The business world has gone virtual nowadays, and it’s important that we’re able to use all the tools necessary to achieve better results. Even without a global epidemic on our hands, companies around the world were increasingly embracing the remote work model and conducting their meetings online. And now you’re tasked with giving an important presentation in a virtual setting, and you have to make sure everything goes smoothly.
But beyond having a solid internet connection and using the right conferencing tool, what can you do to deliver an impactful presentation? One that will entice everyone to take action and work towards achieving company objectives? Well, there’s plenty you can do to prepare the best presentation ever, even as a remote worker or a digital nomad.
Here are the top tips you can use right now to create a virtual presentation your colleagues and the higher-ups won’t forget any time soon.
Work on your soft skills
First things first, understand that you can have the best tech at your side, the best lighting, and the best visuals, but if you don’t have decent soft skills you won’t be able to dazzle your audience. So, what are soft skills? Soft skills encompass an array of interpersonal skills that we use to communicate with others. We use our soft skills to leave a positive first impression, deliver impactful messages, make ourselves more interesting and relatable, more likable and memorable.
In a nutshell, soft skills are an important part of long-term success both personally and professionally. And you can use them to make your presentation more engaging and interesting, especially a virtual one. The problem with virtual meetings and presentations is that they feel impersonal and cold, but you can introduce warmth and personality by:
- Putting a genuine smile on your face.
- Gesticulating with purpose and tact.
- Framing the picture and using symmetry.
- Speaking calmly and a tad slower than you normally would.
- Making pauses to allow people to internalise what they heard.
- Asking questions along the way to make people feel important and immersed.
Outline the purpose and goals
Your presentation approach for your presentation, but so do the others. With that in mind, it’s important that you start the presentation by outlining these goals and the various objectives you want to reach throughout the presentation.
This will put everything into perspective for your audience and will give them a clear overview of what lies ahead. It’s very important for people to be in the right mindset and to have clear expectations, so leave nothing to chance. When you give people goals and objectives, you will instantly unite them to your cause.
Make your slideshows more engaging
Every virtual presentation needs quality, immersive visuals. Without visual aids, you risk making your presentation feel like a boring lecture that people have to sit through. However, if you go the extra mile and use a feature-rich online slideshow maker to create beautiful animations, images, transitions, and more, you can truly engage and immerse your audience.
The key is to make your visuals educational and informative, yes, but you also want to illustrate the point you’re trying to make in a fun and light-hearted way. Keep in mind that everyone needs a laugh during a busy workweek, and this is your opportunity to insert visuals that will capture their attention and maybe even bring a smile to their face. If not, then at least make beautiful visuals and Insights report that will keep the attention in the virtual room.
Have a detailed timetable on deck
Nobody likes a presentation that goes on and on without an end in sight. People might be interested in what you have to say, but you will lose their interest if you don’t keep things moving along. This means you need to reach various milestones during the meeting.
Instead of making it all one giant presentation, divide everything up into small, bite-size sections. Have a clear timetable on hand and know exactly how long each section should last. Once you complete a section, wrap it up and ask people if they have any questions before you proceed.
Don’t compromise on technology
Lastly, don’t forget to tend to some technical details. Make sure to get a good camera with a good lens, preferably one that shoots in 1080p with at least 30 frames per second. This will provide a clear and smooth streaming experience that everyone can enjoy.
Next, be sure to optimise the lighting around you. Ideally, you’d want natural light to fall softly on your face for that warm and natural look. You can also use artificial lighting, but remember to keep the source of light behind the camera to avoid unwanted reflections. Lastly, get a great microphone and avoid using the built-in mic on your computer – audio quality will make all the difference.
Over to you
A virtual presentation can be boring and uneventful, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience. Make sure to use these tips to capture the attention of your audience, inspire them to take action, and give a presentation that people will remember.
