# Presenting Virtually  ## Metadata - Author: [[Patti Sanchez]] - Full Title: Presenting Virtually - Category: #books ## Highlights - the majority of teleworkers (65%) think a combination of video and instant messaging is a suitable alternative to in-person communication. ([Location 88](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=88)) - We’ve all seen people stumble with the technology—struggling to unmute themselves after being introduced, accidentally showing the wrong file when trying to bring up their slides, totally missing chats from attendees because too many windows were open on the presenter’s screen. But even moderately tech-savvy speakers grapple with challenges like getting their lighting right, minimizing background noise, and remembering to look into the camera instead of at their slides. ([Location 109](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=109)) ### Context Understand the Virtual Medium - Marshall McLuhan argued that each time a new medium appears, it brings with it four effects, all at once. The new medium: •  Enhances communication •  Retrieves some aspects of earlier media •  Obsolesces, or displaces, other forms of media •  Reverses, or overturns, its original benefits if overused ([Location 147](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=147)) - That distance has its drawbacks: It can dilute the speaker’s impact, make the audience feel isolated, and allow myriad distractions ([Location 161](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=161)) - speakers can reach broader audiences and connect more intimately with large groups than they would in person. Digital tools also give speakers new ways to creatively express their ideas and transform how they communicate. ([Location 163](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=163)) #### Analyze the Challenges - An occasional internet hiccup on either end can cause video to freeze or audio to become garbled, making it harder for your message to come across clearly. Also, the audience may have minimized the window in which they view your presentation, further diminishing your presence. ([Location 177](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=177)) - Making some basic upgrades—for instance, investing in the highest-speed internet available, a fast computer with extra processing power, and a professional microphone and camera—can take your presentation up a notch so you’ll lose less in translation. ([Location 183](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=183)) - In a 2020 study by HR services firm JDP, 54% of over 2,000 Americans who had recently switched to remote work said they were more distracted at home, and 29% said they were more distracted at the office. ([Location 190](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=190)) - When an interruption occurs, you’ve lost your audience’s focus, and it’s up to you to win it back. To do that, use novelty as a device to regain people’s attention. Our brains are always on the alert for changes in our environment. ([Location 195](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=195)) - inject some element of change into your virtual presentation—include an image in your slides that’s unlike the others, alter your tone of voice, invite people to interact with you in a new way ([Location 198](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=198)) - Novel stimuli and experiences flood the brain with dopamine, the chemical associated with rewards, like good food, good music, and good times. Dopamine makes us happier and, as neuroscientists have discovered, accelerates learning. ([Location 200](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=200)) #### Explore the Benefits - But in a virtual setting, you’re in much closer proximity to your viewers—maybe a foot or two away. When looking into your camera while sitting at a laptop, you can gaze through the lens, into their eyes, as easily as a friend chatting over a cup of coffee. ([Location 245](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=245)) - But eye contact is essential to make your message feel direct and personal, which deepens your connection with your audience. ([Location 249](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=249)) - Virtual proximity makes your face clearly visible, too, so be mindful of what you’re conveying there. ([Location 260](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=260)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Through subtle facial expressions, you, too, can engage people with emotional nuances that would get lost at a greater distance. If you’re excited to share a big idea or sad to bear disappointing news, they’ll see it and feel it. ([Location 264](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=264)) - Tags: [[favorite]] #### Embrace the New Golden Rule - Never deliver a virtual presentation that is less engaging than it would have been in person. ([Location 297](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=297)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Building dynamic audio into your virtual presentation—by varying the pitch, tone, volume, and pace of your own voice, and incorporating others’ voices when appropriate—can mesmerize your audience, too. ([Location 311](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=311)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Note: Vocal variety and modulation is key to keep audience’s attention in your message. - Kovacs would sometimes interrupt a comedy sketch to look straight into the camera and address the audience directly, or he’d have the camera follow him as he went backstage to his “real” office and invited viewers to come right in. ([Location 325](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=325)) - Pay special attention to your facial expressions to convey the feelings you want to express, whether that’s seriousness, excitement, surprise, or delight. Also consider how you can use your hands and physical gestures to underscore key points. ([Location 335](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=335)) - Note: Non-verbal communication engages with people by connecting to emotions. #### Case study How tech leaders pivoted to virtual events - After the live sessions, online attendees could explore rooms in a virtual expo center to learn about featured products and pose questions ([Location 372](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=372)) - Borrowing a concept from software development known as “follow the sun”—where development happens around the clock—Microsoft’s event organizers conceived the conference as a 24/7 television network that would broadcast content at all hours of the day and night, featuring a mix of live and pre-recorded sessions emceed by live “anchors.” ([Location 392](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=392)) ### Strategy