How to Make Virtual Presentations Engaging

One great presentation can do what multiple applications can't. Over the years, my presentations have earned awards, speaking invitations, and opportunities I never applied for. Most recently, at MAA MathFest 2024, someone from the audience approached me and said: "Your talk was so engaging. You made such a complex topic accessible." On the spot, he invited me to speak to high school students in Chicago. Full expenses paid + speaker fee. Here is the framework I use every single time... (You might want to save this.) 1. Know your audience before you make a single slide → Kids? Public? Policy makers? Academics? → Your job is to design your talk to suit them. → Picture one person in the audience, let's call them "Bola." 2. Map out the entire talk first → Write the takeaway from each slide in one sentence. → Connect each slide logically to the next. → Ask yourself: Will Bola digest this information? 3. Ditch the jargon → Would Bola understand this? → If not, go back to the drawing board. → Use simple, plain English. 4. Make it visual → One message per slide. Big font. Bullet points. → Use visuals or illustrations instead of text (if possible.)  → The moment your audience starts reading your slides, you've lost them. 5. Practice as you build each slide → After creating each slide, ask: What will I say here? → This reveals what to add, remove, or fix as you go. → Once done, practice the full presentation again. 6. Never read off your slides during delivery → Deliver like you're telling a story. → Everything on screen is just supporting visuals. → Know your slides inside out. Keep eye contact. 7. Use your body language intentionally → Don't stare at the ceiling, ground, or stand frozen. → Your movement and energy speak louder than words. → This automatically communicates confidence and authority. Great presentations aren’t about showing how smart you are. They’re about making your audience feel something... curiosity, clarity, and inspiration. That’s what makes you memorable. And that’s what opens doors. --- PS: What's ONE thing that's helped you improve your presentations? PPS: Want to see this framework in action? Link to the Chicago talk is in the comments. ♻️ REPOST if this was useful. Thanks!

As an employer branding consultant, I've collaborated on over 300 virtual internship program info sessions hosted by early career recruiting teams. Here's what stood out from the top performing events and what I recommend: 1. Audience Engagement Students already have to sit in hour long lectures, they don't want to do the same at your information sessions. Switch things up by asking questions in the chat throughout the session or having a live Q&A. 2. Clear call-to-action That can look like: →  Sharing a link to a resume drop/your talent community sign up page so they can submit interest → Collecting emails to send a post event email with more resources/information about your programs and how to apply →  Providing an unique application link that tracks that they applied after attending your event →  Sharing a link to your early careers page if your roles are currently live so they can apply 3. Early talent employee panels Attendees want to hear from your past interns and entry level employees about what life is like at your company. They trust that they're going to be honest/keep it real with them, can see themselves in their shoes, and it's someone they can reach out to post-event for more insights on how to apply. I've listened in on a few of these and employees always give the best application advice that you can't find online! Who better to attract Gen Z than Gen Z? 😉 Pro-tip You can repurpose the testimonials shared by the panelists into content for your social channels, quotes to include on your early career website, etc. 🔥 One of my formulas for a ✨ perfect ✨ virtual information sessions: 15 mins of a company/program overview hosted by the recruiters + 20 min employee panel + 10-15 for live audience Q&A/answering questions submitted from the event RSVP form 👀 Students, what do you wish to see more of at virtual information sessions for early career programs you're interested in? #earlycareerrecruiting #infosessions #earlycareer #internships #employerbranding

