We have translated those long, repetitive face-to-face meetings into endless Zoom calls in the digital workspace. Although they were a lifesaver when we were all scrambling to establish some sort of communication, it is vital that you revise your playbook and adopt tools that will lead to more engaging and productive communications.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of asynchronous video communication and introduce the best tools for the job.

Why Asynchronous Communication and Remote Work Are a Perfect Match

So, what’s the problem with the countless Zoom meetings you have attended? Or why does it suck so much productive time out of your day? The main issue with videoconference meetings is that they are synchronous; that is, they require attendees to be available at the same time.

This imposes several problems, most notably:

• You are forced to meet at a specific time, regardless of whether it is the best time for everyone, which can be a significant challenge for people working in different time zones.
• You waste a lot of time chit-chatting about topics irrelevant to the meeting.
• People tend to talk over each other, making it difficult to have a productive discussion.
• You often lack a clear meeting agenda.
• Spending more time in meetings means that you have less time to work.

On the other hand, asynchronous communication does not require everyone to be present at the same time, making it ideal for remote work, as people can send and receive messages at their convenience.

Some examples of asynchronous communication include email, Slack threads, recorded videos, voice notes, or any other type of message that you send without expecting an immediate response.

As you would guess, there are several asynchronous communication tools you can use for more productive remote meetings, but we will focus on video-first solutions as they:

• Offer a more personal touch that helps you build connection and trust (unlike bland text messages) without the “always-on” expectations of live videoconference meetings.
• Allow you to document your meetings to go back and refer to what was discussed, or send records to those who could not attend the meeting.
• Are perfect for explaining complex concepts more thoroughly, as you can use screen recordings or slides to highlight key points.
• Offer better planned and quality exchanges as you can have more time to think about what you want to say, unlike in real-time meetings where people tend to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

Assuming that you are now convinced of the benefits of asynchronous video tools for more productive remote meetings, let’s look at the best options.

The 4 Best Asynchronous Video Tools for More Productive Remote Work

1. Voodle

You have short-form video platforms like TikTok for entertainment, but what about an asynchronous video tool for better work relationships and collaborations?

Voodle is a short-form video work communication tool that lets you quickly create and share videos with your team or clients anywhere and any time without the need for live videoconferencing.

It is perfect for those quick updates, stand-ups, feedback sessions, or brainstorms, to name a few. Voodle has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to have one-on-one conversations, or share your videos with a group of colleagues or the public on other platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Slack, iMessage, and more.

You can use its dashboard to track and monitor the performance of your videos and see how much engagement they are getting.

Best of all, Voodle is available on both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to Voodle on the go.

Download: Voodle for Android | iOS (Free)

2. Volley

Volley is an easy-to-use video messaging platform for flexible communication at work. It overcomes the synchronous nature of live meetings by allowing you to speak in turns, with each turn being added to your timeline for others to watch at their convenience. This way, everyone can have their say without interruptions.

Do you want to have a feedback session with your colleagues? You can create a space for communication within your organization. Alternatively, you can create a network for conversations with customers (or anyone outside your space). Volley allows you to catch those non-verbal cues that you might miss in regular text communication, like body language and tone.

You can start sending Volleys to your team or clients as soon as you download the app and create your account.

Download: Volley for Android | iOS (free)

3. Loom

Have you ever had to type a long text message to provide feedback to your colleague, or struggled to find overlapping hours for a meeting with someone in a different time zone? If so, Loom can be your solution.

Loom is an asynchronous video messaging platform that lets you add a human touch to your presentations, feedback and training sessions, and more without the pain of scheduling live videoconferences.

With Loom, you can record your screen, webcam, or both simultaneously with just a few clicks. It provides you with drawing tools that let you highlight key points while recording. The app also allows you to edit your videos after recording to make them more polished.

You can then share your video on social media platforms through a link or invite teammates to your workspace to view your recordings.

Download: Loom for Android | iOS (free)

4. ZipMessage

ZIpMessage is a video communication tool that you can use for asynchronous team and client meetings, allowing you to escape Zoom fatigue.

It is a practical tool that allows you to build better relationships with your colleagues and clients without live videoconferencing. You can use this tool to record your screen, mic, and camera and send them to your recipients through a link, which they can use to watch and reply from their browsers without signing up.

ZipMessage keeps all your conversations on one page to make it easy to follow up, and also lets you turn messages of your choice into re-usable templates to save time.

Download: ZipMessage for Chrome (Free)

Join the Asynchronous Communication Revolution

Async video communication tools are gaining popularity as they offer a more flexible way to communicate in distributed workplaces. These tools help you avoid meeting overload and have more productive conversations with colleagues and clients.

You can join the async work bandwagon to increase productivity and improve your work-life balance.