Plan Your Presentation - speechwriters won’t start tapping out the first words of a script until they’ve considered the speaker’s goals, explored the audience’s needs, and defined the big idea that needs to be communicated. ([Location 415](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=415)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - designers spend time thinking conceptually about style, format, and likely use cases before they even open up a slide making app. ([Location 417](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=417)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - But speaking remotely adds another wrinkle to your planning: You’ll also have to consider the various settings and situations people may be in when they’re watching you. ([Location 420](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=420)) - first identify your goals for the audience: how you want them to think and feel during your presentation and what you want them to do when it’s over. ([Location 422](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=422)) - They may choose to accept or reject your ideas, amplify or ridicule them, take action or not. ([Location 429](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=429)) - To conjure up a clear picture, consider not only who these people are but also how they might receive or resist the messages you share with them. ([Location 432](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=432)) - Imagine what thoughts and feelings they are likely to have on the topic before you’ve spoken about it. Then think about how you would like to see their thoughts, feelings, and actions change after you’re done speaking. ([Location 438](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=438)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Move From Move To By ([Location 461](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=461)) - Note: Thoughts, feelings and actions - Be sure your virtual communication platform offers assistive technologies like closed-captioning, transcripts, and written descriptions of visuals (or “alt text”). ([Location 496](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=496)) #### Choose Your Format - Persuasive communication is a dynamic process. It begins when a person has a message to “send” and kicks things off, but it quickly becomes a give-and-take with the people who “receive” that message. ([Location 508](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=508)) - According to social judgement theory, people respond differently to ideas they find acceptable versus unacceptable. ([Location 513](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=513)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - If you think your audience is fairly close to agreeing with you, it might be fine to simply communicate information and not gather feedback. ([Location 521](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=521)) - But if they are likely to be neutral at best or resistant at worst, you may need to warm them up to your idea by engaging them in dialogue about it. ([Location 522](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=522)) - You have three basic format options: linear, interactive, or collaborative ([Location 526](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=526)) - A linear presentation is what it sounds like—a presentation that follows a straight line from speaker to audience. This approach works best for times when you need to disseminate information to a large audience all at once without interruption, such as when you’re making an announcement or giving people an update. ([Location 528](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=528)) - An interactive presentation brings the audience into the fold by inviting two-way communication between them and the speaker. This approach is common in talks that are designed to immerse people in a topic and engage them at length—for instance, webinars, keynotes, participatory lectures, or panel discussions. ([Location 583](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=583)) - The less polished, the better, because unfinished graphics will signal that your ideas are still in development and stretchy enough to accommodate your audience’s ideas as well. ([Location 595](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=595)) #### Communicate in Multiple Dimensions - Once you have considered your audience’s needs and decided which format will serve them best, you’re ready to start planning the virtual presentation itself. ([Location 604](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=604)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - When sharing a moment together, audiences feel a communal energy known as “collective effervescence,” ([Location 616](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=616)) - as you tell that story, invite them in by making eye contact through the camera and leaning forward in your chair. Or smile and hold your hands out wide in an open stance so your audience will feel welcomed and included. ([Location 636](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=636)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - At Duarte, our term for carefully curating the layers of information within the viewer’s screen—the backdrop, the graphics, and the presenter—is the TriCast Method™ (Figure 9). “Tri,” of course, refers to the three layers, and “Cast” is short for “broadcast,” since viewers take in the presentation all at once, much as they would a video feed on a television screen. ([Location 656](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=656)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - The backdrop layer is what viewers see behind you. It shows the location you are speaking from, ([Location 663](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=663)) - The graphics layer (very broadly defined) includes any visuals that you show during your presentation, such as slides, whiteboards, or physical props. ([Location 668](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=668)) - How you conduct yourself while you’re speaking—your facial expressions and gestures, and the volume, pace, and pitch of your voice—will also convey information to the audience. ([Location 674](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=674)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ### Story Craft Content That Holds Attention - Research on learning in educational settings found that students start to lose focus 10 minutes into a lecture. ([Location 695](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=695)) - One video streaming service reports only 25% of viewers will finish watching a pre-recorded video that’s more than 20 minutes long. ([Location 699](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=699)) - Tags: [[favorite]] #### Make Your Content Consumable - “Content is increasing in volume, which exhausts our attention,” one of the researchers explained, “and our urge for ‘newness’ causes us to collectively switch between topics more regularly.” ([Location 711](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=711)) - Effective virtual presenters don’t overstay their welcome. ([Location 716](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=716)) - In a virtual setting, shorter is sweeter. ([Location 718](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=718)) - they prefer virtual presentations that are 30 minutes or less in length. ([Location 719](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=719)) - Giving participants opportunities to ask questions or chat with the speaker will motivate them to stay focused longer. ([Location 721](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=721)) - The more information we are given, the more it fills up our working memory, and when our working memory is filled too fast, we get overwhelmed and learning slows. ([Location 723](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=723)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Receiving information in smaller units allows our brains to process and remember it. ([Location 725](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=725)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Within your presentation, serve your content in bites that are easy to consume. This keeps audiences engaged ([Location 728](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=728)) - recapture your audience’s attention, because each time you transition to a new bite, it’ll register as novelty in people’s brains. ([Location 730](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=730)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - multiple scenes move the narrative forward—and each one must grab the audience, again and again, so they’ll continue watching until the show is over. ([Location 741](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=741)) - The three-act structure facilitates great storytelling. Act 1 is all about set-up: In the opening scenes, we meet the hero, learn about their goals, and discover the nature of the adventure that’s about to unfold. The scenes in Act 2 are filled with challenges: The hero has to fight obstacles and overcome self-doubt as they pursue the thing they want most. Act 3 is the resolution: In the final scenes, challenges are worked through (sometimes happily, sometimes not), and the hero is changed in some way by the end. ([Location 745](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=745)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - But in the “story” you’re telling, the audience is the hero. ([Location 750](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=750)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - In the middle, your second act, unpack your topic into a series of clearly defined subtopics that support your overall message. ([Location 753](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=753)) - In your third act, wrap up with a call to action and key takeaways for your audience. ([Location 754](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=754)) - An event program is essentially made of multiple chunks of content, often organized into tracks. Looking at content chunks this way can reveal larger themes to expand upon in other sessions at the event. ([Location 775](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=775)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - if you’re planning to share slides as you talk, limit yourself to one idea per slide so your audience will fully grasp each one. ([Location 788](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=788)) - Tags: [[favorite]] #### Fine-Tune Your Structure - “Duarte Presentation Sparkline™” (Figure 13).45 This persuasive structure draws inspiration from cinematic and literary storytelling techniques for creating and resolving tension. ([Location 800](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=800)) - Note: For linear or slightly interactive presentations. - The speaker repeatedly juxtaposes the current state (“what is”) against the future state (“what could be”). This heightens drama by building and releasing tension again and again, keeping the audience on edge until the conflict between the status quo and the new way is resolved. Finally, the speaker closes by telling the audience how they’ll benefit if they embrace the speaker’s promise or vision, also known as the “new bliss.” ([Location 803](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=803)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - At Duarte, we call this structure a “designed conversation” because it permits organic give-and-take while allowing the presenter to steer the dialogue with discussion prompts. ([Location 841](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=841)) - In a webinar on the same topic, after telling your story, you could ask people to type their reactions in the chat or invite several participants to turn on their mics to share stories before you propose a new way of thinking about inclusion in the workplace. ([Location 849](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=849)) - By nudging others to recall and share related tales from their own lives, story prompts can bring energy to collaborative presentations. Soon the stories will pop up like kernels of corn in a hot pan, and your virtual conversation will really be cooking. ([Location 854](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=854)) - An obvious approach is to include section breaks within your slide deck and use a different color or layout for those transition slides to show you’re moving to a new topic. Or you can put icons or other wayfinding symbols on slides to indicate which subtopic or section you are covering next. ([Location 859](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=859)) - “We’ve covered topic A and talked about topic B, so let’s dive into topic C next…” as a way to remind your audience of what they’ve learned so far. ([Location 866](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=866)) - Tags: [[favorite]] #### Manage Their Distractibility - Instead, our attention pulses off and on, like a strobe light, as rapidly as four times per second.48 That’s because our brains are always scanning the environment for threats or opportunities, things we want to avoid or approach.49 ([Location 896](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=896)) - Since novel experiences flood the brain with dopamine, the chemical associated with rewards and learning, you’ll stimulate positive feelings and open up minds from the get-go—putting yourself in a better position to compete with environmental