Ever notice how some leaders seem to have a sixth sense for meeting dynamics while others plow through their agenda oblivious to glazed eyes, side conversations, or everyone needing several "bio breaks" over the course of an hour? Research tells us executives consider 67% of virtual meetings failures, and a staggering 92% of employees admit to multitasking during meetings. After facilitating hundreds of in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions, I've developed my "6 E's Framework" to transform the abstract concept of "reading the room" into concrete skills anyone can master. (This is exactly what I teach leaders and teams who want to dramatically improve their meeting and presentation effectiveness.) Here's what to look for and what to do: 1. Eye Contact: Notice where people are looking (or not looking). Are they making eye contact with you or staring at their devices? Position yourself strategically, be inclusive with your gaze, and respectfully acknowledge what you observe: "I notice several people checking watches, so I'll pick up the pace." 2. Energy: Feel the vibe - is it friendly, tense, distracted? Conduct quick energy check-ins ("On a scale of 1-10, what's your energy right now?"), pivot to more engaging topics when needed, and don't hesitate to amplify your own energy through voice modulation and expressive gestures. 3. Expectations: Regularly check if you're delivering what people expected. Start with clear objectives, check in throughout ("Am I addressing what you hoped we'd cover?"), and make progress visible by acknowledging completed agenda items. 4. Extraneous Activities: What are people doing besides paying attention? Get curious about side conversations without defensiveness: "I see some of you discussing something - I'd love to address those thoughts." Break up presentations with interactive elements like polls or small group discussions. 5. Explicit Feedback: Listen when someone directly tells you "we're confused" or "this is exactly what we needed." Remember, one vocal participant often represents others' unspoken feelings. Thank people for honest feedback and actively solicit input from quieter participants. 6. Engagement: Monitor who's participating and how. Create varied opportunities for people to engage with you, the content, and each other. Proactively invite (but don't force) participation from those less likely to speak up. I've shared my complete framework in the article in the comments below. In my coaching and workshops with executives and teams worldwide, I've seen these skills transform even the most dysfunctional meeting cultures -- and I'd be thrilled to help your company's speakers and meeting leaders, too. What meeting dynamics challenge do you find most difficult to navigate? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments! #presentationskills #virualmeetings #engagement

As a Data guy, I had certain beliefs about presenting. I feel icky admitting this, but I used to think... "Can I impress them with my charts and graphs?" If you've ever seen a data analyst present, you've seen this. Data Analysts love their charts and graphs. But the truth is... Pretty graphics don't win people over, especially Senior Leaders. My problem was... my ego. And it actually made me a ball of nerves. So why does this matter to you? Because when presenting is about YOU, it's all wrong. Being impressive isn't about great slides... being extra funny or sarcastic... or having a one line zinger... Business leaders aren't impressed by this. Here's the key that changed everything… Your Leaders want Team Members who know this: Great business presentations are about being RELEVANT for your audience. Here are 5 ways to be more RELEVANT when speaking... so you can engage your audience and win them over. (See if you see the common thread.) 1️⃣ Start with their priorities Don’t open with your outline. Start with what they care about. 2️⃣ Use their language and examples Skip buzzwords. Speak in terms they already use day-to-day. 3️⃣ Answer: what does this mean for them? After every key point, tie it to... what and why it matters to them. 4️⃣ Prioritize what impacts their world Cut anything that’s irrelevant... Oh, and don't think emotions don't matter Every leader makes decisions with some emotion. 5️⃣ Tailor your visuals and data to your audience Your examples and slides should reflect... their world, not yours. Did you see the common thread? Notice how being engaging & impressive is about THEM! Yes, great communicators know it's about the audience! Focus on SERVING them and you'll engage (and impress) them. Why? Because... Serving others reduces nerves (and your ego). Relevance to your audience earns attention. Speaking in their language builds credibility. Was there one of the 5 that stood out to you? - - - - - If we haven't met, I'm Cooper, and I help business professionals grow their confidence & credibility when speaking and presenting. +Follow me for more actionable tips.

I led a webinar last week that included 17 moments of audience interaction — that’s one every 3 ½ minutes. How did we do it? Not through breakouts or fancy polling software, but through the humble chat window. Here’s how we used it and why I love it. We used chat: * 5 times for fill-in-the-blank answers to my questions. * 3 times for yes/no answer to my questions. * 3 times for sharing their answers in brainstorming exercises. * 2 times for answering a series of quick questions. * once for answering an open-ended question. * once for a quick individual exercise. * once where I invited a volunteer to walk us through an exercise; and * once at the end for 10 minutes of Q&A. And here’s what I love about it. The chat window is: * Active — the opposite of passive, it gives people something to do. * Simple — anyone can use it.  * Instant — no “dead air” while waiting for poll results. * Flexible — people can jump into the conversation or just read along. * Unfiltered — no moderator is screening the content. * Non-hierarchical — people can share their own ideas and talk with each other. * Enlightening — participants learn from each other. * Energizing — seeing and calling out the waterfall of comments lends energy to the occasion. * Validating — it’s a real-time indicator of people’s engagement. Remember: the best presentations are a conversation, not a lecture.

