Tips for Virtual Presentations

When it comes to giving a presentation, there are a lot of different factors that can affect how well it goes.

The venue, the audience, the topic – all of these things can play a role in how successful your presentation is. But one thing that doesn’t usually come into play is the format. Whether you’re giving a presentation in person or virtually, the format is usually pretty similar.

However, there are some key differences between presenting in person and presenting in a virtual environment. Here are some tips for virtual presentations that will help to ensure it’s a success.

Do a Tech Dry Run

It’s safe to say that public speaking is nerve-wracking enough without the added possibility of unforeseen technical issues.

Personally, I think the tech scares me more than presenting ever did. So, the best way to overcome potential mishaps is to complete a dry run and test all of the tech you can beforehand.

Test Your Internet Connection

Once you’re satisfied with all aspects of your camera setup it’s time to test your internet connection. The last thing you want is for your internet to go out and freeze-frame you making an unflattering face on dozens of other computers.

Maybe that’s just a personal fear but I stand by this suggestion.

If it’s your first time using a new video conferencing software, see if you can locate the internet speed requirements and then run a quick test to make sure your service is up to par.

There are quite a few places where you can test your speed for free but one of the most popular sites is Speedtest.net. 

Remember to close any windows or programs you aren’t using before your virtual meeting as these can often cause a lag, also.

Try Out Your Virtual Meeting Software

Finally, test your virtual meeting software. If possible, ask if you can set up a test meeting so that you can get comfortable with the software or website.

Do a full dry run of your presentation so that you can identify any actions, buttons, or features that might cause issues.

Good news, if someone else will be running the meeting while you’re speaking then you can skip this step!

Camera is Key

I’m going to say something you won’t want to hear. You’ve got to turn on your camera. 

I know! I hate it too! 

You probably skipped right past some of those tips in the first section thinking “Well, I won’t be using my camera so I don’t care about this part” but let me be the one to break the bad news to you.

Maintaining your audience’s attention during virtual presentations is hard. They’re sitting at home surrounded by a thousand distractions and somehow doing the laundry seems more exciting than sitting in front of their computer for an hour.

Turning on your camera is a major way to improve engagement because humans are naturally invested in other humans more than words on a screen. Seeing your facial expressions, hand movements, and other non-verbal cues (although limited on camera) helps your audience to understand and relate to your message.

Set-Up Your Laptop & Webcam

Start by setting up your laptop and webcam in the location you plan to use when you’re presenting. If needed, most computers have a camera application you can use to check what you’ll look like when you’re live on screen.

Find a comfortable place to sit that isn’t too close or too far from the camera. You should be able to see some of your background but you want to be close enough so that your audience can still clearly see your facial expressions and hear your voice.

This is also a great time to test your microphone and sound quality.

Check Your Lighting

Next, check your lighting situation. Most webcams perform poorly in low lighting which means your video quality will suffer.

Natural lighting is usually the best but you can use a lamp, ring light, or other standing light to brighten the area if you have it.

Most importantly, make sure that you’re facing your light source.

Consider Your Background

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen the inside of someone’s home and wondered how they even found a clear place to set their laptop because of all the clutter hanging out behind them.

Even worse though is the fact that this can easily distract your audience because their eyes will naturally want to explore the scenery. If all else fails, sitting against a wall is better than showcasing a “busy” and distracting background.

If you’re concerned that your background may appear less than professional, you may want to consider virtual backgrounds. These are backgrounds that can be applied to your video feed in order to make it appear as though you’re somewhere else.

Some platforms – like Zoom and Webex – have a few built-in options, but you can also find free ones online or even create your own. The goal is to choose a background that is visually appealing without being so interesting that it is distracting.

Plan for Virtual Engagement

While we’re on the topic of audience engagement, I also want to point out the fact that engagement for a virtual presentation is a totally different ball game. Just because you’re not in the same room as your audience members doesn’t mean you can’t interact with them.

The audience cues that you would typically use to gauge their interest will be almost non-existent. The best tip I can share here is to plan ahead and bake in places to check in with your audience.

Identify places in your presentation where there are obvious questions and encourage your virtual audience to engage at that point. Create PowerPoint slides that are meant solely to solicit responses like taking a quick poll or requesting attendees to share their opinion on a topic.

If you’re feeling fancy, you can also look into the digital engagement features your virtual meeting space offers.

Many programs have options for attendees to virtually “raise their hand”, ask questions via chat feature, or participate in on-screen annotations. Consider where you can include these features and include them in your tech dry run.

Keep It Simple

Keep your slides simple and to the point. When you’re giving a virtual presentation, your audience can’t see your body language or facial expressions. So it’s important to make sure your slides are clear and concise.

In order to communicate effectively, tune your presentation down to only the most important information and get rid of anything that isn’t absolutely essential. Remember, you can always send your audience additional materials after the presentation if they’re interested in learning more.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As with any presentation, it’s important to practice before you give your virtual presentation. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident when it’s time to give the real thing.

I recommend practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself so that you can see how you will come across on camera. This will help you to make any necessary adjustments to your delivery.

Pay close attention to facial expressions, hand motions, tone and filler words. The PowerPoint Presenter Coach is a great tool to use when practicing because it will give you feedback on many of these factors!

You should also make sure to time yourself so that you can stay within the allotted time frame for your presentation.

Conclusion

Presenting virtually can be daunting, but things like doing a tech dry run, utilizing a webcam, incorporating audience engagement, and keeping things simple will make you feel more prepared and ready to give an excellent presentation.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your virtual presentation is a success.

If you’re still feeling a little uneasy I’ve created a free guide that provides 4 more tips that will have you ready to present in no time. The last tip may surprise you. Enter your info below and I’ll send it over ASAP.

Now, get out there and give it your best shot!