It’s no secret that even established, veteran speakers must function and perform differently when using digital platforms to present content. Between the “muted” audience, multi-tasking temptation, and lack of physical eye contact, the experience for both presenter and audience is a far cry from what was.
But – how can speakers perform differently? What can presenters do to create a semblance of that in-person audience magic, that buzz of energy that radiates when both presenter and audience are really, truly in sync?
As a public speaking coach with more than a decade of experience at the podium and in the boardroom – to now behind the keyboard and webcam, I offer the following suggestions for speakers who may be struggling to engage with virtual audiences.
Camera Connection
Look in the camera! We take for granted the benefits of eye contact when we’re meeting in-person, so let’s do our best to recreate this integral part of the audience experience. Use the camera as your virtual audience, and resist the temptation to read word for word your carefully crafted speaking notes. Instead, pick the key words “off the page,” using your notes as guidelines as opposed to gospel.
LEVEL UP: Record yourself giving your presentation on the digital platform you’re using and critique yourself. Where does it sound like I’m “too scripted?” Am I connecting with the camera or do I need to check in with my virtual audience more?
Tidy Transitions
Never underestimate the power of compelling content transitions – either between sides or major/thought groups. From an audience perspective, keeping up in virtual presentations can be challenging, due to a late login, and/or technology snafoos. Make tracking along for your virtual attendees as easy as possible by providing a quick review of what you just discussed, with a short preview of the next topic.
LEVEL UP: Begin your presentation with a narrative anecdote and use that story to transition through your major thoughts/key points, ultimately ending your presentation with the story conclusion.
Active Audience
Make multi-tasking difficult by promoting opportunities for your virtual audience to actively participate. Use interactive polls, ask them to provide insight during your presentation, as opposed to waiting till the end for Q&A. The more opportunities you provide for active involvement, the more active engagement you will receive.
LEVEL UP: Start your presentation with a discussion question, or a content/trivia scavenger hunt that you then incorporate into your presentation with your audience using the chat to post answers.
Slim Slides
Do your best to limit text and/or numbers-heavy charts on your slides in favor of key words/pictures that you can easily toggle between to bring you front and center. Relying on slides to “do your work” will turn off your virtual audience quickly (as it does your in-person audience).
LEVEL UP: Instead of wordy slides, create a “What You Need To Know” fact sheet of major details/key messages and send in a post-event communication, and focus your presentation on conversation and Q&A.
Genuine Gems
Virtual/digital experiences have blurred the boundaries even more between work and home life, creating a rather intimate environment for co-workers, customers, and clients who now have a front row seat into your home. Lean into that. Provide genuine gems of personalized content that showcase you as professional, but also as a human.
Memorable, meaningful moments do not always have to be key message and/or objective specific – they can be small, silly, real, encounters that create a rapport between you and the virtual audience, that then translate into learned, beneficial content exchanges.
LEVEL UP: Have a personal anecdote that makes your presentation more compelling? Include it! Your cat wants to jump on your desk? Awesome! Moments of authenticity create compelling content – and establishes trust between all parties.