You're hosting another webinar. The chat's dead silent. Half your attendees are probably scrolling through their phones. And you can practically hear people dropping off like flies. Sound familiar? It's time to wake the hell up and revolutionize your webinar game. I've been there. We've all been there. Boring, one-way presentations that put people to sleep faster than a bottle of NyQuil. But in 2024, if your webinars aren't engaging, interactive, and valuable as f*ck, you're wasting everyone's time - including your own. Here are 5 ways to turn your webinars from snoozefests into can't-miss experiences: 1. Ditch the monologue: Stop talking AT people. Start conversations. Use real-time polls, Q&As, and breakout rooms. Get people involved or get out of the game. 2. Bring the energy: If you're not excited, why the hell should your audience be? Pump up the enthusiasm, use storytelling, and for God's sake, show some personality! 3. Less is more: Cut the fluff. Focus on ONE core message and drill it home. Give people actionable takeaways they can implement immediately. 4. Make it visual: Our brains are wired for visuals. Use dynamic slides, live demos, and even props. Anything to break up the monotony and keep eyes glued to the screen. 5. Create FOMO: Exclusive content, limited-time offers, or guest experts. Give people a reason to show up live instead of watching the recording (if you even offer one). I remember when we overhauled our webinar strategy at VaynerMedia. We went from typical corporate snoozefests to high-energy, interactive experiences. Attendance shot up. Engagement went through the roof. And most importantly, our audience started getting real, tangible value. Here's the thing: Webinars aren't just about delivering information. They're about creating experiences that stick with people. That inspire action. That make people feel like they're part of something bigger. So here's my challenge to you: Take a hard look at your next webinar. Are you truly creating value? Are you engaging your audience in meaningful ways? Or are you just going through the motions? It's time to step up or step out. The days of boring, one-way webinars are over. Your audience deserves better, and frankly, so do you. What's one way you're going to make your next webinar more engaging? Drop it in the comments.

I have a confession to make. I have been guilty of putting people to sleep during my presentations. Unfortunately, not once, but many times. I could blame it on the complexities of tech topics or the dryness of the subject. I could always console myself by saying that at least it's not as sleep-inducing as financial presentations (sorry, my friends in Finance). Deep down, though, I knew that even the most complicated and dry topics could come alive. As with anything, it's a skill and can be improved upon. Thus, I turned to my friend Christopher Chin, Communication Coach for Tech Professionals, for some much-needed advice. He shared these 5 presentation tips guaranteed to leave a lasting impression: 1/ Speak to Their Needs, Not Your Wants Don’t just say what you like talking about or what your audience wants to hear. Say what your audience needs to hear based on their current priorities and pain points: that sets your presentation up to be maximally engaging 2/ Slides Support, You Lead Slides are not the presentation. You are the presentation. Your slides should support your story and act as visual reinforcement rather than as the main star of the show.  Consider holding off on making slides until you have your story clear. That way, you don’t end up making more slides than you need or making slides more verbose than you need 3/ Start with a Bang, Not a Whisper The beginning of a presentation is one of the most nerve-wracking parts for you as the speaker and one of the most attention-critical parts for your audience. If you don’t nail the beginning, there’s a good chance you lose the majority of people. Consider starting with something that intrigues your audience, surprises them, concerns them, or makes them want to learn more. 4/ Think Conversation, Not Presentation One-way presentations where the speaker just talks “at” the audience lead to dips in attention and poorer reception of the material. Consider integrating interactive elements like polls and Q&A throughout a presentation (rather than just at the very end) to make it feel more like a conversation. 5/ Finish Strong with a Clear CTA We go through all the effort of preparing, creating, and delivering a presentation to cause some change in behavior. End with a powerful call to action that reminds your audience why they were in attendance and what they should do as soon as they leave the room. By integrating these, you won't just present; you'll captivate. Say goodbye to snoozing attendees and hello to a gripped audience. 😴 Repost if you've ever accidentally put someone to sleep with a presentation. We've all been there!

