The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden shift to remote work for a significant portion of the workforce, with some companies now working from home completely. Public speaking can cause anxiety, and that hasn’t changed, even if the presentations are virtual. Learning to adjust and speak from the comfort of your home office or living room can make your virtual meetings productive and successful.
Modifying your speaking style, background and lighting can keep a presentation or meeting professional. The online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Studies program from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) can help you prepare vital communication skills for a broad range of professional roles and present them with ease to peers and potential clients.
Tips to Make a First-Rate Presentation
The content, speaking style, preparation, background, lighting, attire and interaction are all factors in a top-notch presentation. Here are some tips to improve your public speaking during a virtual event:
- Practice. Prepare your presentation in advance to keep on track and ensure the entire experience runs smoothly. Practice your speech multiple times in front of trusted friends or family members, if possible. When you put in deliberate practice and preparation, viewers will notice.Imagine possible questions that can arise from the topic you’re presenting and prepare answers. Avoid being caught off guard. NKU’s online B.A. in Communication Studies program can help you approach presentations proactively. For example, the Public Speaking course introduces you to the oral communication process and how to convey your ideas coherently and compellingly.
- Remember that less is more. Don’t rely on wordy PowerPoint slides to deliver your message. Great presenters keep their slides light on content. Reduce visual clutter and focus on a few slides that include images with text. Audiences are more likely to remember information associated with images than bullet points.
- Practice vocal delivery. Speakers with monotone voices tend to bore their audience. When you vary the pitch and speed of your voice, you can be a more effective speaker and come off as knowledgeable and confident. In courses like Advanced Public Speaking and Strategies of Persuasion, students learn to adapt their delivery and style to improve their appeal and persuade audiences.
- Focus on the details. Seemingly minor details, such as your video background and lighting, can positively impact the virtual meeting. Settings with natural light, rather than overhead artificial sources, are ideal. A ring light can warm up your features and make your presentation inviting.
If you choose to use a background in your home office or living room, be sure to organize the area. If you’d rather not show the audience your home, opt for a virtual background that fits your presentation. The outward-facing nature of roles like business development and sales often calls for branded or pre-approved backgrounds. - Dress for success. As cheesy as it sounds, ditching the pajamas and bathrobe for appropriate work attire can change your attitude and help you feel more confident and motivated while you present.
- Engage your audience. Beginning a presentation with a surprising statistic, a joke, a quote or a question can captivate your audience immediately. You can choose interesting visual aids, tell a story or even use a prop to attract and engage the audience.
Consider encouraging your audience to ask questions through the chat option. Tell them you’ll answer all inquiries after the presentation if it helps you stay focused or meet time limits. If you’re comfortable taking questions on the fly, let the audience know. Stating your preference at the start is a way to set the tone for what follows.
Perfect Your Presentation Skills in a Communication Studies Program
Clear and effective presentations can help you appeal to potential investors, boost your standing in the workplace or take advantage of career advancement opportunities. The online B.A. in Communication Studies program from NKU can equip you with crucial skills to develop and deliver messages clearly and effectively to various audiences.
Learn more about NKU’s online B.A. in Communication Studies program.
