Surprisingly, one answer to the question of what it is about virtual presenting that can feel so unsettling can be found right outside our windows by listening to how birds communicate. Birds communicate with one another primarily to signal danger and find a mate. This is how we frequently feel when we present on Zoom — like the bird who calls out and hears only silence, and imagine how frightening it must be for a bird to call out and receive no response.
Prior to Covid, when we delivered our presentations in person, we could depend on the audience reaction to verify that our message was understood. In virtual presentations, however, we lack audience feedback. We no longer see body language. People rarely nod their heads (or fall asleep if they’re bored), and making eye contact with them is much more difficult. As a result, we feel like no one is listening. Unfortunately, this makes us even more anxious about speaking. Even worse, we speak as if no one is listening because we believe that no one is listening. We sound less connected to the audience. We speak in more of a monotone. We ramble and have trouble finishing a thought. This only makes matters worse because it exacerbates our anxiety and results in a subpar presentation. After all, the audience finds it harder to listen the more disjointed we sound.
Use the chat, especially when you start. The beginning of a virtual presentation is the most difficult because it seems like no one is listening. The presentation starts off poorly and establishes distance when the presenter asks, “Uh…is this working?” or “Can everyone hear me?” Instead, begin with something that brings everyone in. The chat feature is a fantastic way to get quick feedback from the audience. You could start the conversation with a pertinent query and request that participants respond in the chat. You could, for instance, request that everyone list one thing they hope to learn from the presentation. For shy or reserved introverts, the chat is especially useful. Make sure to read out loud at least some of the responses (and, if you can, use first names). You feel as though people are listening when you engage the audience right away, which boosts your confidence for the remainder of the presentation.
Even when the audience can’t respond, keep it conversational. Given the lack of audience interaction during webinars, speakers may become especially anxious. Asking rhetorical questions all through your presentation is one way to simulate the back and forth nature of a conversation. For the audience, rhetorical questions open loops in the brain that we then want to close by answering them in our heads. For instance, when introducing a new idea, you might say, “Are you ready to try something new?” Or, if you want people to notice something, you might say, “Do you see the shift from low to high on the chart?” Even when they can’t directly interact with you, this encourages the audience to engage with and connect with your content. You’ll feel more like you’re having a conversation if you keep asking questions, which lessens some of the anxiety.
Empathize. Giving a virtual presentation can be unsettling for a number of reasons, one of which is that we struggle to emotionally connect with the audience. You will feel more emotionally connected to the audience when you speak if you take a moment before a presentation to put yourself in their shoes. Remember that attending a virtual presentation is challenging and demanding. What can you do to make it easier? By focusing on your virtual audience instead of yourself (or what other people think of you), you reduce speaking anxiety. Additionally, developing empathy enables you to create presentations that benefit and meet the needs of your audience.
Virtual presentations are inherently awkward. Our anxiety is heightened by the lack of audience participation, the inability to “read the room,” and the absence of direct eye contact. You can sound more human and connected by recreating the back and forth of a conversation, even in a webinar, to help you feel more connected to your audience. It is simple to overlook the reality that your virtual audience is still present even though you cannot see them. More than ever, they need your attention because they are listening.
Differences between online and in-person presenting
Although delivering information about business topics like earnings, project proposals, project updates, or product ideas online or in person is a common practice, there are important distinctions between the two. These include:
Technology
One requirement for delivering an online presentation is computer technology. It serves as a platform for interaction between the presenter and the audience. Typically, teleconferencing software is used, either installed directly onto each participant’s computer or accessed through a web browser. Such software frequently enables the presenter to share their computer screen, silence the audience members’ microphones, and unobtrusively answer questions from the audience via a text-based chat feature.
Despite being frequently used, computer technology is not strictly required to deliver an in-person presentation. It would be perfectly acceptable to use handmade visuals on an easel, a bound sheath of handouts, or live updates to a whiteboard in the room to support the presentation’s content. Even when presenters use computers, a slideshow is typically only displayed using presentation software. There is no medium of communication that the presentation uses to transmit ideas.
Body language
There is little to no concern about body language in an online presentation. The computer camera typically only captures the head and shoulders, and rarely do the hands or arms that are making gestures become visible. In addition, the presenter will probably use the majority of the screen time to show the audience their visual aids. The presenter may be visible in a tiny window on the screen, but the audience’s attention is likely focused on the information on the shared screen rather than the presenter.
