Zoom For Dummies is the definitive guide on the über-popular suite of collaboration tools that is keeping more than 300 million people connected in unprecedented times and transforming how they work.
About Zoom For Dummies ℹ️
A brief summary of the book.
Publication date: July 22, 2020
Publisher: Wiley
Pages: 400
Formats: Paperback, eBook, and audiobook (arrives October 27, 2020).
Translations: German and Dutch. French version arrives in March of 2021. Queue Bill Murray line.
For years, holding a videoconference or sharing your screen with a colleague was maddening. We could put a man on the moon, but we couldn’t seem to get videoconferencing and basic collaboration right.
At least until now.
— Phil Simon #BLM (@philsimon) July 25, 2020
More than 300 million people have seen the light in the form of Zoom, the world’s hottest suite of collaboration tools. Zoom For Dummies shows you how to get the most out of Zoom. Discover how to hold group video calls, install time-saving apps, engage your audience with interactive webinars, dramatically improve the way that you communicate and collaborate with your colleagues, and much more.
Specific topics include:
- Create a group video call
- Easily share your screen
- Collaborate with others in real time
- Record calls for future use
- Make life easier with third-party apps
- Secure Zoom from prying eyes
- Hold interactive webinars
- Integrate Zoom with popular third-party apps
- Learn about Zoom’s lesser-known products, such as Zoom Phone, Zoom Rooms, and more
If the following SNL skit below hits all too close to home, then Zoom For Dummies is for you.
Book Trailer
A quick and hopefully funny overview of the book.
Related Blog Posts
Short- and long-form musings on the book, the tool, and the problems they both solve.
Excerpts
57 pages of Zoomy goodness from the new book and a two-minute audiobook sample.
FAQ
Is Zoom For Dummies just about how to hold meetings?
No, the book covers all of the tools in the Zoom suite. The longest chapter in the book focuses on Zoom meetings, but there’s plenty of non-meetings material in Zoom For Dummies. As you’ll learn, Zoom is a robust suite of tools. Meetings is just one aspect of the Zoom offering.
I enjoyed the book. Do you offer Zoom training for organizations?
Yes.
How does Zoom For Dummies differ from the other Zoom books out there?
Well, I haven’t read all of them, but I can say the following without fear of accurate contradiction. First, Zoom For Dummies is far more comprehensive than those texts. Some of them come in at a mere 80 pages. Second, my book reflects the most current state of Zoom’s tools. Again, other books on the topic are at least several years old.
Do with that information what you wish.
I already use Zoom. Would the book benefit me?
I’m biased here, but the answer is yes, yes yes! Odds are that you’re not familiar with every Zoom feature, option, and setting. I’d be astonished if experienced users don’t learn a great deal from Zoom For Dummies.
Does the book reflect Zoom's latest security changes?
Yes. I specifically wrote the meetings and security chapters towards the end of the writing process to ensure that the book would be as accurate as possible upon release.
Is the book geared towards regular users, admins, or developers?
As I’ve said many times, when you try to write a book for everyone, then you write a book for no one. In the case of Zoom For Dummies, I focus on the first two constituencies. At a few points, I mention resources for developers. Still, those who want to build their own third-party apps will have to look elsewhere.
Were Zoom employees involved in the writing of the book?
Yes. I shared early versions of key chapters with senior Zoom folks. In some cases, they clarified points that I could have made clearer. Make no mistake: This feedback was invaluable in the end.
Can I find it in bookstores?
Depends on the store.
Is the book selling well?
Yes. In April of 2021, the book passed the 10,000-sale mark.
Of course, this only includes paperbacks sold in the U.S. Counting the other versions and foreign translations, I suspect that total sales exceed 25,000. If you think that this is easy, think again. Esitmates vary, but I’ve heard from multiple sources that the average traditionally published non-fiction book sells about 250-300 copies in its first year.
Reviews
What readers are saying about the Zoom For Dummies.
You can’t make everyone happy, but reviews are largely positive:
As expected with books that sell a decent number of copies, some of the reviews are downright priceless. This is probably my favorite non-review review:
#SMH #WriterLife
Tips & Resources
Getting the most out of Zoom.
Press
Articles, interviews, AMAs, and more.
Ron Charles of CBS Sunday Morning and The Washington Post fame spoke to me about the book
CBS News piece: Santa adjusts to new normal of coronavirus pandemic
I appear on The Virtual Excellence Show with @rossdawson talking about Zoom and Slack.
Need a quote or want to do an interview?
Errata
Known issues with the first printing of the book.
Updated: August 27, 2020
We should be able to get these fixed in the book’s fourth printing.