interference. ([Location 901](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=901)) - Grabbing attention right away with a fresh turn of phrase, a surprising fact, or an unexpected observation—a device that writers call a “hook”—makes people want to dive in. ([Location 904](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=904)) - Engagement is often at its lowest point in the middle of a talk, after the initial novelty has worn off and the speaker settles into a predictable rhythm. ([Location 911](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=911)) - You’ll need to re-hook people throughout your talk by infusing variety into the midsection. Try mixing content types (stats, stories, quotes, analogies) and communication devices (charts, photos, videos, demos) when writing your presentation ([Location 912](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=912)) - For instance, when talking about a product, don’t simply explain it in a series of bulleted slides. Consider using an example or analogy to describe how it works conceptually, then show an architecture diagram of how it works, followed by a live demo of the product in action, ending with a testimonial video of a customer gushing about why they love it so much. Contrast keeps people watching. ([Location 928](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=928)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - If you’re presenting the results of a survey, highlight a revealing statistic on a simple number slide and then segue to a more detailed chart that backs up your claim. After that, you might tell a story about how you arrived at those insights, since facts paired with stories are often more memorable than facts alone.51 ([Location 931](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=931)) - A phenomenon known as the “primacy-recency effect” suggests that people can most easily remember the first thing(s) and the last thing(s) they heard.52 ([Location 938](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=938)) - Often speakers like to finish by summarizing their main messages, but the recency effect will still limit what an audience remembers most to the final points. So it’s important to issue a clear call to action at the very end. ([Location 942](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=942)) #### Orchestrate Purposeful Interactions - online audiences have been conditioned to make their voices heard even when someone else has the floor. ([Location 951](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=951)) - “promoting interaction” was the third most-important quality in an online gathering, after providing engaging content and having a clear structure. ([Location 956](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=956)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - To select the best method for engaging an audience, consider your goals for communicating with them and use that context to decide which tools fit the situation ([Location 963](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=963)) - Alternating among simple, moderate, and complex interactions can make the audience experience more interesting. You’ll add variety to your talk and boost the energy of your audience as they toggle from passive to active participants. ([Location 1011](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1011)) - use a simple interaction in the beginning to break the ice and warm people up before I ask more of them. ([Location 1028](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1028)) - In Duarte’s virtual training workshops, we do a combination of both: a short pre-workshop email with information about the platform we use and a reminder to download the latest software version, plus a quick orientation at the start of the meeting. ([Location 1034](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1034)) - Duarte’s research found that many people do in fact prefer the video camera to be on,56 letting them choose if they want to be visible or invisible is empathetic. ([Location 1042](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1042)) - It’s also helpful to reinforce those instructions on the slides themselves—perhaps with an icon of a microphone when it’s time for open discussion, or an icon of a pen on paper when it’s time for annotation or whiteboarding. ([Location 1046](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1046)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Have instructions written out ahead of time so you or your producer can quickly paste them into the chat. ([Location 1049](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1049)) - To stay focused on presenting your content, it helps to have a moderator or technical producer monitor comments and questions that come in, directly answer some of them, and keep track of others you should address during a Q&A at the end. ([Location 1052](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1052)) ### Visuals Design for All Dimensions - Because these brain processes work simultaneously and support each other, messages are easier to process when accompanied by visuals. ([Location 1069](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1069)) - However, this dual-coding process works only when words and visuals clearly reinforce each other and don’t compete for attention. ([Location 1073](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1073)) #### Curate Your Backdrop - You should curate your backdrop the way a director would set the scene for a film. ([Location 1084](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1084)) ##### Learn the art of scene-setting ##### Match your environment to the moment - Its raw style gives off an authentic and approachable vibe that fits informal communication like working sessions, project updates shared with colleagues, or quick video memos sent to employees. ([Location 1113](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1113)) - The extra investment is necessary for higher-stakes business situations like customer or investor pitches, all-hands meetings, or marketing webinars where brand image matters. ([Location 1152](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1152)) #### Design Your Graphics - Showing viewers where to focus is critical. Without guidance, people won’t know where to look when taking in multiple streams of visual information at once. They may have trouble following along when two windows are vying for their attention—your slides in one window and you in another. ([Location 1179](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1179)) - Creating readable slides is also a high priority. People may struggle to make out all the details if they watch your virtual presentation on a small monitor or device. ([Location 1181](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1181)) - Avoiding