Sara knows some things about marketing, has 3 cats, loves to go for hikes and organize things by color!

Virtual communication might not be new to you. But sometimes, people and groups might need a little push to get the conversation going. It’s normal. But how?

One word: Icebreakers! There are virtual icebreakers for every occasion: team building icebreakers, icebreakers for meetings, icebreaker games for virtual interactions, icebreakers for students, icebreakers for dating, etc! In this article, we are focusing on remote team-building icebreaker questions. ✨

Remember, icebreaker questions and games are not just for 

. If you want to create social and work dynamics that are productive, cohesive, and that feels safe, you will need to have lots of entertaining icebreakers up your sleeve.

All communities, regardless of how formal they are, benefit from more casual moments and off-topic/off-the-cuff conversations. And when we say “

” keep in mind that communities come in all shapes and sizes. It can be a classroom, a work team, a book club, a community of animal lovers, a community of community managers, whatever!

If you are like us we bet that the first thing that comes to your mind is 

. (Click it! you won’t regret it, we promise!) Now that you got some 

in you let’s move on. Ice breakers are activities or conversations that are aimed towards reducing awkwardness and anxiety between people or among members of a group. Virtual ice breakers, on the other hand, are activities and conversational topics for online and virtual interactions and ecosystems.

Remote team-building icebreaker questions

Lots of companies have in-person team-building activities. But if like us at Toucan, your team works mostly remotely, icebreaker moments 

 your team members form valuable bonds. And people that feel more comfortable around each other will naturally cooperate better. Win-win!

The sense of community doesn’t necessarily come from playing ping pong in the office, challenging each other to games on the PlayStation, or having an office kitchen, it takes some effort to get it off the ground. And making that investment in a virtual community is not difficult, it just takes dedication. The opportunities for conversation and community building are endless but 

here are a few of our favorite virtual ice breakers for remote teams:

- If you could choose, what mundane superpower would you have?

- If you could live in any sitcom universe, which would it be?

- Show something that's on your desk and tell a story about it!

- Did you have any imaginary friends when you were growing up?

- What is a trait that you have picked up from your parents?

- What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

- What was the last movie you watched that made you cry?

- Describe your setup for the perfect nap.

- If you were running for president, what would your campaign slogan be?

- What's your favorite place to go on vacation?

- The zombie apocalypse is coming - who are the 3 people you want on your team?

- What would you want to do if you retired today?

- What is something that takes a lot of time, but is definitely worth it?

- If you were in the wrestling ring, who would be your opponent?

- Do you have any guilty pleasure shows that you watch?

- If you could choose your own nickname, what would it be and why?

- What food do you love that others typically do not?

- What is your favorite physical activity?

- What would the title of your autobiography be?

- Who in your life inspires you the most?

- You have two minutes to give a speech on anything! What would your topic be?

- What is something that you feel proud of this week?

- If you could live the life of any historical figure, who would you choose?

- Have you ever left a 1-star review online?

- What is a common thing that you have never done? Fly in an airplane, change a tire, etc.

- If you were featured on the news, what would the reason most likely be?

- What smell do you hate that others seem to like?

Icebreaker questions might sound boring (or scary) sometimes - but they really don’t have to be. When these are properly executed they can help with team anxiety a lot.

But we get it, it is hard to do rounds of icebreaker questions on virtual meeting platforms. But it doesn’t have to be. On Toucan, you can get the real-life feeling. Everyone can move among various groups, just like you would in real life. You can 

 react to other people's answers. And you will always know what order you are in in the circle (which often doesn’t happen on other video platforms). Truth is, if you use the right tools, you will nail any kind of virtual event or activity!

🙋 Volunteer to go first - you gave the idea so you better move forward with it!

🏁 Get the ball rolling with easy questions so you can let people get comfortable.

🧊 No amount of icebreakers is too many - they’re great to have as a backup, too.

🫂 If you have a bigger team, try to split into smaller groups. This will make people feel more open to sharing.

🖥️ If you are on Toucan, make sure you use all the features you can to make the experience flow even better.

Now that you have a good repertoire of virtual icebreaker questions, you have no excuse for having awkward silence on your video calls. Remember, make every moment and connection count! You can always come back to this blog post or have it open in the background. And if you have any ideas that you would like to share with us, just send us an email.

