Maximise presenting from home. Three vital steps.
Over the last year, we’ve had a front-row seat to how the nature of organisational communication has changed. We’ve seen the rise of the video call, digital conferences, and virtual storefronts.
We’ve also seen an increase in video call fatigue as speakers wrestle to maintain effective communication whilst working from home.
When it comes to presenting online, there is still a real need to deliver with impact.
Presenting from home has made things both easier and more challenging. While it’s less nerve-wracking to present behind the safety of a camera, it is also harder to deliver a presentation that genuinely engages your online audience.
When you are presenting online; focus on these three steps, to ensure you are communicating with power.
1. Preparation
When it comes to pulling a presentation together, it's vital to prepare well.
Take the time to step away from your computer, write notes about your audience and ensure you understand your main objective and their needs.
Are you there to educate, sell or share?
Be clear on what your audience will think and feel before you present and consider how you want them to feel and respond after your presentation.
What’s the critical message they need to hear to send them in the right direction.
To keep their attention you have to give them something they don't already know, and can't just google. By answering these questions thoroughly, you’ll ensure that your presentation remains impactful online.
2. Slides
Slides are even more critical in our new world.
When it comes to delivering presentations online, ensure your audience turn their own videos on. You must see their reaction as they interpret your slides and what you're saying. (It also stops them doing other stuff!)
Simple, on-brand, professional-looking slides stand out and get noticed.
Your audience wants to see what comes next ~ keywords and visuals help them understand and remember. It was important in the board-room and even more vital now, so you and your message stand out.
Keep it concise and to the point ensuring your audience aren't overloaded with information and are clear on what they need to do. Compare this to the droning online speakers they'll endure over the week.
3. Post-presentation collateral
Time is the most precious thing we have.
Don’t give them everything at once. Chunk it down into steps and do everything possible to help your audience and give them everything they need to make their actions easy.
If you need to relay more detail, send a follow-up document or explainer video to simplify the process, or a one-pager pdf that they can share with their colleagues. Send them links, articles, or even something in the "Post"!! Be remembered and help drive action.
When it comes to presenting with impact, we know what works. Whether you’re presenting online or offline – reach out to the experts today.
Emma Bannister is passionate about presenting big, bold, and beautiful ideas.
The Founder and CEO of Presentation Studio, APAC’s largest presentation agency, and author of the book:"Visual Thinking"How to transform the way you think, communicate and influence with presentations.
I’d love to hear from you if you have more ideas for interacting with colleagues, clients and working from home. Please share in comments below.
