Meetings can be a colossal waste of time—or they can actually get things done. The difference usually comes down to the agenda. If you’re using Goodmeetings, you’ve already got better tools than most for keeping meetings on track. But even the best software can’t save you from a vague, bloated, or ignored agenda. This guide is for anyone who’s tired of pointless meetings and wants to run sessions that actually work.
Below, I’ll walk you through crafting and sharing an agenda in Goodmeetings that’s clear, actionable, and actually gets read. I’ll also call out which features are worth your time, what you can skip, and a few real-world tips that aren’t in the product manual.
1. Know what makes a good agenda (and why most stink)
Before you even open Goodmeetings, get clear on what an agenda is supposed to do. A good agenda:
- Tells people why the meeting exists
- Lists topics in a logical order
- Says who’s leading each topic (if not you)
- Shows how much time you’ll spend on each part
- Makes it clear what decisions or outcomes you want
Here’s what doesn’t work:
- Agendas that are just “Discuss project” or “Team check-in”—they don’t help anyone prepare.
- Laundry lists of topics with no order or time limits—these guarantee you’ll run out the clock and get nothing done.
- Agendas that only live in someone’s head—nobody else can follow along, so the meeting drifts.
If you can’t easily say what the meeting is for, cancel it—or at least, go back and figure it out before you drag everyone in.
2. Set up your meeting in Goodmeetings
Assuming you’ve got a Goodmeetings account and your team is on board, here’s how to get started:
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Create a new meeting.
Log in, hit “New Meeting,” and fill in the basics: date, time, invitees. Don’t overthink it. -
Name your meeting clearly.
“Weekly Marketing Sync” or “Q2 Budget Decisions” beats “Meeting with Team.” It helps people know what they’re walking into. -
Add a meeting description (optional, but helpful).
If you need to set context—like “We’re finalizing the launch plan”—put it here. Keep it short.
Pro tip: Don’t invite everyone “just in case.” Only add folks who really need to be there. Goodmeetings will send invites and reminders—don’t annoy people who have no stake.
3. Build your agenda in Goodmeetings: step by step
Now for the meat of it.
Step 1: Start with the goal
Every agenda should start with the “why.”
Add a one-liner at the top: “Goal: Decide on Q2 marketing priorities.” If Goodmeetings has a “Meeting Objective” field, use it. If not, just type it in at the top of your agenda.
Step 2: List topics as focused items
Use Goodmeetings’ agenda builder to add each topic as a separate item. For each one:
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Be specific.
Instead of “Website update,” use “Review homepage redesign mockups.” -
Add an owner.
Assign who’s leading each topic. If Goodmeetings lets you tag or assign, do it. Otherwise, just write “(Jane)” after the topic. -
Set a time limit.
This is the only way to keep things moving. Be realistic—5-10 minutes for updates, longer for decisions.
Example:
- Review homepage redesign mockups (Jane) — 10 min
- Decide on Q2 campaign priorities (All) — 15 min
- Open Q&A (Any) — 5 min
Don’t cram in too much. If your agenda is longer than 5-6 items, you’re probably trying to do too much in one meeting.
Step 3: Attach supporting docs (sparingly)
Goodmeetings lets you attach files, links, or notes. Use this for things people need to review ahead of time—like a draft, spreadsheet, or slide deck.
But don’t overload the agenda with reading material. If something’s critical, mention it in the agenda and upload it. If it’s “nice to have,” leave it out.
Step 4: Use agenda templates (if they help—not just because they exist)
Goodmeetings may push agenda templates for recurring meetings. These can save time if your meetings follow a set pattern (like a weekly standup). But don’t force-fit everything into a template—customize as needed.
Step 5: Final check—does this agenda make sense?
Read your agenda like someone who has no idea what’s going on. Does every item have a clear owner and purpose? Does the time add up? If not, revise.
Pro tip: If you can’t fill an agenda with focused items, maybe you don’t need the meeting at all. Don’t be afraid to cancel.
4. Share the agenda before the meeting (and make sure people see it)
This is where most people drop the ball. An agenda nobody sees is as useless as no agenda at all.
Step 1: Send invites with the agenda attached
When you save your meeting in Goodmeetings, it should prompt you to send invites. Make sure the agenda is included—either in the invite body or as a link/attachment. Don’t make people dig for it.
Step 2: Remind people to review (but don’t nag)
A day before the meeting, send a quick reminder. Goodmeetings may automate this, but a personal nudge (“Please read the agenda and docs before we meet”) never hurts.
Step 3: Make it easy to access during the meeting
Goodmeetings lets you display the agenda live as you run the meeting. Use this feature—don’t just read from your own screen. It keeps everyone on the same page (literally).
What doesn’t work:
Sending the agenda five minutes before you start, or worse, handing out paper copies (it’s not 1999). If someone’s walking into the meeting cold, that’s on you.
5. Run the meeting with your agenda—don’t just ignore it
Building and sharing an agenda is half the job. The payoff comes when you actually use it.
- Stick to the time limits.
Call time when a topic runs over. “Let’s park this and follow up later” is your friend. - Tick off items as you go.
Goodmeetings may let you check off agenda items. Do it visibly. - Record decisions and action items.
Don’t just talk about stuff—note outcomes directly in the agenda or Goodmeetings notes. - Don’t be afraid to skip topics.
If you finish early or something’s no longer relevant, move on. Nobody will complain about a shorter meeting.
What to ignore:
Features like “icebreaker” prompts or random polls. Unless you’re running a team-building session, keep the agenda focused on the main work. Fun for Friday afternoon, but not every meeting.
6. After the meeting: share outcomes and update the agenda
Once you’re done:
- Send a recap.
Goodmeetings can often send out notes or a summary. Make sure it includes what got decided and who’s doing what next. - Update future agendas.
Use feedback—what worked, what dragged—to tweak the template or structure for next time.
Don’t let the agenda die after the meeting. It’s a record of what happened, and a to-do list for what’s next.
Final thoughts: keep it simple, and don’t overthink it
Goodmeetings gives you decent tools, but the best agendas are simple, clear, and ruthlessly focused. Don’t get lost in features or templates. Start with what matters: a clear goal, a short list of topics, and a plan for following up. Share it early, stick to it, and tweak as you go. That’s how meetings get shorter, decisions get made, and everyone gets their time back.