Virtual communication might not be new to you. But sometimes, people and groups might need a little push to get the conversation going. It’s normal. But how? One word: Icebreakers! 

virtual team-building icebreaker questions

Virtual team-building icebreaker questions

Virtual networking will only be as successful as you are motivated and committed. Online networking can be as good as in-person, but only if you put in the necessary work (just think about how much work goes into putting on an in-person event 😳). The more prepared you are, the better results you are going to get.

Read along and prepare yourself to create meaningful connections at your next online networking gathering.

 are the future. We mean it. They’re not going to replace all the stuff that we do in person, but they open up so many possibilities to connect with people we would never have met previously. They’re a game-changer for professional networking, in particular, because you have access to anyone around the world. That’s the benefit of being 

How to make the most out of an online networking event

Make sure you share a bit about who you are!

People won’t be able to connect and network with you if they don’t know who you are and do. If you share your company, role, interests, etc., then like-minded people at an event can find you and immediately know what to talk to you about.

This tip depends on the software you’re using for the virtual networking event. One cool thing about Toucan is that everyone has a profile, which we call

. Here, you can write a bio for yourself and share links to your social media accounts. That way, people can look into who you are before your chat, and you can easily follow up with them afterwards.

If you’re a Toucan user, make sure you fill out your profile! If you don’t, that’s a missed opportunity. Virtual events only last a couple of hours so you might not get the chance to meet everyone. That’s why social media links, emails, and website links are so important!

We mentioned before how important it is to have your social media accounts linked to your profile. But now we want to mention another bright side of 

Post about any online events you’re hosting or attending on 

! And do this sooner rather than later. Create a short post mentioning the networking event that you will be attending, tag the organizer, and show how excited you are. That way, you expose the event to more people. The more people hear about it, the more people you can connect and network with.

Don’t forget that an online virtual networking event doesn’t end when you log off or close your laptop. Let us explain. After the event, it’s important to express how well things went for you. And the best way to do so is by posting about it on social media. It could also be a good idea to tag people you attended with or enjoyed meeting! That way, you maintain a touchpoint with all those people and the organizers.

If you have the ability to check an attendee list for your event, you’ve hit the virtual event jackpot. It’s so easy to use that to your advantage, looking up the other attendees and figuring out what they might like to talk about. If you do this, you’ll connect with people on a deeper level, and you’ll figure out who’s most beneficial for you to talk to during the limited time.

If this is not possible, try at least to find out more information about the speakers and hosts. That’s also a pretty good first step towards a successful virtual networking event.

Good manners and etiquette aren’t only for in-person networking events, they are also a big part of virtual networking and interactions. On Toucan, you can literally say hello and wave at everyone at the same time or at a specific person. But this is not enough - go the extra mile and introduce yourself to people. Of course, without interrupting any conversations.

A funny introduction is the perfect ice-breaker and can help you leave a good impression on others. Get out there, say your name, what you do, and what you love. And remember to smile and to enjoy every second of it!

If you want to get noticed, participate actively. And make sure that what you share is both relevant and appropriate.

If you happen to speak at the right time, you might be opening doors to new conversations and opportunities for collaboration and networking for the future.  If there are breakout sessions and different areas for various conversation topics, make sure you participate and engage in them. What is great about Toucan is how you can easily move from Meeting Spot to Meeting Spot. And you can see what everyone else is doing and who is engaging with whom.

Our tip is: don’t overdo your comments. Give others the chance to speak and try to make everyone feel listened to. Sometimes it can be hard to be heard and to know when to speak, that’s why a 

 comes really in hand - it is actually one of our favorite features on Toucan. It sets the tone for people to behave in a more friendly way, and it puts everybody on a more even playing field in the conversation - particularly if you are a bit on the quieter side.

At virtual events, you have opportunities for increased engagement that you wouldn’t have in in-person events - so make sure that you make use of them! Use messaging to your advantage - both private and public. You can do that online in a way that you can’t in-person; you wouldn’t whip out your phone and text someone in your group if you were at a cocktail party!

Always make sure that you start meaningful conversations, participate in ongoing discussions, and share your thoughts and ideas. After all, that’s what networking events are all about.

Make sure that you are not only focused on yourself. Networking events are great for you, and your goal is probably to expand your network. But remember to help others whenever possible. It might be the case that you could facilitate a really beneficial introduction. By doing so, you will truly be creating and nurturing a sense of community.