In a face-to-face presentation, body language is crucial for communicating ideas The audience can observe the presenter’s entire body, allowing them to take in information about their gestures, posture, sight line, and standing style. The audience is more likely to view the presenter as authoritative and be receptive to their contents if they are standing firmly, making eye contact, and using their hands naturally to emphasize points.
Voice
When it comes to online presentations, the value of the presenter’s voice is higher due to the difference in the importance of body language. As previously stated, the presenter of an online presentation will probably use the majority of the screen time to share visual content that illustrates the main points of the talk. When there are only static visuals to concentrate on, the audience needs a stronger auditory presence to stay engaged. As a result, the speaker would profit from adopting a more animated delivery style that matches the visuals.
While vocal qualities are crucial for in-person presentations as well, their importance is roughly inversely correlated with the presenter’s body language and visual materials. The presenter can therefore afford to speak in a less authoritative and dynamic manner.
Content
Online presenters typically rely more on their presentation’s content to persuade audiences because they can’t use their physical presence or the charisma that works best in person. The key points of the presentation will likely be laid out for the audience during the presentation on the visual aids the presenter uses. As the presenter speaks, individual participants can more easily scrutinize, analyze, and draw conclusions about the information.
But in person, they can influence the audience members more skillfully by employing public speaking techniques. Although the style of delivery can be just as important as the presentation’s content, Data and images on the slides, which make up the visual content, are less direct and prominent, which allows the presenter’s personality to have more of a persuasive effect.
What is online presenting vs. in-person presenting?
Online presentation is the act of using teleconferencing software to deliver a prepared speech or talk with accompanying visual aids. When giving a presentation online, the audience members are watching from a distance, while the presenter is in a different location. When it’s impossible or undesirable to gather everyone in one place, such as during a public health emergency or when schedules don’t line up, it can be helpful to present in this way.
The conventional method of presenting involves having the audience and the presenter in the same place. Since the presenter is interacting face-to-face with the audience, there is no need for teleconferencing software to deliver the presentation. The presenter can more easily gauge the audience’s emotional responses because all members can see their posture, composure, and gestures.
Cons of online presenting
Additionally, there are a number of potential drawbacks to presenting online, including:
Audience distractions
Since everyone may be in a different geographic location when giving an online presentation, it’s possible that audience members will become distracted more easily. They can access the internet and use their phones without being seen. Distracted audience members aren’t being disruptive, but they’re also not paying attention to what the presenters are saying. It’s crucial to produce captivating visual content and practice a dynamic speaking style to help prevent this. The likelihood that the audience will concentrate on a presentation increases with its level of interest
Connectivity
Online presentations are prone to problems that may arise from inadequate technology because they rely on teleconferencing software. A slow internet connection can cause audio and visual lagging on both the presenter’s and the audience’s ends, which may make the content more difficult to understand. In addition to checking your computer and internet connection before giving the presentation, you can minimize connectivity issues by having and making known a backup plan that, at the very least, prevents audience members from missing the material, such as recording it and giving members the information to access it later.
Lack of presence
Sometimes a presenter’s lack of physical presence can be detrimental. When it comes to pitching ideas, for instance, some ideas’ worth isn’t immediately obvious unless a person can demonstrate it through their charisma and in-person vigor. It might be helpful to devote more energy to writing powerful descriptions, producing top-notch visuals for your presentation slides, and honing your forceful delivery in order to get past this obstacle.
Pros of online presenting
Presenting online has some advantages over in-person presenting. These include:
Accessibility
One of the biggest benefits of online presentations is that you can deliver them from any location, and audience members can access them from any location where they have an internet connection. Schedule coordination isn’t as necessary because travel and its related preparations are removed. The experience can be more convenient for everyone involved.
More focus on content
Online presentations put more emphasis on the content because there is no requirement for a physical presence. The change in emphasis may act as an equalizing factor, enabling speakers with less experience to emphasize the value of their ideas. A presenter can still share their ideas publicly and receive a favorable response even without having a commanding physical presence or feeling at ease speaking in front of others.