predictability matters, as well. If your slides are repetitive, it gets boring quick. ([Location 1182](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1182)) ##### Draw attention through hierarchy - One option is to share a single view with your audience, by showing only your slides while keeping your video camera off or by showing only your video with no slides. The main benefit of this singular view is that it lets your audience focus their eyes on just one thing so they can deeply immerse themselves in your ideas without having to split their attention. ([Location 1191](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1191)) - Going the video-only route will feel more intimate than slides-only, and it’s easier to produce—you can devote your energy to refining your script without having to worry about creating graphics. Beware, however, of letting low effort lull you into complacency. A video-only approach can be lackluster if your content isn’t compelling, or your speaking style is subdued. ([Location 1194](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1194)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Having some type of visual aid is especially important for presentations involving highly conceptual or complex content that needs to be seen to be understood, such as product overviews or financial updates. In those cases, you can share detailed slides but keep your video off so the graphics will be as large as possible. ([Location 1196](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1196)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Remember, though, that people can’t read text and listen to you at the same time. You’ll need to give your audience time to absorb what’s on your slide before beginning your verbal explanation. ([Location 1249](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1249)) - A concurrent view feels slightly more personal than slides-only, since the audience can still see the presenter’s face. ([Location 1257](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1257)) - Whether the fusing is automated or professionally done, be sure to rehearse how you interact with your visuals while maintaining eye contact to build rapport with your audience. ([Location 1270](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1270)) ##### Enhance impact with clarity and contrast - To keep things simple, remember this rule: include only one idea on each slide. ([Location 1276](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1276)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - A good way to gauge what will stand out most to your audience is to do a “glance test.”64 First, open your presentation and put it into slideshow mode. Then glance at each slide for three seconds, one at a time. If you can grasp what a slide is about that quickly, without scrambling to remember what you meant to convey, it passed the test. If not, trim the content. ([Location 1278](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1278)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Ask yourself, “What’s the one thing I want my audience to take away from this slide?” ([Location 1281](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1281)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Eliminate extra text or busy visual elements and make purposeful design decisions that allow your ideas to shine brightly. At Duarte, we call this giving your slides a “S.P.A. Treatment™”: simplifying, planning, and accentuating all the elements to create a pleasing visual experience ([Location 1284](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1284)) - First, simplify your visuals by removing everything except the most essential information required to communicate the main idea on each slide. ([Location 1295](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1295)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - you might put multiple charts onto separate slides and move wordy descriptions into notes that you will say rather than show. ([Location 1296](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1296)) - When you need to show a complex diagram, make the graphic as large as possible so the audience can carefully read and process the details. ([Location 1298](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1298)) - For visuals that can be read at a glance, aim for five to seven words per slide. ([Location 1301](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1301)) - Second, plan how best to convey the information that’s left by exploring different ways to visualize your ideas. ([Location 1304](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1304)) - Consider choosing a different chart type to display your data or turning words into visual concepts and metaphors to drive a point home. At this point, you should also enlarge the remaining text to be sure it’s readable on the smallest, simplest device that your audience might be using to view your presentation. ([Location 1305](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1305)) - For slides seen primarily on laptops or larger monitors, you can get away with a font size of 24 points. ([Location 1309](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1309)) - a font size of 32 points was more comfortable for people who were reading text slides on a mobile phone. ([Location 1311](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1311)) - Third, accentuate the right elements on your slide for maximum impact, using contrast to direct the audience’s attention where you want it to go. ([Location 1313](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1313)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - If you’re displaying a bar chart, for example, highlight key data points with color or bold typography and perhaps add a text callout (or “annotation”), to underscore the message. ([Location 1314](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1314)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - To check the level of contrast, view your slides in “grayscale” mode ([Location 1317](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1317)) - You can use contrast to hold attention, as well, by adding visual variety to your slides ([Location 1320](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1320)) - Changes in scenery will keep your audience interested. Instead of placing the same type of graphic on every slide, you might incorporate some photos or illustrations. ([Location 1321](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1321)) - Perhaps the background color in one section is blue while another section uses a green background. Even text-based slides can bring visual novelty to a presentation if you occasionally vary the text layout—for instance, by sprinkling in some slides with just a large phrase or a short statement instead of