8 tips for online presentations
Almost everyone now works from home and that includes digital presentation. Sometimes it is an online pitch or meeting, but maybe also a larger presentation for larger groups of people. Present online requires slightly different skills than presenting live. I have 8 tips for you, and I hope you find it useful.
- Stand up
You arrange set-up so that you can present standing up, you have to make sure that your webcam is placed at eye level, or just below it. Make a sturdy stack of crates or books. And, maybe it's smart to have one anti-slip mat under your laptop so that it does not just fall off. They often cannot handle that very well. When you present standing up, you automatically use a lot more body language and that is more pleasant to watch. Communication is for only 10% through the words you choose, much more is transferred through the communication of your body language. This makes it easier for viewers to follow. - Look into the camera
In this digital age we no longer have eye contact. That is very difficult, because you cannot 'measure' or 'see' whether your message has been received. To ensure that the viewer does not have this feeling, it is up to you as a speaker to look directly into the camera and not at the screen. If you do look at the screen, it is the feeling that you can experience during a live conversation if someone is not looking at you but is staring at your chin all the time. Then you don't have a good contact. - Light and sound
Of course you have to be visible, and the better your light is, the less the webcam has to adjust. Your image will then remain sharper and less grainy. But good video is also very closely related to good sound. So if you like to move while presenting, it might be smart to use a clip-on microphone. Wired microphones are available, as well as wireless variants. I have heard good stories about the Rhode go. - Your background
Everything is a story, so are you aware of what others can see in your background? For example, are you sitting in front of a bookcase? As a viewer I am often quickly distracted. I then try to read the backs of the books to see what your interests are. This is how I, as a viewer, form an image of you. Or is there a cat scratching post, that says something about you. All this separate data does not say much, but a lot of small pieces of information can still paint a fairly detailed picture about someone. The question is whether you want to disclose that information.
5. Slides, the right way
Do you use slides and or powerpoint? Check carefully whether this is really necessary, if you can explain it in a different way, that is usually preferable. If you are going to share your screen online on zoom or teams, you will no longer be visible and people would rather connect with people than with facts and information. If you have a TV or a beamer, you might be better off slides behind you. The webcam then films the slides that you present. The downside to this is that you don't have any lowercase letters or information in you slides can process. But, that's for good slides also not the intention. A slide should never become a cheat letter from the presenter. Rather, it should be an image or video that reinforces the speaker's story. So if you tell a story about sustainability, it is nice to show reinforcing images in the background of what you would like the future to look like.
6. Interact through questions
Make sure that your presentation does not only consist of just sending information. Create polls in zoom or MS Teams that can be filled in immediately by participants. Every form of information transfer can be turned into a question. Even if it is: “what do you think, we save with LED lighting per year ”:
a) 500 watts
b) 750 watts
c) 1000 watts
Everyone answers and as a presenter you can of course respond to that.
7. Stories
Use a story. We humans are in such an evolutionary way that we like to hear and tell stories. So, if you can put some of your information in a story form, it will always stick better than the dry information itself. Storytelling is an art herself, but if you know some tricks it is quite simple to do. I was just at the bakery and what happened to me there will don't believe you. All at once, out of nowhere….
Yes, now you want to know what happened there, nothing, because this was just an example. But as a reader, you have experienced for a moment how the beginning of a story immediately grabs your attention.
8. kis Keep it simple.
Presenting online requires a super clear message. It is better to divide complex presentations with all kinds of floors and side paths into several sessions. Have short sentences. Provide a logical structure in your presentation and avoid too much information. Your goal should be to convey the information, but use stories and touch emotions where possible.
As an illusionist I currently make regular performances specifically for online events. I create both business meetings where I am asked to freshen up participants with something wonderful and humorous. But I was also allowed to provide shows for the festive variations of online events. When making these shows I am always thinking about how the content fits in with the assignment, but also how I can turn viewers into active participants. A great challenge, from worldwide webinars for CEOs of top companies to spicing up the meeting of a municipality. Fortunately, it was always a success.
Shows & presentations
Live or online, but always interactive, funny and refreshing. With astonished participants as the end result.
Privacy / Info Security (€€€)
Everything you do online can be tracked and traced. Fortunately, your thoughts are still safe… right? In this show, privacy is an illusion.- • You'll get insight into how important privacy is for people
- • it's clear that privacy is more than laws and regulations
- • have you experienced that humans are the weakest link in info security
The paradigm shift show (€€)
Change your perspective and the world changes along with you. With humor and wonder, this show teaches you to look at change differently.- • You'll have insight into the different stages of change and resilience
- • You've experienced what it's like to change perspectives
- • You'll have a different perspective on change and transformation
Integrity Show (€€)
We all find integrity important. In a show full of illusions, experience how major integrity violations almost always start small- • hYou've thought about acting with integrity
- • you learn that major integrity issues always start small
- • You are challenged to discuss difficult situations
Illusion show (€)
A one-man show from a mind illusionist. Full of stories, interaction and humor. But above all with amazement. Adaptable to theme of the day!- • have your mind been read
- • You've experienced that perhaps more is possible than you initially thought
- - They leave the venue or online session in awe and inspired