Virtual communication stands as an essential skill for modern business success.
Organizations increasingly blend physical and digital events, creating opportunities to reach broader audiences.
Research from Markletic shows 67% of businesses use virtual events complementary to in-person events, particularly for sales and fundraising initiatives—a strategy yielding results for many marketing teams.
Digital events now generate a significant portion of company pipelines, with 45.7% of marketers saying the primary goal of virtual events is to generate pipeline
This has prompted businesses to allocate between 10-20% of their marketing budget to virtual events.
Success rates remain strong, with 93% of virtual event organizers planning to invest more in virtual events next year.
Technology adoption for events continues to prove valuable; during 2023, 88.1% of respondents had hosted at least one virtual event, with 46.3% hosting at least four.
These results demonstrate that virtual and hybrid events represent permanent fixtures in business strategy.
Speaker preparation must adapt accordingly, developing capabilities that serve both live audiences and digital platforms.
This guide provides practical approaches for creating compelling virtual presentations, helping speakers prepare for upcoming engagements without requiring formal training sessions.
Pre-Event Virtual Speaker Best Practices
Creating engaging online presentations demands careful preparation.
Virtual speeches require specific strategies to hold audience attention effectively.
Know Your Vocals
Voice projection serves as your primary communication tool during virtual presentations.
Regular vocal exercises, found through popular streaming platforms like Spotify or YouTube, help maintain optimal speaking ability.
Stay well-hydrated and recognize how rest patterns and seasonal allergies affect vocal performance—check with trusted colleagues for honest feedback about voice quality.
Schedule Practice Sessions
Run complete audio-visual rehearsals to polish presentation delivery before broadcast time.
Practice speaking while imagining audience members, and record sessions to evaluate communication effectiveness.
Regular practice helps eliminate technical issues.
Create an Ideal Setting
Virtual presenters control their presentation environment.
Select simple, clean backgrounds that minimize distractions, ensuring viewers focus solely on the message.
Home Communication Strategy
Brief family members about presentation schedules, enabling them to minimize interruptions during crucial moments.
Take extra care explaining timing importance to children.
These approaches strengthen virtual speaking capabilities, helping presenters connect naturally with online audiences.
Effective Virtual Presentation Skills
Creating impactful presentations requires advance preparation.
Even newer speakers can demonstrate confidence through thorough groundwork.
Research thoroughly who will attend your presentation.
Understanding daily challenges, work roles, and experience levels allows you to shape messages that connect with specific needs and expectations.
Content Organization
Organizing content remains essential, regardless of natural speaking ability.
A well-structured presentation transforms good ideas into memorable messages that motivate others.
Virtual events, especially webinars, require particularly engaging content due to limited interactive features.
A strong organizational structure guides both current delivery and future presentations.
Writing down ideas without concern for order helps start the process.
From there, identify the central concept that will capture listener attention and guide them through your narrative smoothly.
Script vs. Outline
Digital distractions make immediate engagement crucial.
Deliver clear messages within the first few minutes, removing unnecessary words while focusing on slide quality.
Visual elements carry extra weight since physical presence becomes limited online.
Select the approach that best supports your presentation goals.
Setting Up Your Online Stage
Physical presentations allow for spontaneity, but digital delivery demands precision.
Light and Sound Essentials
Proper lighting elevates presentation quality—outstanding content deserves excellent visuals.
Quality lighting and clear audio make dramatic differences.
Consider purchasing softboxes or ring lights from online retailers, or position yourself near windows for natural illumination as a cost-effective solution.
For professional-grade sound, an external microphone proves invaluable during speeches and podcast recordings.
Camera Setup Fundamentals
Whether utilizing a DSLR, webcam, or laptop camera, position matters significantly.
Mount the camera at eye level or slightly higher, approximately arm’s length away, to create natural engagement.
Practice sessions with video recording help perfect your onscreen presence.
Speech Support Tools
Maintain smooth delivery using note cards, scripts, or digital prompters placed near your camera lens at screen top.
Write your content with natural speech patterns and conversational pauses—this approach creates authentic connections rather than distancing viewers.
Technical Preparation
Check all equipment and connections several hours before starting.
Prioritize wired internet connections and allow sufficient time to address unexpected technical challenges.
Delivering Your Virtual Performance
After perfecting your technical setup and content preparation, focus shifts to presentation delivery that shines through digital channels.
Keep Your Energy Levels High
Physical events naturally generate audience energy, while online presentations require self-generated enthusiasm.
Maintain high energy through your preferred method—perhaps an extra espresso or pre-presentation exercise routine.
Whatever method works best, sustain that energetic momentum throughout your presentation.
Tap Into Your Passion
Your genuine enthusiasm for the topic resonates through screens.
Develop techniques to convey excitement without relying on audience reactions.
Let authentic interest shine through each point you make.
What to Wear for a Virtual Event?
Online presentation dress codes vary based on context, so consider your audience and event type while choosing clothing that enhances rather than detracts from your message.
Trust personal instincts—or consult a style-savvy colleague—to achieve the right balance.
Start by acknowledging potential technical variables—such as connection delays or background sounds—which creates authenticity and builds audience rapport.
Wit in Brevity, Less is More, Etc.
Digital audiences prefer concise content, so present clear ideas using straightforward language and simple slides that audiences easily understand.
End presentations by highlighting essential points and specific action items clearly.
Use memorable phrases that resonate after the session ends—potentially inspiring other speakers.
Post-Presentation Excellence
After delivering your online presentation, celebrate that achievement.
Then analyze your performance.
Notice speaking patterns to refine and nervous habits to address.
Study admired presenters.
Compare their techniques for emphasizing important points with your own approach, aiming to enhance future presentations.
Gathering Feedback
Audience perspectives provide crucial insights for improving your skills and strengthening future presentations.
Question Management
Physical events allow natural conversation during breaks.
Recreate this dynamic by addressing remaining questions after your presentation, maintaining engagement and creating new opportunities.
Social Media Integration
While virtual events might feel disconnected, social platforms create community.
Share participant posts about your presentation—demonstrating engagement and encouraging continued online connection.
Virtual presenting brings unique challenges compared to traditional speaking environments.
Yet consistent practice—combined with expert guidance from organizations like We & Goliath—develops these essential communication skills effectively.
