Let’s connect on Google Hangout! Video chats on Google Hangout are my new preferred way to meet. A live Hangout is way better than the other options: In-person meetings only work for locals and phone calls don’t allow us to see each other face-to-face. Note: Hangouts work best in Google’s Chrome browser.

The only issue with Hangouts so far is that joining a Hangout for the first time can be confusing. I’ve written out a short guide on how to join a Google Hangout to explain the more confusing steps of the process so your first Hangout experience is smooth sailing.

First, RSVP to the Hangout (You must be logged into your Google account)

Whenever I schedule a Google Hangout, I create an event page in Google that contains event information and an RSVP area. To find the event page, log into Google and visit the INQUARTA Google+ page. Scroll down and find “Their Upcoming Events.” Find the event and click “Yes” in the “Going?” box.

Now that you’re RSVP’d to the event, you’ll receive an email reminder the day before and the day of the event. You definitely want to receive the email reminders because they remind you that the event is happening (duh) and give you an easy way to join the Hangout.

At the Hangout start time, open the reminder email and click “Hangouts”

Clicking “Hangouts” in the reminder email right around the time the event is scheduled to start will launch the Hangouts. Make sure to turn your webcam on!

Or, go to the Event page and click “Hangouts”

The second way to join the Hangout is to visit the Event page and click “Hangouts.” This will launch the Hangout. Be ready! We’ll all see your smiling face as soon as you join.

Some other tricky “Gotchas” to be aware of

• To join an Event or a Hangout, you have to be signed into your Google account
• You can only be in one Hangout at a time, so if you’re already in a Hangout when my Hangout begins, you might run into problems
• You must use the Chrome browser.

That’s it! Come to my next Hangout and try it out. If you ever have any issues I’m only an email (or a Hangout) away.