Table of Contents
From the Author ix
1 Opportunity Awaits 1
The future is now
Understand the barriers, or they will trip you up
How this book will help you
2 Virtual Presentations Are Anything but New 11
Learn by watching the professionals
Five newscast techniques you can use
Success comes in many formats
3 The Number One Reason Virtual Presentations Fail 27
Poor planning leads to poor execution
If you want your virtual presentation to succeed, don't leave the preparation to chance
Keep It Relevant
4 Take Command of Your Message 39
Define your purpose and frame your presentation
Select and sequence your topics
Break the presentation into segments
Establish the final agenda, timing and flow
Determine who should participate
Choose the technology
Virtual Prep Sheet
Sequencing Chart
5 Help Your Participants Prepare 57
Establish expectations and responsibilities
Get everyone connected
Keep It Engaging
6 Make Your Presentation More Interesting than Any of the Distractions 65
Make it hard to look away
Make a commitment and ask for a commitment
Make sure the right people are attending
Multitasking doesn't work, for you or your audience
Attention spans are ... Hey, what's that?
7 Don't Fly Solo 77
The team that presents together, bonds together
Role: Producer
Roles: Host and Cohost
Role Facilitator
Role: Tech Support
Role: Reporter
Role Guidelines
8 Develop a Dynamic, Professional On-screen Presence 95
Look relaxed and confident
Use gestures effectively and avoid the desperate hands syndrome
Eye contact is always critical
Your virtual voice must sometimes carry the message
Use stories and examples
Use props and articles as visual aids
9 Create an In-Person Experience 111
Get out of my face!
Make it look as though you are in the same room
Good lighting prevents creepy faces
Set the background scene
To record or not to record
10 Be Resourceful 123
Presenting to an invisible audience
Presenting to a silent audience
Make your presentation a must-see event
Virtual humor
Keep It Moving
11 Don't Get Bogged Down, for Any Reason 145
Eliminate the irrelevant
Practice your delivery
Manage the clock
12 Create Seamless Transitions 151
13 Follow Up 157
Do it now
Streamline the information
14 To Go Virtual or Not to Go Virtual 161
Virtual presentations vs. face-to-face
Tangible and intangible costs and benefits
Tool or crutch?
What the studies tell us
15 The Virtual Beginning 177
Virtual Presentation Forms 179
Virtual Prep Sheet
Sequencing Chart
Role Guidelines
Acknowledgments 185
About the Author 189
