Back in March, at the start of this virtual event renaissance, we gave you the pro Tips to Be an Effective Virtual Speaker and followed up in June with the inside scoop on How to Lead an Engaging Session on the Virtual Stage.
Well, with seven months and hundreds of virtual events under our belt, we’ve compiled our lessons learned and best practices and are back with our most thorough guide yet: the Virtual Speaking Checklist.
Ready to take your next virtual opportunity to the next level?
Check your tech
Nothing spells the age of virtual events quite like technical difficulties. While some of these are entirely unavoidable, as a speaker, be sure to do your best to avoid contributing to the many issues that could arise. Ask yourself some of the questions below:
Does my laptop or the event platform app need to be updated? Do this well before the time of your session!
Do I have a good internet connection? You can use a number of free online resources to check your internet speed.
Are all my devices fully charged? Charge up anything you’ll need to use during your session the night before.
Are all my notifications off? Pause your notifications and double check any devices around you that might give off audio that could be picked up by your computer or headphones.
Look in the mirror
Actually, you should look at your webcam. While many events may have loosened their dress code for virtual speakers, keep in mind that most webcams are only seeing you from the waist or shoulders up so that’s where your focus should be when you’re putting together your outfit.
Light up the room . . .
. . . whatever room you’re delivering your virtual session from. Virtual lighting is notoriously difficult to get right with the limited resources we have at home. Make the most of it with these guidelines:
Avoid backlight. Any major source of light coming from behind you (natural or otherwise) will make your face look like a shadow from the perspective of your webcam.
Avoid overexposure. To avoid backlight, our instinct says we should put a light source right in front of us. But be careful... placing something too bright too close can lead to overexposure and make it just as difficult to see on camera.
It’s all about balance. Find the right balance between light in front of your and light behind you. This will give you and your speaking space the best virtual appearance without losing any detail or creating an artificial look.
Mic check 1, 2, 3
Is this thing on? Do an audio test before your session to find out! If you have a prep call or a practice session, ensure that you use the exact devices that you plan to use at the time of your session to confirm that everything is synced correctly and working properly. If you didn’t have a prep call, host one yourself! Ask your event organizer which video platform you’ll be using, grab a colleague, and hop on a quick call to confirm that they can hear you well without echos or delays.
Tell us about your background
Just kidding! In the virtual event world, we can see your background.
Once again, take a look at your webcam. What can you see behind you? Is it cluttered? Could people or pets walkthrough? Are there mirrors or other distracting surfaces? Pick a background that reflects the appearance you want to give off in your session. Some things to consider are:
A bookcase or credenza
Some greenery
A wall with some character
A virtual background!
Virtual backgrounds are a great option to consider if your work-from-home office spaces are limited. If you choose to go with a virtual background, ensure it’s uploaded before the event, is oriented in the correct direction, and isn’t too distracting as some animated backgrounds can be.
Stay with us
Stay engaged with us that is. Virtual speak is a challenge because you don’t have an audience in front of you to feed off of. That said, your webcam is picking up everything, and the minute your energy starts to wane, the audience will pick up on that and may start to disengage.
It may feel awkward but the most engaging virtual sessions come from speakers that are just as excited to deliver their message from behind a screen as they are on stage.
So what does this come down to? Practice, practice, practice, and prep, prep, prep. Do your best to be present for any prep calls or rehearsals that your event organizer may host for your session and make the most of them. This means being an active participant in the prep call, taking notes, and setting up as closely as you can to the situation you’ll be in on the day of your session to get a preview of what your lighting, background, and internet connection will be like. If the event doesn’t host a prep call, host one yourself. Being comfortable with the video platform and familiar with your environment will always pay off and help you feel more relaxed as your big event draws near.
Ready to find more virtual speaking opportunities? Get in touch.