bullets. ([Location 1322](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1322)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - you should still use a coherent set of elements throughout your deck—like the same typeface family, a common color palette, and a consistent grid—to visually ground your content in a signature look. ([Location 1324](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1324)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Another way to add contrast to your virtual presentation is to use a surprising visual aid. ([Location 1329](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1329)) #### Plan Your Presence - All three layers of a virtual presentation—your backdrop, your graphics, and you—must work together. ([Location 1339](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1339)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - think of yourself as one more visual element to design. ([Location 1341](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1341)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ##### Pick your posture - If you’re going to sit, choose a chair that will encourage you to straighten your back so your voice will carry when it’s time to deliver your talk. ([Location 1349](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1349)) - Standing will make you feel as if you’re on stage, nudging your performance up a level in formality and polish. Being upright will also increase blood flow and thus energy, giving you a more commanding presence. Plus, you’ll be able to speak from your diaphragm more easily than you would if you were seated, making your voice come out stronger. ([Location 1352](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1352)) - The rule of thirds helps determine where to position yourself in a virtual presentation, too. The most important visual element in a scene should be placed along those power points, because that’s where the viewer’s attention will go. ([Location 1371](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1371)) - If you are presenting using a “single” or “concurrent” view, where you and your slides will be in separate windows, then your body should be centered in the frame, with your eyes in the top third. ([Location 1373](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1373)) - As you’re looking at yourself in the frame, make sure any hand gestures you want your audience to see will be visible within the frame as well. ([Location 1378](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1378)) - If you intend to sometimes walk “off stage” to let a slide fill the screen, then put another piece of tape on the floor to mark a place to the side where you’ll stand out of the camera’s view. ([Location 1384](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1384)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ##### Dress for the occasion - avoid wearing colors that blend into your background—like a gray shirt against a gray slide or a green shirt against a green screen ([Location 1417](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1417)) - Solid colors with no patterns work best for presentations where the graphics will change often. ([Location 1420](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1420)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ### 05 Delivery Command the Virtual Room - Duarte identified three core traits of a powerful presenter: A comfortable speaker is well-prepared, physically at ease, and projects confidence. ([Location 1439](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1439)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - A dynamic speaker holds attention with vocal variety, gestures, and movement. ([Location 1440](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1440)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - An empathetic speaker identifies with the audience’s needs and conveys that understanding through eye contact, effective pace, and responsiveness. ([Location 1440](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1440)) #### Step Up Your Setup - Or try presenting from a tidy closet (or “cloffice”), if you have one with enough space and light, because the clothing around you will help dampen noise. ([Location 1476](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1476)) - Those surfaces cause sound to reverberate, making it seem as if you are speaking in a can. Prevent this problem by decorating your space with soft furnishings and materials: ([Location 1484](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1484)) - You might also consider placing a small fan or “white noise” machine on the floor to cancel out any other environmental sounds. ([Location 1491](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1491)) #### Optimize Your Tech - Remember the three levels of polish we discussed earlier? Each scenario—casual, professional, or sophisticated—calls for different gear ([Location 1516](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1516)) - (Avoid wireless earbuds which are prone to cutting out if there’s interference from another wireless device nearby or if the batteries die.) ([Location 1522](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1522)) - audiences often expect higher production values for recorded talks. ([Location 1565](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1565)) - a professional workspace with three unique areas designed to serve different purposes, such as collaborative meetings, virtual webinars, keynote presentations and videos ([Location 1598](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1598)) - Note: Change virtual background, decoration or space depending on the kind of session. - For highly-polished virtual presentations, you can try the “three-point lighting” setup used by videographers and photographers:72 1) a “key light” (such as a ring LED light) pointed directly at your face, 2) a “fill light” (like your desk lamp) positioned to the side of your face, and 3) a “back light” (another LED light on a tripod or a floor lamp) that’s placed farther away but angled toward the back of your head. ([Location 1619](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1619)) - Having the camera too far below your face will make you appear to tower over your audience, which can seem arrogant or threatening. ([Location 1633](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1633)) - While you’re futzing with your stuff, take a minute to adjust the mic. It should be a few inches away from your mouth—close enough to capture your voice clearly and at good volume. But don’t put it right up to your lips, or the mic will “pop” too loudly when you say explosive consonants like t’s and p’s. ([Location 1638](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1638)) - For a face-to-face presentation, Duarte coaches advise