Virtual presentations aren’t revolutionary. They’ve really been around for quite some time. However, given the events of 2020 and the evident move to remote work, virtual presentations are having a moment. Virtual presentations are significantly more popular (and, dare we say, the new standard) than they were three years ago. But, what exactly is a virtual presentation?
Virtual presentations are those that are delivered or received remotely through a computer screen. As a result, Virtual presentations enable you to present to a wider audience at the same time without being constrained by auditorium capacity, schedule issues, or travel. They’re just more handy and accessible.
On the other hand, others may claim that virtual presentations are less successful because they lack the face-to-face connection that many people want. No matter whatever we say, they’re the new norm now.
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The Rise of Virtual Presentations
Since the days of engravings on cave walls, work presentation has developed. The notion of a “presentation” was substantially different in Don Draper’s 1960s Manhattan than it is today. At the time, presentations were made up of a sequence of hand-drawn pictures (or storyboards) that were first affixed to a piece of foam core and then proudly exhibited on metal easels for the audience to enjoy.
Alternatively, in less creative businesses, paper notes were printed on typewriters and distributed for participants to read during meetings – generally accompanied orally by an extremely good presenter.
Today’s world is vastly different
We progressed from storyboards to clumsy projector slides to PowerPoint death. Looking back, none of those were very good solutions if you had the design abilities to support your presentation, but they all got the job done. Presenting software has stepped up to the plate since then and altered the presentation game (and rightfully so).
The greatest presentation software now works on the cloud, making it much easier to develop presentations and collaborate with colleagues or peers. Naturally, it is also easy to share presentations.
With presentation software becoming more widely available, anyone with less than 5 years of expertise in digital design can make something impressive. And, as presentation software evolves and incorporates cutting-edge technology, it’s simpler than ever to present to anybody, at any time, from anywhere.
Virtual presentations have been around for a while, but they didn’t gain popularity until the 2020 pandemic caused employers to re-evaluate their work culture. Virtual presentations have become the standard for the previous 18 months.
In fact, one might argue that they saved enterprises and organizational culture from COVID-19. Businesses globally would have suffered from a lack of both customer and internal communications if they could not present remotely at any time.
How to Win the Virtual Presentation Game in the New Normal?
Now that we’ve learned a bit more about virtual presentations and their ascent to prominence let’s speak about how to conduct a virtual presentation and adjust to this new norm. Here are five easy techniques for winning the virtual presentation game.
1. Define The Purpose of Your Presentation
Every presentation has a certain purpose. It is critical to clarify the aim of your presentation since giving individuals useless information might result in ‘Death by PowerPoint.’
It does not cause any issue if you give a physical presentation, but it can be challenging while delivering a virtual one since you can’t see the real-time faces of the attendees. It will ultimately lead to a misinterpretation of the presentation’s purpose.
Simply jotting out a statement of purpose for your presentation will offer you and your audience clarity. The goal might be to update your teams on project-related activities, pitch a new proposal to stakeholders, or educate your team members.
Once you’ve determined the goal, you can continue on to creating a presentation framework and structure.
2. Minimize All The Distractions
Distractions come in a variety of sizes and styles. It may be your web browser’s seven open tabs or the unusual sounds in the background of your coworker. Whatever it is, while presenting a virtual presentation, it is critical to reducing distractions to a minimum. If you’re giving a presentation, make sure your environment is clean and clutter-free, and don’t be hesitant to ask your audience to be mute while they listen.
3. Use Visual Aids To Engage With Your Audience
When you can’t be there in real-time to refocus your audience’s attention back to your screen, you must rely on other assets to do it. Visual storytelling is an excellent way to counteract work-from-home apathy. Photos, videos, dynamic graphics, and music all contribute to keeping your audience interested and engaged in what you’re presenting.
Adding recorded voice to each slide takes it a step further, allowing you to narrate what’s on the screen when you can’t be there in person. It allows you to tell the audience exactly what you want them to know, leaving a minimal opportunity for misinterpretation.
4. Practice
Of course, even with a flawless pitch, your virtual presentation might be derailed by factors beyond your control. It is critical to be proactive and practice your presentation early so that you are comfortable with the technology and software.
While you cannot manage everyone’s WiFi connection, you can ensure that everything is working properly on your end before going live. Furthermore, practice makes perfect—at the absolute least, become familiar with your slides and the flow of your tale.
5. Send a follow-up
The benefit of virtual presentations is that they allow you to follow up fast and frequently. To save time, you can access your email account after the presentation for questions, feedback, or suggestions.
Similarly, you should probably follow up with the last call to action so that the audience is clear on what you want them to do. Most essential, you should unquestionably follow up with the presentation deck.
You’re inviting your peers, clients, or coworkers to review the presentation on their own time, whether they were present for the virtual presentation or not, by sending a follow-up. It serves as a concrete takeaway and could mean the difference between them recalling whatever you presented and forgetting your pitch the moment they leave the meeting.
Wrapping It Up
Since so many individuals work from home, it’s critical to hold meetings that are informational, engaging, and relevant to your audience.
Your presentation’s goal should be absolutely clear. In terms of both style and content, your presentation should seek to interest the audience and match their expectations.
Virtual presentations might be new to us, but we have to make them a norm in order to stay updated with the latest technological revolutions. It might be difficult but achievable!