If you really connected and got along with someone, make sure that you take the time to send them an email or DM via social media after your virtual networking event. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from them right away - in these cases, we always recommend that you follow up a few days later. We all get busy and forget to respond sometimes, right?

If you got along well with someone and would like to stay in touch in the future, say that outright. It is easier than we think to keep these connections going. It can be a message every month, a comment on social media, or even an invite for a virtual catch-up.

Professional relationships are as important and important to nurture as personal ones. If we don’t take care of them, they will slip away.

It is your turn now: host your virtual networking event

, you might feel inclined to host your own. This way, you will be able to learn from your experience, tailor the agenda and guest list to your vision, and make sure that you make the best connections that you possibly can.

When you’re ready to go from attending to hosting, we can certainly help you. Our 

 are standing by with a ton of advice to help you get your event off the ground. We also have 

 on Toucan with some regularity, which can be a great opportunity for you to get in touch with us and ask us any questions you might have. And as a last resort, our 

 because they bring so many benefits on personal, organizational, and professional levels. Plus, you get to meet people all over the world from the comfort of your own home!

We hope this piece helps you build more powerful connections during your next virtual networking event. And please know that we’re always here to help you host your events and make them 

Online networking can be as good as in-person, but only if you put in the necessary work. (Just think about how much work goes into putting on an in-person event. 😳) The more prepared you are, the better results you are going to get. Read along and prepare yourself to create meaningful connections at your next online networking gathering. 

Online networking events: The ultimate guide

Do you feel emotionally and physically drained after a few video calls? You’ve been staring at people in dark boxes on your screen 

, and nothing ever changes? Do you feel that pulsing feeling in your head, and your eyes feel glazed? You’re probably suffering from what’s now commonly known as “Zoom fatigue.”

have to live like this. We’re offering you some tips on how to combat Zoom fatigue and approach video calls with a smile.

Probably! Chances are that if you stumble upon this, you’re not feeling quite well 😫. 

 was named after - surprise, surprise - Zoom, and it refers to the exhaustion that people feel after participating in multiple traditional video calls. For those who have always worked remotely, this phenomenon isn’t new. But for those whose lives went virtual after COVID-19, Zoom fatigue hit hard. Though it may not be an official medical term, it is very real.

But wait, it doesn’t only happen on Zoom!

It may be called “Zoom fatigue” but it can take place on any traditional video conferencing platform: Skype, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Whereby, BlueJeans, Webex, you name it. That’s because it’s associated with back-to-back, stiff, productivity-driven work meetings. And it spills over into more social video calls as well when those “social” calls are hosted in the 

That’s why we committed from the very outset of Toucan to create a place that’s built specifically for fluid networking - to be the antithesis of those boxy video platforms. And using principles of social psychology, we’ve incorporated features that make our users 

What’s up with video calls that make us feel this way?

It is a combination of four factors according to researchers at 

In in-person interactions, you aren’t constantly making eye contact with others. You’re free to look around the room, take notes, etc. On video calls, we’re always looking at the screen and making eye contact with others. Moreover, the size of our faces on the screen makes our brains interpret these situations as intense, due to their “closeness,” which makes us feel like we’re constantly being watched. 👀

Keeping your camera on requires people to stay still for unnaturally long periods. By restricting ourselves to that stiff rectangle we are limiting our capacity to think and speak freely. That’s why on Toucan we don’t go for the standard square and rectangle frames - our round bubbles make everything feel less stiff and show that we’re not taking ourselves too seriously. And the way that you’re able to move from group to group makes you feel freer. And freedom boosts creativity!

Constantly being on calls looking at yourself is the equivalent of walking around all day with a mirror in real life. It’s not natural. That’s why we built the “hide self-view'' feature. You can elect to not see yourself on Toucan calls, while others still see you just the same. This makes some people feel less self-conscious and more open to just enjoying everyone else’s company.

Cognitive Load refers to the amount of thought we need to put into a task - even the most mundane ones 🧠. On traditional video calls, we cannot rely on nonverbal cues, and those are super important in social interactions. So this forces us to exaggerate our reactions and work much harder to understand others. In contrast, we want our users to be able to express emotions and utilize more real-life “signs,” like raising your hand to talk, clapping, even sending some virtual love.

Goodbye Zoom Fatigue 👋 - extra tips from our team

We have a handful of tips to share with you. Most importantly, you need to find the right video environment to suit your needs. You might not want to shift away from the platform you’ve been using 

 at first, but it’s so important for us as humans to try new things and get a little change of scenery. There are plenty of options in the market - it doesn’t even have to be Toucan if you find another technology that works better for your meeting type. Think about it; we promise you’ll notice some serious health benefits.

