How and why to avoid the big temptation in virtual presenting
There’s a lot to dislike about all-virtual communication: we can’t read audience cues, fatigue from being on camera all day, missing the moments of connection and small talk when filtering into a conference room. But there’s one area that speakers are finding much easier to do than in person – reading from a script.
“They can’t tell that I have my notes up! I couldn’t do this in person.”
Oh but they can.
Why reading doesn’t work. Your eyes give you away. You’re not looking at the camera (the audience) and your energy evaporates. Because you’re focused on reading the next word, you’re not connecting to the audience. This gives a flat-affect, which everyone picks up on.
Now more than ever, your audience wants authenticity. They’re not looking for perfection. In fact, one of the best webinars I ran this year involved no fewer than 4 technical glitches. Nearly all of the participants stayed for Q&A well after it ended to continue the conversation. If you trip over a word or take a moment to pause and collect your thoughts, chances are your audience won’t even notice.
But I also know that work is harder now. It can be a struggle to find your executive presence when you’re always working from home.
Here are 4 things you can do to jog your memory, elevate your energy and let your true authentic self come through via Zoom:
- Stand during your next video conference (if possible). Your hand gestures will feel more natural. Pairing movement with words makes it easier to remember what to say.
- Look at the camera when speaking. This is the closest we’re going to get to replicating making eye contact..
- Rehearse aloud. Practice when you’re away from the computer and feel free to multitask when moving through laundry, dishes, or dog walking.
- Create an analog teleprompter. Create the prop that politicians reply on by getting out a sharpie and writing the words, phrases or doodles that will remind you of the key points of your talk. Place this cue card on the opposite wall at eye level so when you do need a quick reminder, it’s a seamless transition.
Speaking from a script may save you some time because you don’t feel as if you need to rehearse. But your message won’t resonate, which is the whole point of speaking.
And if you’re really pressed for time – and you have the latitude to do so – send your colleagues a memo on your topic or a presentation that has enough content so that it can “stand on its own” and does not require a voiceover. Ask them to spend 15-20 minutes reading beforehand and then once the meeting begins, start asking questions and encourage colleagues to do the same.
