10 tips that will take your online presentation to the next level

You can easily switch your workspace into a professional presentation room with a few small adjustments. Make sure to keep in mind the quality of the light, sound and your screen. A lot of people forget that when using the camera in the right way it can increase the attention your audience has for your story. Make sure to look directly into the camera while presenting and do not forget that even when you are online, body language can make a huge difference.

UX is all about the user experience. With the help of UX you can influence the audiences behavior. Research shows that people read in the shape of the letter Z. This is useful information when designing your PowerPoint slide. For example, have a long sentence on top of the screen, in the middle you can add bullet points and on the bottom a long sentence again. This way your slide will be read in the Z shape. Strong visuals are also an important part of an UX presentation, the best position for this is on the right side of your slideshow.

Organize a clear structure in your story and presentation. It is wise to think about the goal of your presentation beforehand. If you use PowerPoint it is important to keep it simple and not filled with a lot of text. Think about what people should learn from your story. What is your key message? Only add this information on your slides.

It is even a harder challenge to keep your story interesting online than live. A way to tackle this challenge is by making sure your story is diverse and dynamic. One way to achieve this is by using examples and anecdotes. You can also introduce an online WordCloud where the public can share their thoughts. Read here more about how to make a Word Cloud in PowerPoint. In this way your story will be better remembered and more personal.

When a speaker is using his entire body to tell a story it results in a more interesting presentation. Use facial expressions to show what you mean or feel with your text. Keep the audience’s attention by varying your vocal range or by pausing. Make sure to have an open attitude and talk with your entire body. This will result in more liveliness in your story!

It is good to prepare your text, but only use this as a guideline. You don’t need to recite your premeditated text. When you only use your text like a guideline, you’re allowing yourself to improvise which will make your presentation feel more natural. Use short sentences and avoid a too professional tone of voice. This way your presentation will most likely come across spontaneous which is more pleasing to listen to

Your presentation skills will increase when you have more confidence. One way to achieve this confidence is by practicing a lot. However sometimes things go wrong while you are presenting online and unexpected things happen. Keep calm! Try to pick yourself up and continue where you left off. You can also inform the public that you are a bit lost, if just continuing doesn’t work. Even the best of us make mistakes and there is nothing wrong with that.

It is important that the audience feels seen and heard. This can be achieved by asking questions and allowing people to provide a response. There are different question types that you can implement in your online presentation. On top of that be aware of the body language of your audience. You can mention if you see a member of the audience laughing. This way your audience feels seen, resulting in a more attentive audience that will increase their focus for your story. If you want some more tips you can read it in our blog: How do you make a presentation interactive?

Trust yourself by knowing you own enough knowledge and experience to start speaking publicly. Do not be afraid to be yourself and chose a stage that resonates with who you are. You can share your knowledge on social media or in a podcast. Creating content about your subject is important in order to create a connection with your audience before your presentation has even started. Don’t be quiet, speak up! This way your audience will feel the added value of your presentation.

Giving an online presentation is indispensable in these times, but it also contains a lot of challenges. Keeping your audience’s attention, especially online, can be challenging but also very important. Sendsteps helps you create a stronger connection with your audience. Try starting your presentation with a WordCloud or test the audience’s knowledge with a quiz. This way your audience will stay focused and your presentation will be unforgettable.