Master the Art of Virtual Public Speaking & Engage Your Conference Attendees

With the advancement of technology, delivering speeches, presentations, or communication has become easier. Say thanks to digital tools, video conferencing platforms, and webinars, allowing professionals from diverse industries to connect and engage an audience remotely.  However, embracing the art of virtual public speaking and engaging conference attendees requires some techniques and principles that are superior to regular in-person speaking. Aside from this, you must opt for technological proficiency and be aware of your audience’s expectations and needs.

Through this guide, we are going to provide you with practical techniques and tips that can help you master the art of virtual presence, making your impression last longer. Whether you’re a newbie to the virtual world or an experienced speaker, this information will help you understand the important tools you need to stand out in the digital landscape.

The Challenges of Virtual Public Speaking

Virtual public speaking can be a fantastic way to motivate a large audience, but it comes with its own set of challenges that differ from traditional in-person meetings. Here are some of the distinctive hurdles speakers encounter:

• Limited Audience Visibility: Speakers can’t see their audience’s reactions, making it challenging to gauge engagement.
• Technical Hiccups: Connectivity issues, audio problems, and software glitches can disrupt the flow of the presentation.
• Distractions: Audience members may face distractions from their surroundings, such as home or office environments.
• Engagement Barriers: Keeping attendees engaged through a screen requires creative strategies beyond verbal communication.

Tips for Mastering Virtual Public Speaking and Engaging Attendees

If you are searching for how to engage your conference attendees and are willing to refine your virtual speaking skills, go through the below tips and techniques:

Preparing for Virtual Public Speaking

Similar to in-person communication, virtual public speaking demands practice and preparation.

• Embrace Technology

There is a wide range of platforms and tools available to choose from. For video conferencing software, you can use Eventzilla. It is an all-in-one event management software that can streamline the registration process for your audience, scheduling, and check-in processes for your virtual event. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities make it easier to manage the technical aspects of your presentation. With this technology, you don’t have to worry about managing your event; it lets you focus on your speaking skills.

• Content Preparation

Once you’re familiar with the technology and before entering a virtual session, start considering your audience’s interests, expectations, and knowledge. In the meantime, make sure that your main message is short and clear. When practicing, try to speak slowly in general, and if you want to say more words, speak slowly on purpose.

Also, speak in the right tone and volume. Try to speak at a moderate pace and remember to pause so that your listeners can better understand what you are saying. However, by preparing all this in advance, you can determine whether your speech fits within the allotted time.

Engaging Your Virtual Audience

Most people can’t get rid of this question of how to engage conference attendees and keep thinking, which makes them nervous. The easiest solution is to have a glass of water and take a deep breath before starting.

To start engaging your audience, you can pay attention to these three crucial tips:

• Interactivity

Interacting with the audience is the primary way to reduce the chances of awkward moments in video conferences or virtual meet-ups. You start by simply putting questions to your audience, asking follow-up questions regarding the topic, or considering some feedback. This method will ensure the audience doesn’t get bored and feels more connected to the speech.

• Storytelling Techniques

The next most preferred method by every speaker is to use storytelling techniques. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Intel, etc., use storytelling to grab audience attention and hook them for longer. If you have seen Apple’s latest event about their new Apple Watch Ultra 2 announcement, you can find a storytelling about how Apple Watch saved thousands of people’s lives.

This is a widely used technique by almost every brand, which simply helps the audience deeply relate to the product or service.

• Visual Engagement

The use of presentations, infographics, and videos is appealing if done the right way. Visuals help in two ways- audiences get to know your topic more, reducing the chances of the audience getting bored. If you are good at graphic designing or video making, you can create unique and appealing presentations for your conference attendees.

Technology and Presentation

As we discussed the use of technological advancement in point “Embrace Technology,” you can learn much more about presentation tools and methods. Here are two crucial tips that every virtual public speaker uses:

• Optimizing the Virtual Speaking Setup

With a pop filter, a microphone can reduce breath sounds and ensure your words get the most attention. Ensure a neutral and uncluttered background, proper lighting, and eye-level webcam positioning. Test your equipment and media to avoid technical glitches. Eventzilla can help manage the technical aspects of your event, allowing you to focus on delivering an engaging presentation.

• Visual Aids and Multimedia

Having a high-quality webcam will be beneficial in conveying the message in a better manner. You can show your confidence in the topic through a good body posture. You can also use gestures, and a lot more. Adding a ring light will be a great add-on, but consider using a soft box light or DIY for better results.

Post-Presentation Actions

After completing your presentation, it is time to do the aftermath and be prepared for questions. Listening while answering the question can boost the audience’s credibility on your topic. It is not about the subject anymore but about how you respond to your audience. Therefore, a well-curated response will make you a good speaker.

• Feedback and Evaluation

Once you have completed your speech and are confident that you did a great job, you can consider going the extra mile to interact with the audience. Asking questions like What do you all think about the idea, ask for their views or anything that can help improve the quality of the product, topic, or service.

Moreover, you can also consider your attendee’s feedback from trusted sources and self-reflect on your performance. Implement changes based on feedback and continuously improve your virtual speaking skills. Eventzilla offers features for collecting attendee feedback and tracking event analytics, providing valuable insights for future presentations.

Conclusion

Besides all the tips about how to master the art of virtual public speaking, you can learn more ways to be confident. Doing thorough research on the topic and preparing for questions that might pop up after the presentation will be handy.

One question most public speaker asks is, “Are conference registration fees taxable?” or is there any fees? Well, in-person attendees will pay taxes based on the event’s location’s tax laws. If you are based in the US, The IRS lets you deduct conference expenses if your employer does not reimburse you.