RecBeamPart of Async video messaging
Use sync (live) communication for urgent, sensitive or highly interactive talks. Use async (recorded or written, answered later) for updates, explanations and feedback.
Definitions
Sync happens live: a call, a meeting, a quick chat. Async happens on each person's own time: a document, a message, a recorded video.
Which to choose
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Status update | Async |
| Explaining how something works | Async video |
| Design or code feedback | Async with annotations or a recording |
| Brainstorming with fast back-and-forth | Sync |
| Sensitive or emotional topic | Sync |
| Urgent incident | Sync |
Why video helps async
Text loses tone and context. A short screen recording with your voice shows what you mean, and the viewer can watch when it suits them. RecBeam adds transcripts, captions and search, so a recording can be skimmed, and viewers can react and comment under it.
How to start
- Pick one recurring meeting that is mostly updates and replace it with recorded updates.
- Record in Chrome and share the link. See how to send a video message.
- Agree how long people have to respond.
Learn more on the async video messaging page, or try async standups with video.
Questions
What is async communication?
Communication where the sender and the receiver do not need to be online at the same time, such as email, written updates or a recorded video message.
What is sync communication?
Live communication such as a meeting or a call, where everyone takes part at the same time.
Is async better?
Not always. It suits updates and explanations. Urgent or sensitive topics usually need a live conversation.