51 - Elevating Your Virtual Presentation
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Welcome back to the Catapulting Commissions podcast with your host, Anthony Garcia. Virtual presentations. They’re not going anywhere. So, there’s no reason yours should suck! Today, Anthony is taking a look at how to make that presentation impactful, professional, and leave you with something you’re proud of.  

Virtual meetings are important, and if you do them correctly, they can save you a lot of time. However, you can take someone seriously if they can’t take themselves seriously. If you aren’t able to have a clean, professional presentation under these circumstances, it appears as a reflection of your ability to adapt to unique selling situations. 

The first step to adapting is easy. Get the correct lighting. The light from your laptop isn’t enough. There are ways to use a window, there are ways to use a lamp. Don’t have your camera facing the sun or the light! It’s critically important that you consider your lighting--take a look at ring lights. 

Secondly, have the right background. What’s behind you is almost as important as what you’re presenting. Don’t allow it to distract from your message. Make sure it’s tidy, at least. If you can, consider a green screen to allow yourself the flexibility of changing your background. Whatever you’re comfortable with. 

If you’re going to run a presentation, know your technology ahead of time. Know how to share your screen properly, know how to mute guests, know how to chat correctly, know what buttons to press. You can be the best salesperson in the world, but if you don’t know the tech, no one will listen to your message. At this point, it’s 2021--there’s no excuse. 

When you speak, speak to the camera, not the screen. When you speak to the camera, you’re talking directly to your audience, whoever they may be. When it’s time for you to listen, then it’s okay to look at the screen. 

If you know how to take a selfie, you should know how to position your webcam. Too low or too high is unflattering. Have it eye-level. Your eyes should be in the top third of the screen. If you’re presenting and only have an internal camera, prop up your laptop on top of a stack of books, a trashcan, anything. 

As you’re speaking, be aware of how your image is projecting to your audience. For example, sitting too far away from your camera doesn’t help anyone. You want to be face, neck, and shoulders on the camera. You want to highlight what’s important when you’re speaking, not your shoes. 

Be an appropriate amount of animated. You want people to be looking at your screen. It’s time to perform. Give your best effort without losing genuineness. It’s all about inflictions. 

Have a pace and rhythm and keep it going. Be smooth in your cadence. When you’re speaking to a crowd, be aware of the speed at which you normally speak. When you’ve found the sweet spot, it shows intelligence. 

Don’t allow bad audio to ruin your presentation. Invest in an external microphone. There are a wide variety of microphones for all different uses. You can undo all your work with just a poor microphone. Do an audio check to make sure you’re clear and there is no feedback loop and consider headphones. 

Your internet is obviously critical. A higher speed, though, is certainly better. If you can afford to upgrade to the highest level of download/upload for your home, do it. It’s certainly a higher cost, but consider eliminating cable TV and streaming your entertainment. If you can afford that, plug into the modem to eliminate lag. Don’t lose an audience because your internet sucks. 

Engage with your audience. You have to find ways to make a connection with those you’re speaking to. Answer questions or have a chat, whatever--but you have to ask for it. Feedback helps! Ask those questions and allow for an answer. If there is anything they enjoyed, ask them to let you know. 

If you’re going to have a PowerPoint, they have to be top-notch. What you say and show in your presentation is impactful. Spruce it up--making it appealing. If you’re going to pop up a slide to take over your face, it needs to be equally as beautiful. 

Finally, the last thing you can do to ensure your presentations are impactful is to be yourself. Have fun and be an authentic individual.  People retain information when they’re engaged. Entertain, but remain yourself.

If you need any sort of help with anything we talked about today, don't hesitate to text 661-228-8967 and say hello!