Delivering presentations is an important tool for most people in sales and relationship management roles. Presentations allow us to convey information in a setting designed to drive concurrence and action.

Having spent much of our careers honing the skills necessary to deliver exceptional presentations, the rug has been pulled out from under us. Now, instead of being face-to-face with our audience reading their reactions to our message, we have to do most of our presentations virtually.

Here are a few ideas to help maximize the effectiveness of your virtual presentations:


Lift your camera closer to eye level, so that the angle of your camera allows the audience to see you and gauge your sincerity, expertise, and enthusiasm.
Get the lighting right, so that your face is illuminated and "eye contact" is maximized.
Consider your background so that distractions are minimized, and you are highly visible.
Master the technology. Nothing detracts from your effectiveness more than struggling with the technology. Try to steer the meeting to your preferred platform or make time to get familiar with your customer's platform, so that you can share your deck, view webcams, and mute/unmute accordingly.
Test your sound and use a USB mic or ear buds if needed to make sure your sound is sufficient.
Check in often and by name with your audience to ensure audience attention. It is one way to feel more connected in an environment where you generally feel less connected.
Stand and deliver. If you can make it work in your virtual setting, try to stand when you deliver your presentation. The way you use your voice when you stand is different, and you will come across more effectively and more enthusiastically.
Rehearse! To make effective eye contact in a virtual presentation, you must look at the camera. That means that reading a script or notes will have a negative impact on the audience. Rehearse to master the content, and confidence will follow.


At a time when audiences are experiencing virtual meeting burnout, we can stand apart from others by honing these critical skills.