50 ice breakers that can be done virtually

Find ice breakers that can be done virtually.  In both personal and professional life, you benefit from using them.  See how they support virtual online meetings, more specifically.

As a solopreneur, I’ve had various experiences.  I first learned and practiced at a public speaking club.  I was also given fast ice breakers for virtual meetings when working with brands as a blogger.

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Supports online interactions

Ice breakers to get to know each other can help anyone.  They also apply to many circumstances.  Getting a conversation started can be the hardest part, and the rest flows.

Networking is a crucial part of growing your connections.  Make use of an ice breaker to start a meeting or other event.  Whether you’re in a corporate job, work remotely, or are self-employed, use them.

In a nutshell, the technique prompts you to come out of your comfort zone.  You get at ease, introduce yourself and it gets the ball rolling.  This is crucial for many types of events. 

You must be setting goals.  To reach these goals, you often need to collaborate.  Building relationships is therefore a must.  Ask for and also provide mutual support when relevant for success.

Remote working company staff

It can be challenging to work in a virtual team.  Corporate employees tend to know each other.  However, it can still be necessary to prompt them to share their thoughts.

New employees might not know everyone.  Sometimes, huge corporations have staff based in various locations.  Some don’t yet know the others, so need to open up.

I’ve been in jobs before.  I’ve also had overseas calls.  Meeting people face-to-face is quite different.  Some of the perks of virtual meetings are time-saving and often more convenient.

Online networking and introductions

When you join summits or other online events, you network.  Find others to collaborate with.  Bloggers can find guest posting opportunities, for example.

I network mostly online.  Doing so suits my agenda.  However, meeting face-to-face can be more impactful.

Icebreakers that promote inclusion

Encourage members and attendees to introduce themselves.  Some tend to be shyer than others.  You gain from having a pool of ideas and opinions.

It’s crucial to include everyone.  It’s the whole point of inviting others.  Consider relevant points of view, although different and even opposing.

I wrote another article on online meetings.  It emphasizes productiveness, as many such events could be a waste of time.  Read more about productive virtual meetings. 

There are various types

Personal life.  Self-confidence is key in the world out there.  Think of when you were new at school.  You might have made efforts to find friends.

In relationships, you make use of introductions.  For example, while dating.  The whole point is getting to know each other.  Build genuine connections, meaningfully.

Professional life.  At university, you must have presented your first project.  You might have taken a job interview.  You must have been at networking events, both physical venues and online.

Want to learn more?

Join a guided project on Coursera

Leverage Icebreaker Tools to Run Inclusive Meetings in Miro

Ice breaker ideas for virtual meetings

There are a wide range of benefits.  You can use prompts in your personal and professional life.  I’ll start with general examples, and move to blogger-specific ideas.

Get-to-know-you:

1. Who am I?
2. Would you rather?
3. Show and tell
4. Two truths and a lie
5. Tell us a secret

Getting to know others is the first step.  Once you’ve introduced yourselves, the rest is easier.  It opens up a conversation.

Quick and easy:

1. Guess the emoji
2. Fun fact Friday
3. What did you do this weekend?
4. Your garden tour
5. Pet parade

Some activities are fun.  They’re easily accepted.  They can help participation more quickly.

Creative and thought-provoking:

1. Unsolved mystery
2. Your dream job 
3. Future headline
4. Time capsule
5. Build a utopia

Get participants thinking.  This brings up interesting ideas.  It’s also more challenging.

Collaborative activities:

1. Word chain
2. Photo scavenger hunt
3. Virtual Pictionary
4. Virtual escape room
5. Group story

You can have fun collaborating online, as in person.  There could be many things you can do from home, without being physically present.  For example, a photo scavenger hunt is perfect online.

More ideas:

1. Virtual cheers!
2. Poll trivia
3. Where are you located?
4. Quote of the day
5. Theme day
6. Thought-provoking challenge
7. Unbelievable facts 
8. Shared experiences
9. Your best experience 
10. Most despised experience 

There are endless ways to speak out.  Prompts encourage doing so.  I often notice webinar hosts asking attendees to post their locations in the comments.

For blogging activities:

1. Poll for the best option
2. Survey on a preferred choice
3. Biggest blogging fear
4. Blogging goals for this week
5. Blogging goals for this month
6. Blogging goals for this year
7. Biggest lesson you learned 
8. Currently, reading which book?
9. Currently, taking which online course?
10. Your favorite podcast
11. The blogger you admire most
12. The best part of being a blogger
13. Blog article heading challenge
14. Dream brand sponsorship
15. Dream house for goal-setting
16. Challenge to try a new format
17. Top niche FAQs
18. Your role model
19. What would you do differently if starting all over
20. Your best advice to a newbie

The activities are useful in many situations.  Adapt them to your needs.  You can even create your own, based on specific requirements.

Reasons for bloggers

There are many reasons why bloggers can embrace the listed ideas.  Encourage others to contribute to events.  Doing so is respectful, inclusive, productive, and brings more ideas.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons:

• Build genuine connections
• Virtual conference success rate
• Blogger networking opportunities
• Brand sponsorship discussions
• Coaching sessions with clients
• Gathering feedback to validate your course

I had some Zoom calls with brands.  One example was a group training session with other promoters.  The brand not only provided training but also wanted feedback from participants.

A second type of call I attended was a 1:1 meeting with a brand.  They wanted to see how we could work together.  The importance of opening up is crucial, and giving prompts to encourage is valuable.

Building a connection is crucial for trust.  The whole point of networking is knowing about each other.  For example, if you’re a coach, you have to get your client to speak.  If you sell products, talk to those on your email list when testing products for feedback.

When you get people on a call, webinar, or other event, make the most of it.  Time is precious, so make it productive and meaningful.  Support and encourage others to participate for the better. 

Conclusion

Enjoy connecting with others meaningfully.  Break barriers online, to optimize the benefits of online events.  Would you like to learn more?  Take the guided project I mentioned above in this very article (on leveraging icebreaker tools).  

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