Many of us were much more comfortable giving presentations "at the office" where we were used to the environment and in-person audience. Giving a presentation from the comfort of our home is-oddly-more awkward. Stephanie Scotti, a speaking coach and corporate consultant, offers great tips to achieve peak performance when presenting virtually:
- W.A.I.T (Why Am I Talking?): Ask yourself, "Why am I talking?" Since you're not able to see, physically shake hands, and emotionally connect with your audience before stepping up to speak, it's essential to be clear about why you are talking, on this topic, at this time, and to this audience.
- Practice is the price of proficiency: Practice your talk out loud, as you would for an in-person event, until you're confident in your content and have mastered an engaging delivery. Practice with the technology--all of it--until you're comfortable you know what to do and how things work. Practice speaking to the camera, rather than at the faces on your screen.
- Balance face time and slide time: In a virtual presenting scenario, you need to rethink your slide support strategy. When will your audience need face time, and when will it make sense to show slides?
- "Glance and grab": You want your audience to be able to glance at the slide, grab the idea and return to listening to you. But with virtual events, keep in mind your audience may be using different types of devices that create different experiences.
- Make a stand! Stand up, don't sit, to deliver your presentation. This unlocks energy and projects confidence and authority. Standing also allows arm, shoulder, and hand movement needed for communicating clearly, comfortably and authentically.
- Expect the silence: Despite all your preparation and effort, you might be caught off-guard by deafening-jarring-silence when you finish speaking. You won't have the real-time feedback of in-person presentations, like smiles, nodding heads, facial expressions or applause.
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Nicole Buckley
Communications Strategist
Association of American Medical Colleges
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