 🤹- It requires extra mental energy and it may reduce the quality of your work. Put your phone away and close some of those 1000000 tabs (don’t worry - we’re all guilty of that!).

 ⏰- Take a moment, relax, get up, go get some tea, cuddle your pet, make a snack…

 ⏳- You probably rolled your eyes when we told you that you needed to take more breaks (and might be doing it again🙄). But if the struggle to find time for yourself is real, schedule breaks in your calendar. This can be for your team to see or even just for yourself, you pick.

 ⚡-  If you are used to taking video calls in your bedroom, try switching to the living room; sit in the kitchen; go to a café; meet friends at their houses. Or if those aren’t accessible for you, create different “at work” playlists and redecorate your desk. There’s so much we can do!

Do you feel emotionally and physically drained after a few video calls? You’re probably suffering from what’s now commonly known as “Zoom fatigue.”    The good news is that you don’t have to live like this. We’re offering you some tips on how to combat Zoom fatigue and approach video calls with a smile.

How-not-to Guide:  Zoom Fatigue

Antonia Hellman is co-founder and CEO of Toucan.

She is a recent graduate of Stanford University, having studied political science and economics.

She enjoys long walks to explore new cities, listening to audiobooks on 1.2x speed, a cup of hot water, and re-watching mediocre movies.

We have heard time and time again that what makes Toucan truly special is the way that people are able to connect with each other. Sure, this year has been difficult and lonely, but among the Toucan team and our users, we have seen something else.

The reason we built Toucan in the first place was to foster relationships and friendships among people regardless of where they are in the world. We wanted to create a comfortable place for networking and meeting new people that were not constrained by geography. After over a year, we’ve learned a lot that we’d like to share with you. Here are a few tips from our team and Superhosts on how to host a successful networking event.

It’s always great to have a theme or something that ties the people you’re inviting together. That gives anyone an automatic jumping-off point for conversations. If you are part of a 

, LinkedIn group, or organization, just create a Toucan event and send the link out to the other members. That way, your attendees have something in common.

, allows you to give yourself a short bio, share your website, and link your social media accounts. When anybody hovers over your icon or video, a small card will pop up. If they click your name or the “i” icon next to it, they will see all that information. This helps you introduce yourself to other attendees. It also makes it very easy to connect with others on social media and follow up after the event is over.

3. Create a “Start Here” Meeting Spot in your event space.

For people that are new to Toucan, it’s nice to have a 

 that indicates where they could gather to meet new people. The “Start Here” spot serves a dual purpose: it helps teach new users how the platform works (click & move to join/leave a group), and it gets the networking flowing from the get-go. I’ve had so many great conversations with interesting people that I otherwise may not have met in the “Start Here” spot. And once I single out some people that I’d like to chat with more, I just ask them to break off and form our own group. It’s that easy.

As the host of the event, you are the common thread that ties everyone together. You are the one that brought them to that space, so it’s really nice when the host gets up and says a few words. It doesn’t have to be long at all, just a short greeting message. Click the orange “Present” button at the bottom of your screen and select either 

(your face will be smaller and at the top of everybody’s screen) or 

(your face will be large and in the middle of the screen). Say a quick hello to your attendees, mention any special guests, give a toast, explain the basics of how to use Toucan, and/or give an overview of the event. It’s up to you!

From my experience, it’s just great for everybody to interact in some way with the host of the event, and 

 makes your attendees feel as though they get that moment with you.

Ever wonder how to host a successful virtual networking event? Toucan's CEO, has written up a how-to for your networking event. 

Virtual Networking on Toucan Events

One thing that this past year has taught us is that virtually anything can be done online. That’s right, even networking. That’s why we’ve put together online networking event tips to guide you through your first event.

At Toucan, we’ve seen time and time again that if you get it right, online networking events can be hugely successful.

. Our tip to you is to use your strongest channels, whether this be emails, Facebook, Linkedin, or Instagram.

Telling your existing network that you are hosting the event encourages sign ups. Also, it increases the chances that they will tell their friends about the event. So don’t forget to distribute an event link that they can share.

: Publicize post-event as well. A successful event can lead to great content, connections, and new community members.