Less pressure
The pressure associated with public speaking can be lessened by the greater emphasis on content when presenting online. Traditionally, getting ready for a presentation entails memorizing and studying notes, practicing lines, and perfecting gestures. However, an online presenter typically works while seated in front of a computer, reading directly from notes that are placed in front of them, and largely disguising themselves from view. For these reasons, individuals who are averse to public speaking may find that online presentations are especially beneficial.
Ability to revisit
A recording feature that saves the presentation as a video file is present in many of the teleconferencing programs used for online presentations. It prevents those who couldn’t watch the presentation in real time from being excluded and allows audience members to revisit the content whenever they’d like. This feature enables the audience to more thoroughly and patiently consider the presentation material in addition to the clearer, more prominent conveyance of visual content during the presentation.
Pros of in-person presenting
Some benefits of giving a presentation in person as opposed to online include the following:
Engagement
The audience’s interest in a presentation is frequently increased when the presenter can look around the room and see the audience in person. Engagement is crucial when the speaker wants to get questions or feedback from the audience. An in-person audience is more likely to respond quickly, while a remote audience may be reluctant to speak up when asked.
Contact
When a presentation is given in person, the presenter can benefit from the proximity of the audience by making physical contact with them. This benefit would be clear in a presentation that features a sample product or prototype. The item would be passed around by the presenter so that audience members could touch it and get a close-up view of it.
Personality
An audience is more likely to recognize and connect with a presenter’s personality when they are face to face. This may help the speaker communicate their ideas better. Typically, an audience that likes the presenter will be more receptive to what they have to say.
Post-presentation opportunities
When a live presentation concludes and the audience members start leaving the room, those who want to stick around and talk to the presenter can do so. These opportunities allow the speaker to elaborate on points made during the presentation, offer additional data that advances their objectives, or plan to meet with audience members later for additional discussion. Online presentations don’t rule out post-presentation opportunities, but they may be less common because teleconference ending procedures frequently involve the presenter leaving first to signal the presentation’s end.
Cons of in-person presenting
Additionally, there are a number of difficulties with in-person presentations, including but not restricted to:
Preparation
In-person presentations are more holistic because they require not only a compelling speaking style and excellent visuals but also a strong physical presence and fluid movements. A greater amount of preparation may therefore be necessary. Having 30 to 60 minutes of preparation for every minute of your presentation is a helpful rule of thumb. Therefore, you can anticipate spending at least two full workdays on tasks like creating your visuals, reviewing them, and practicing your talk for a 30-minute presentation.
Presenter distractions
While in-person presentations can distract the presenter, online presentations might distract the audience. You can hear or see the audience’s sounds, movements, and reactions when you’re face-to-face with them. Your confidence while delivering your presentation could be affected by someone sighing or shifting in their seat, which could ultimately affect the presentation’s quality. Staying focused on giving a strong presentation can prevent discouragement. To increase audience engagement, if necessary, alter your speech or body language.
Timing
A live presentation requires precise timing, and it’s possible that influential people won’t be able to attend. Additionally, the process of filming and uploading the presentation calls for additional tools and steps that could be difficult. Start coordinating schedules as soon as possible to avoid or resolve serious timing issues. If possible, talk with the audience members you hope to see about the best times to perform.
Good Presentation VS Bad Presentation *
FAQ
Why is presenting in person better than online?
When you give a speech in person, the audience can see every aspect of you, including your voice, gestures, body language, and the words you use to convey your ideas. You can assess the “energy” in the space, which is nearly impossible when you’re remote. The audience sees a smaller version of you online.
Is it better to take public speaking online or in person?
Online courses that are recorded are excellent for learning public speaking. It’s a way to get tips and information down quickly. You have probably taken an online course at Udemy, Coursera, or even on a private platform before.
What is a good reason to deliver a presentation online instead of face to face?
Reciprocation from the audience It frequently seems more casual and effortless (or less effort-full) than face-to-face presenting. The audience may pay less attention to and less thought to the presentation if it doesn’t seem or appear to be as significant as we intended.
What are some challenges of presenting online?
- Technical Difficulties. Technical issues will be our first virtual presentation challenge for today.
- Distracted Attendees. …
- Impersonal Experience. …
- Lack of Engagement. …
- Flying Blind.
