ACE EVERY VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

The term “Zoom fatigue” is making quite the rounds lately and no working professional is a stranger to the exhaustive amount of video calls they’ve done. Since the pandemic began, all our work-related interactions have shrunk to 13-inch laptop screens. It may seem like the way we interact with each other has completely pivoted, especially while conducting a webinar, or pitching a new client, or even delivering a presentation at a meeting.

It can be a daunting task to do this virtually but does it have to be? No!

The fundamentals of public speaking apply as much now as they did during the ‘pre-pandemic-era’. Tweaking those principles to suit the virtual space can make your presentation way more interesting and impactful.

Here is a 9 step guide to help you ace all your presentations.

1. Lights. WebCam. Action.

The right kind of lighting and background matters as much as the content. Sit near a bright light source, it could even be a window. While many sit up against a wall to make it look neat and clutter-free they forget to treat this background as their stage. It always adds character when a speaker shows a bit of their house in the background. Making sure it’s neat and tidy is undeniable, but staring at a blank wall behind you could just make the whole experience a tad less stimulating.

It is very important to seat yourself far enough to allow hand gestures and some movement but close enough to be clear for the viewers and operating your laptop. Double-check yourself on the screen before entering the room.

2. Maintain ‘Eye Camera’ Contact

We have a natural tendency of following faces in the crowd, to maintain eye contact, and we do that by looking at the audience on the screen. However, in case of virtual presentations, the only way to maintain eye contact is through your webcam.

It is easy to get distracted by the audience’s faces, and to avoid that, look into the light that goes on near your webcam, and if you do not have that feature, place a small, visible sticker near the camera to get your undivided attention.

3. Arrive Early

Reaching the venue early can never go wrong. Instead of waiting for all the participants to join in, you could start engaging with them through the chatroom already.

Ask them how they are doing. Learn some of their names if memory allows, it’ll come in handy later. Ask them about their expectations so it can help you deliver your presentation better. These are some of the best ways to earn their trust, by showing you’re doing this because you love doing this, with no room for doubt.

4. Start with a Story

It is a known fact that people connect to stories far better than any other form of content. Don’t start with gimmicky facts or information. Lead with a story to grab the audience’s attention.

Considering it is way harder to hold someone’s attention through the screen, starting off with a personal story is a great way to earn trust and get them to lend you their ears. Shape your narrative to suit their interests and the main theme so it doesn’t sound self-centric, rather it helps them relate to what you have to say.

5. Liven up the Screen

Just because you’re sitting at your desk doesn’t mean you have to be completely still. Use your hand gestures, be expressive with your emotions. The more modulations and movements are brought on screen, the less monotonous it will be for your viewers.

Nevertheless, don’t overdo them though. Be natural.

6. Engage with the Audience

If there’s one thing I could stress most on, it would have to be this. This will either make or break your presentation. Evoking a response from the audience is one of the best ways to retain their attention and prevent their brains from sitting too idle. If you remember any of their names, call them out. Ask them something.

It also makes them feel included as a part of a larger community. In case of virtual presentations, the physical interaction is missed and could be halfway replaced with this if not fully. A sense of belonging is something we all miss when we’re not in a room full of people attending an event.

There are some tried and tested ways to do so -

• Ask the audience about their opinions
• Ask them if they agree or disagree with your view
• Conduct activities
• Have a Q&A session

7. Avoid being Silent

While operating any function on your laptop, whether it is switching to screen share view or adjusting the brightness, don’t stay silent. Keeping the audience engaged is even more challenging virtually, so it’s always best to make light conversations in between, or explaining what you’re doing. Being candid is also part of gaining trust from the audience.

Have a partner or team member keep track of the chat room so you don’t have to pause to read what’s being typed there.

8. Evaluate. Learn. Implement.

They say we are our best judges and like many other skills, this too can be perfected over time and with practice. Record yourself session after session, and look for your own ways to improve.

Show it to your co-workers, friends; ask them for feedback.

Learn different ways to improve and then keep implementing these new skills into practice for your next presentation.

9. Have Fun and Be Yourself

You can’t deliver a great presentation if you’re tense and worry about it too much. Be your authentic self and enjoy delivering your presentation to an audience that is here to look at you.

The vibe you set is a reflection of your current state, so have fun!