The more purpose-driven your networking event is, the more likely it is to succeed! This applies to picking out the right event name, the description, and the wording you choose when you publicize it.

. No one’s going to stop and notice a long event name on their timeline. But they will click on it if it catches their eye and has a purpose that interests them.

An important lesson I’ve learned with online events is never to assume that people have all the information they need.

Firstly, make sure your guests know how to set up an account on the platform where the event will be hosted. For Toucan, we send the newest members of our Flock to the 

 page. These types of guides should also be accessible for the online location of your choice.

Secondly, send your guests any other relevant information for your specific online networking event. This can be any number of things, whether it’s adding their Linkedin, or filling out an ‘About Me’ card, the more prepared your guests feel, the more they’ll enjoy the event! Trust us, we learned this during our 

This is key. The last thing you want is people showing up and leaving after 10 minutes. To keep it engaging, plan ahead. Have a schedule of 

 throughout the event.  For example, after 20 minutes, make an announcement for everyone to join a new group to meet other members!

Speed online networking events - who would have thought this was the future?!

Check-in with your guests! The best thing you can do is learn from your events. Find out what everyone loved and what they would have wanted more of from the online networking event.

This is a great opportunity to connect with your community and establish a dialogue.

There you go, five tips for your first online networking event. The main thing is to enjoy it. If you do, then so will your guests! Follow these easy steps and you’ll be a pro in no time. Good luck ☘️

Are you thinking about hosting your first online networking event and don't know where to start? Have a look at our 5 tips to set you up for success!

5 Tips to Host Your Online Networking Event

Getting up and presenting in front of a bunch of people can be tricky. It takes initiative and confidence, both of which can be difficult to muster sometimes. Let us help you out with a few tips and tricks to master getting up “on stage” virtually and speaking in front of a group.

When speaking in front of any group - virtual or in-person -, it all comes down to your ability to keep the audience engaged. And we know that that’s easier said than done. On top of that, you have to keep in mind that speaking in front of a crowd virtually takes a few different skills and strategies than speaking when the audience is physically right in front of you.

Let’s be honest, virtual events have become so popular in the last few years. This is, in large part, because of COVID, but it’s also a trend that we’ve been seeing for a long time. And there are so many opportunities to speak at online events and have your message reach far more people than it would be the event in-person - we’re talking orders of magnitude, here. The problem is, looking at a screen can be so damn boring! But it 

It’s so easy to have a boring, cookie-cutter event with a boring, cookie-cutter presentation. Think outside the box! Even the smallest bit of effort put into considering creative alternatives will go a long way, especially with your attendees/audience members.

Icebreakers are activities, games, or questions that help make everyone feel more welcome. A virtual presentation will only be as effective as the level of engagement you can get out of your audience, so make sure that you prioritize making sure everyone feels really comfortable beforehand.

Everyone loves a good story. People bond over stories, they make you more relatable. So when you’re getting up and talking in front of everyone, feel free to toss one in. That’ll help your audience get into the right mindset and make your point resonate more.

Make as much eye contact with your camera as possible. It might feel strange at first, but it will make people feel as if you’re looking at them. If you can, put your camera at eye level.

When you’re presenting, try throwing in some polls and quizzes! People love these because they’re entertaining and hyper-engaging. Some game inspiration: 

, theme-based yes or no questions, riddles, surveys.

Nobody likes long presentations that are longer than they have to be. People have tons of distractions at their fingertips, so you’re competing to keep their attention. If you’re showing slides during your talk, make sure they’re structured, have as little text as possible, and include infographics.

You need to have a punch line in every sentence, but you should keep in mind that humor is an incredibly powerful tool. People remember the people and the jokes that made them laugh, so it’s a great way to make a real impression. Write jokes beforehand, or play off your audience. And if improv isn’t your strong suit, try using funny gifs or memes! Just make sure to keep your jokes appropriate for your audience.

It can be a dialogue! Take breaks so that people can ask questions. Or try to involve the audience by asking for their opinions and suggestions.

Everyone loves a good surprise. Why not save one (or a few) to your virtual presentation? It can be a surprise guest, a gift, or new information about a product, service, or event; whatever makes sense for the context. Surprising your audience will keep them hooked and wanting more.

Virtual Networking and Presentations

Be the first to hear about new tips, tricks, and updates each week.

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Virtual Networking and Presentations

Be the first to hear about new tips, tricks, and updates each week.

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