and select **Edit** in the dropdown.

Under "Other" as your event type, choose **Zoom** and insert your **Invite Link. **It'll look something like this: [https://zoom.us/j/9763573831305?pwd=YWF1eFMyVUhvNDhubjQwyd8dmJ4ZDltdz09](https://zoom.us/j/9763573831305?pwd=YWF1eFMyVUhvNDhubjQwyd8dmJ4ZDltdz09)

Now, when patrons buy tickets to your event, they'll be directed to Zoom and will automatically enter your Meeting without entering a Meeting ID or Password.

# Hosting your Zoom Meeting

Be sure to log on a few minutes before the event to ensure everything is working on your end. If you have a co-host, ensure they join early as well! On the Basic Zoom account option, you have 40 minutes total for your meeting, so use your time wisely — the timer starts when your meeting initiates. 

If you'd like to do a test Meeting, we recommend creating a separate Zoom Meeting and playing around with Zoom features / following this tutorial well in advance, so you don't run into last-minute questions/issues.

**Setting your co-host**

If you have a co-host for your event, be sure to set them as a co-host so they can share their screen and do other things. To do this:

1. Pull up the Participants screen
2. Click the **More **button next to the participant you'd like to make a co-host
3. Select Make Co-Host in the dropdown.

**Restrict what your participants (patrons) can do**

To ensure a smooth event without a patron accidentally unmuting themselves or sharing their screen, you'll want to turn off a few options.

Click the **Security** button in the bottom bar of your Zoom Meeting (ensure you have the latest Zoom installed).

You will want to **uncheck**:

- Lock meeting
- Enable Waiting Room (so you don't have to worry about manually letting late patrons in during the event)
- Share screen
- Unmute themselves

**Ensure screen sharing is limited to hosts**

You'll want to ensure your patrons can't start sharing their screens during your event. Here's how to prevent this:

Click the up arrow next to the green "Share Screen" button in the bottom bar. In the menu, select **Advanced sharing options**.

A pop-up will appear: Ensure the "Who can share?" is set to **Only Host**.

That's all you should need to get started! Zoom has an extensive list of features; you can dig into their documentation and help for a more robust explanation of what you're able to do with their platform.