presenters to let their eyes roam around the room to make eye contact with several different audience members ([Location 1643](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1643)) - advise speakers to keep their eyes focused on one place the whole time: the lens of the camera. ([Location 1645](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1645)) - Put whatever you need to see most often during your presentation (your notes, images of participants) at the top-center of your main monitor, near the camera lens, so you can refer to those things without breaking your visual connection with the audience. ([Location 1648](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1648)) - If you’re using speaking notes, it helps to format them for quick scanning. Convert long sentences into short phrases or bullets (5 to 8 words per line), and set them in a large font with wide leading between lines so each word is legible at a glance. ([Location 1655](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1655)) - She sets a very narrow column width and scrolls the script continuously while reading it so her eyes don’t have to scan the entire width of the screen, making it easier to keep her gaze near the camera the whole time. ([Location 1658](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1658)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - a visual reminder that you’re talking to people, not technology. Scale the window as small as possible to show as many faces as you can. ([Location 1661](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1661)) #### Make the Most of Your Voice - Effective vocal delivery brings clarity to your words and vibrancy to your performance. Varying your vocal dynamics will increase your audience’s engagement by enhancing emotional appeal, since the voice is second only to the face as a vehicle for expressing feeling. ([Location 1669](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1669)) ##### Speak with precision - While your microphone may pick up audio clearly, the audience’s equipment might be lower-fidelity, or their environment could be noisy. To compensate for these challenges, be extra crisp when enunciating so your voice has impact and your words are intelligible at all times. ([Location 1674](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1674)) - When you begin to talk, the air in your lungs is pushed upward by your diaphragm, which acts like a bellows to thrust breath up your windpipe. As the breath passes through your vocal cords, they vibrate rapidly, creating sound waves that are further shaped when channeled into your mouth and nasal passages.74 Those raw vocalizations are transformed into words as you form, or articulate, various letters with your jaw muscles, tongue, and lips. The more precisely you enunciate each part of each word, the crisper your speech will be and the better your audience will be able to understand you ([Location 1678](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1678)) - Take the following steps to make your voice strong and clear: Start with a strong source—a good dose of oxygen. Sit or stand upright, with your spine relatively straight and your shoulders squared rather than slumping. You want a clear airway. Then begin drawing air in from your belly rather than your chest (you’ll know you’re doing it right if your stomach puffs out a bit when you inhale). Consciously engage your diaphragm muscles to send your voice out strongly on the exhale. Don’t hold your breath—let it ride the exhale. Doing this will increase the strength of your breath so you can project your voice more loudly. Finally, when forming words in your mouth, open your mouth slightly larger than may seem normal in casual speech so the sounds are projected clearly, as if traveling through a megaphone. ([Location 1684](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1684)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Note: Speak correctly - If you don’t see much movement in your lips or tongue, your words will be mushy or soft, which means audiences may have a hard time understanding you. ([Location 1695](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1695)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - So before an important talk, do some basic warmup exercises like opening your mouth wide, sticking out your tongue, and moving your tongue in big circles. ([Location 1697](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1697)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Anytime you adjust something when presenting, including your voice, it’ll bring your audience’s focus back to you. ([Location 1700](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1700)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Grab attention and add emphasis to your words by fluctuating your volume, pace, and pitch ([Location 1702](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1702)) - A loud voice makes you seem animated, while a soft voice seems calm, and alternating between the two creates a dynamic feeling. Speeding up or slowing down affects energy, too, though this technique shouldn’t be overdone. Speaking too quickly can sound angry or manic, and speaking too slowly can sound as if you’re condescending to the audience. You can change the pitch of your voice, going either higher or lower, to signal your intent—raising a question (high pitch), for instance, or making a declaration (low pitch). ([Location 1704](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1704)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - All three vocal qualities—volume, pace, and pitch—can be combined to reflect the emotional state of the speaker and provide emotional cues to the audience. ([Location 1729](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1729)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - you can increase pace or volume to generate excitement when explaining a fresh insight or new feature. You can also increase the volume or pitch of your voice, or insert a brief pause, to bring extra “punch” to a point so your audience really feels your conviction. Longer pauses can signal gravity and allow your audience to reflect and absorb what you just said. These quiet moments can be especially beneficial if you’re presenting without slides. ([Location 1731](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1731)) - Tags: [[favorite]] #### Move With Intention - facial expressions—smiles, grimaces, arched brows—are automatically on the audience’s radar. The body commands attention, as well. In particular, speakers can underscore their ideas through motion—and they can draw focus to the movements of their head, shoulders, arms, and hands with additional body language. ([Location 1750](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1750)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Since