Virtual meetings have become the status quo in recent years, and the shift toward more hybrid and work-from-home models – along with the efficiency virtual meetings bring – means they’re not likely to go anywhere.
Virtual presentations come with their own caveats, but with a little care and effort, they can still be ultimately effective. Here are our top five tips for ensuring your virtual presentation packs maximum impact…
1. Invest in the visuals
It’s helpful to remember that 60% of people are visual learners.
Professional, clear, on-brand, and on-point visuals grab and keep participants’ attention and provide crucial support to visual learners – which can account for more than half your audience. Summary slides that visually reinforce your point and give participants time to digest the content can also be especially effective.
2. Simplify your slides
Participants will likely be viewing on a variety of different devices and with varying bandwidths. Design your slides to work on a smaller screen and keep things simple. Make your slides as short as possible – no more than four points and two minutes spent talking for each slide. Animations can present as jerky or out of sync, so if you do add movement to your slides, keep it minimal and purposeful.
3. Keep your audience engaged!
Most of us have an average attention span of 5 minutes or less. Adding a little interaction and levity to your presentation can go a long way. Consider including a short video clip that reinforces your point. Questions, forms, polls, and even whiteboard session tools are often built into popular video meeting platforms and serve as great opportunities to get your audience involved.
4. Create, edit, practice, edit, practice
It may sound a bit redundant to edit and practice multiple times, but when leading an online presentation, it really helps. Virtual presenting is still presenting to a group. Practice as much, if not more, as you would if you presented in person.
After you create your presentation, edit it. The first edit should consider content, grammar, and spelling. Once this is done, practice presenting as you would on the actual presentation day and consider additional edits. Time yourself and note any issues. Practice several times to really get comfortable so you’re ready to nail it on presentation day.
5. Last but not least, don’t forget the basics
The public speaking and presentation skills you use in person absolutely transfer into an online environment. Speak with an energetic tone of voice. Articulate yourself clearly and pause often. And… remember to smile. After all, you’re on camera!
With thought, planning, and practice – these essential tips – you’ll be ready to deliver an awesome virtual presentation.