In March 2020, the world changed overnight—and so did how we connect. Suddenly, all my speaking engagements were online. At first, I struggled. How do you capture the same energy, the same connection, through a screen? It was a steep learning curve, but the lessons were invaluable. The key to standing out in virtual presentations is mastering small details that make a big difference. I learned to treat my camera like a person—making eye contact and speaking directly to it, as if addressing a live audience. Visuals became essential—not just slides, but dynamic content to keep people engaged. And I realized that virtual interaction is possible, using polls, Q&As, and even acknowledging the online setting made my presentations feel more connected. If you're navigating this new world, remember that virtual doesn’t mean "less." It requires more attention to detail, creativity, and effort. But when done right, a virtual presentation can be just as powerful as one in person, if not more. Ready to stand out in your next virtual presentation? Focus on eye contact with the camera, use engaging visuals, and keep your audience involved. Drop your virtual presentation tips in the comments below! P.S. Want more strategies to improve your public speaking skills as an entrepreneur? Follow Ham Sebunya and check out my book on public speaking at https://HamsB4.com!

How energetic are your presentations? On a scale from 1 to 10? In my CEO coachings, I always ask this question. The answer is usually 7-8. Then we record a presentation and review. The reaction? “OMG, there’s no energy.” What feels like a high-octane 8 is often a meh 5. The problem: If the presenter doesn’t bring the energy, the audience won’t feel it either. As a result, they lose interest. “If you aren’t passionate about this, why should I be?” they wonder. Rightly so. Here are 7 strategies you can use to energize your next presentation: 🔋 Flip Your Energy Switch ⤷ Before you start, move, jump around, drink coffee - whatever works for you. (Unless you are nervous. In that case: breathe and relax.) 🔊 Ensure it Feels “Over the Top” ⤷ Your delivery must feel over the top. If the energy level feels right, it is usually too low.  🪝 Start Strong with a Hook ⤷ First impressions! Grab your audience’s attention from the start. Avoid low-energy introductions like “thank you, my name is, today we talk about …” 🤸 Move Your Body ⤷ Don’t be a statue. Use purposeful movements and gestures to emphasize key points.   🎶 Vary Your Tone and Pace ⤷ Energy isn’t about speed alone; it’s about contrast. Change your tone, volume, and pace to keep your audience tuned in. 👂 Use Attention Hooks Throughout  ⤷ Use stories or unanswered questions every 2 minutes to keep the audience engaged.  👥 Involve the Audience ⤷ Ask questions, encourage responses, and create a dialogue. Engagement isn’t just about you—make it a two-way street! ♻️ Please share with your network and follow Oliver Aust for more practical tips on leadership communication.

Over the last few weeks, I've facilitated dozens of virtual classes in Microsoft Teams. While I still prefer the user-friendliness of Zoom, the reliability of WebEx, and the custom layouts found in Adobe Connect, here are three specific things I've been doing to make Teams a more engaging virtual learning environment: 📽️ Themes! By enabling the meeting themes option in my Teams account, I customize the pre-join screen (see below for an example) to help participants get ready to learn. 🧭 Meeting Options! By adjusting the default roles in the Teams meeting options, I ensure that all participants join as ''attendees" and my producer joins as the "co-organizer." These settings make the learning experience run smoothly for everyone. 🤝 Breakout Rooms! By quickly moving participants into very small groups (pairs or trios) near the start of the session, they form social bonds that enhance engagement. I'll give them 5 or 6 minutes to briefly share their response to a topic-related question... just enough time to start building a connection that will continue throughout the session. Logistically, I've been using Teams' chat to share JPG files to each room with activity instructions. How about you?? What Teams-specific tips have you discovered to create engaging virtual learning programs? #virtualfacilitation #virtuallearning #msteams #onlinelearning #engagement