virtual presenters are highly visible—audiences can see speakers much more clearly on screen than on stage—you need to be extra cognizant of what your body is doing ([Location 1756](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1756)) - When you’re not making an important point, it’s okay to let your hands move out of view and rest on your lap or desk. ([Location 1758](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1758)) - Deliberate movements need to be seen because nonverbal expression aids communication. ([Location 1760](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1760)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Various types of nonverbal expression have been identified and studied by psychologists like Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen, whose research identified five categories of nonverbal behavior: emblems, illustrators, adapters, regulators, and affect displays. ([Location 1766](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1766)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ##### Amplify your message - Amplifiers are motions that add emphasis to our vocalizations so people can more deeply experience what we’re feeling. ([Location 1791](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1791)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - Some people even move their hands rhythmically in time with the pace of their speech, the way orchestra members tap their feet with the music, creating a physical tempo that matches the sound. ([Location 1795](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1795)) - By capturing and emphasizing your own emotions through physical gestures and facial expressions, you can model the emotions you want others to feel, ([Location 1797](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1797)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - You can even move your hands closer to or farther from the camera to magnify the effect. ([Location 1799](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1799)) ##### Signify meaning - Signifiers are motions used as symbols, without any need for words to explain them. ([Location 1809](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1809)) - If you have to give a presentation in a region that’s unfamiliar to you, research gestures considered positive or negative in your audience’s culture to avoid offending people. ([Location 1817](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1817)) ##### Delineate physical qualities - Delineators are motions that convey spatial information like size, distance, or trajectory so your audience can better understand the properties of an object or data set or grasp the magnitude of an abstract idea. ([Location 1820](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1820)) - Tags: [[favorite]] ##### Align movement and message - As you’re incorporating facial expressions, gestures, and other nonverbal elements, it’s essential that they align with what you’re saying. ([Location 1839](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1839)) ##### Be mindful of your energy - communicating virtually is far more taxing than presenting in person because they’re working so many mental muscles at once. ([Location 1853](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1853)) - the importance of self-care, before and after the event, ([Location 1858](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1858)) - Tags: [[favorite]] - It comes down to simple things: get a good night’s rest, squeeze in a little exercise or stretching, don’t skip meals, and stay hydrated. ([Location 1859](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1859)) ### Conclusion Make a World of Difference ### Virtual Presentation Checklist - Strategy Choose the right type of virtual presentation to reach your audience   Understand who they are, but also how they might think and feel about your idea   Consider the environment they’ll be in when viewing your presentation and what will make it easy to access and consume   Plot where you think the audience stands on your idea, where you want them to stand, and what you will say or do to move them   Determine if your presentation should be linear (one-way), interactive (two-way), or collaborative (multi-way), and delivered live or recorded   Decide if you will need a co-presenter, moderator, or technical producer to assist you   Consider how you will manage all three layers of information: backdrop, visuals, presenter   Think about how those layers will come together to establish the look and tone you want ([Location 1903](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1903)) - Story Write content that will keep your remote audience engrossed   Brainstorm ideas for topics to cover, limiting yourself to one-idea-per-slide   Group topics into bite-sized “chunks” of information, organized into three sections: beginning, middle, end   Get creative with your opening, transition, and closing statements   Build tension and release it by alternating between “what is” and “what could be”   Add emotional impact with stories   Mix up content types and formats to add variety   Match interaction types to your goals and your audience’s needs: simple, moderate, or complex   Decide when interactions will happen and how you will direct the audience to participate ([Location 1917](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1917)) - Visuals Create visuals that make you and your content stand out online   Choose the level of “polish” for your presentation: casual, professional, or sophisticated   Look at your environment as the audience will see it, through the camera lens   Remove any clutter or visual distractions and curate remaining items for a pleasing image   Simplify slides by removing excess content and visualizing the most important ideas   Accentuate the right elements on each slide to draw your audience in and keep their interest using variety and contrast   Decide if you will sit or stand while speaking   Apply… ([Location 1930](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1930)) - Delivery Command the virtual room and build rapport through the camera   Ensure your room is sound-friendly by situating yourself in a quiet space, softening ambient sounds, and silencing other apps, devices, or objects   Match your technology to the level of polish needed: consumer, prosumer, or expert   Position your camera at eye-level and aim lights toward your face   Place speaker notes near the camera to avoid looking away from the lens   Vary the volume, pace, and pitch of your voice   Adopt good posture for a strong, clear voice   Maintain eye contact   Move within the frame and use gestures with intention to amplify feelings, signify concepts or objects, or… ([Location 1944](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09HFQP6BH&location=1944))