How to enable new speakers in a virtual world

Last year I wrote an article: Presentation skills Brown Bag in a virtual world – Sterlings (wordpress.com)

Which was inspired by brown bags I used to deliver at Microsoft (10 Techniques to help you present better – Sterlings (wordpress.com).

Which lead one of our MVP leads/Shiva Ford to ask me:

How do you enable new speakers…particularly in a virtual world?

My pre-Covid answer would have been:

1. Partner with these would be speakers (co presenting)
2. Pick a topic that sets them up to succeed
3. Explain how they fit into the overall presentation
4. Scope their delivery to something small (i.e. a demo) BUT ensure you have the flexibility to allow them continue if needed.

Which begs the question….how do you translate this to a virtual setting?

…With some orthogonal thinking, small tweaks and minor additions…

Amending my virtual world presentations skills suggestion list below with those enhancements:

• Share the stage 
  
  • Bring a friend!
    

  Lisa Crosbie To share how you or your co-presenter can help with the presentation chat/hands etc
  

  • Additional techniques to enable sharing the stage w/ a friend (Chuck to cover)
    
    • “Time master”
      
    • “Code Line Count Master”
• Be the story
  
  • Screen Share/multiple monitors is your friend by Lisa Crosbie
    
  • Blur Background and or Use Stock Background (Power Points rule of three++) (by Chuck)
    
  • Prerecord your Demo! By Lisa Crosbie
    
• Engage your audience
  
  • Audience Size shouldn’t control your “voice”
    
  • Physical Activity > Now becomes Camera Framing (Twin Monitors)
    
  • Eye Contact Activity would use erasers in the room > Post its behind the screen

• LOUDER equals better 
  
  Mute your audience

• Emphasize appropriately
  Voting (Also a great engagement technique!)
  

https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/online-meeting-tips