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3 min read

Better Registration with Questions

One of the easiest ways to increase engagement and collect valuable insights before your event even begins is through your Zoom registration form. Too often, organizations treat registration as just “name and email capture.” But used wisely, registration questions can become a powerful tool for tailoring content, segmenting audiences, and setting your event up for success.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting it right:

1. Start With the Basics

When scheduling a meeting or webinar in Zoom, scroll down to the Registration section and check the 'Required'. This unlocks the ability to customize the form. Once your event is saved, go back to the event details page and click into the Registration Settings.

2. Use Standard Fields

Zoom gives you built-in options such as:

  • Job Title
  • Organization
  • Phone Number
  • Country/Region

You can mark these as required or optional. Just remember: fewer required fields usually mean more sign-ups.

3. Add Custom Questions

This is where you can really shape the experience. In the Custom Questions section:

  • Choose between short answer, single-choice, or multiple-choice.
  • Ask questions like: “What do you hope to learn?” or “How do you currently use Zoom?”
  • Make them required only if the information is essential.

4. Preview and Test

Always test your registration form before going live. Use the Preview feature, or submit a test registration yourself. Make sure responses show up properly in your Registration Reports (under Zoom’s Reports tab).

5. Best Practices

  • Think strategically: Only ask questions you’ll actually use.
  • Balance required vs optional: Too many mandatory fields discourage sign-ups.
  • Segment for follow-up: Multiple-choice responses can guide breakout assignments or future emails.
  • Ask engagement questions: These make registrants feel heard and help you shape your content.

Final Thought

Your Zoom registration form is more than a gatekeeper to your event — it’s your first chance to start a conversation. By asking smart questions, you can better understand your audience, customize your program, and even improve your post-event follow-up.

What I’m reading

I finished three books in August:

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan. This book jumped onto my list via the TED Radio Hour podcast (A guide to being brave in relationships). I loved it!

Robin by David Itzoff. This book took a circuitous route to my reading list. It began with the WTF Podcast with Marc Maron. His guest was Questlove. Questlove mentioned listening to Marc’s interview with Robin Williams more than a few times a year. I went back and listened again. Then I listened to Maron’s interview with Dave Itzkoff. I ordered the book on the Libby app while listening to the interview.

Nothing Personal by James Baldwin. Baldwin’s 101st birthday was August 2nd. Anytime is a good time to read (or reread Baldwin).

What’s on your reading list?

Podcasts That Engaged Me

One of my favorite ways to learn is by listening. Podcasts provide me with access to diverse perspectives that span politics, global news, music, creativity, and mindfulness. Last month, these shows caught my attention:

  • Letters from an American – Heather Cox Richardson’s daily reflections on history and democracy.
  • The World in Brief – a quick scan of global headlines that keeps me grounded in the bigger picture.
  • NPR Politics and It’s Just Politics – national and local politics, through sharp analysis and a bit of wit.
  • Left, Right & Center and Tangle – balanced debates that remind me how important it is to hear from across the spectrum.
  • Checks and Balance – The Economist’s lens on U.S. politics, with global context.
  • 10% Happier – a grounding pause with Dan Harris on mindfulness and living intentionally.
  • Today, Explained – Vox’s deep dives into the “why” behind the headlines.
  • TED Radio Hour – timeless ideas, reimagined for today’s challenges.
  • Shawn Stockman’s On That Note – music, creativity, and candid conversation from one of the best voices in R&B.
  • Sound School Podcast – for audio storytellers like me, it’s a goldmine of tips and inspiration.

Why this mix matters

Taken together, these shows form a pattern: they sharpen my awareness of politics and society, help me stay calm and intentional, and remind me to keep learning my craft as a storyteller. It’s not just about staying informed—it’s about connecting the dots between what’s happening in the world, how people are telling those stories, and how I can help others communicate with clarity and purpose.

A question for you

What’s in your podcast queue right now? I’d love to hear what’s keeping you informed, inspired, or entertained.

Feel free to share this newsletter with a friend struggling with virtual events. My company is Calm, Clear, Media. I produce purpose-driven virtual events for nonprofit organizations and their members. I don’t just manage Zoom calls; I create experiences that reflect your mission and engage your audience. My job is to ensure everything runs smoothly, so my clients can focus on making an impact.

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