Keeping Audiences Engaged

What you say doesn’t matter if no one is listening.
Many of the ways we kept audiences engaged when presenting live are difficult to reproduce when we shift to virtual formats.

But here are some ways you can keep your virtual audiences engaged and listening.

Working with Visual Aids 

Visual aids can you clarify your explanations and make a lasting impact on your audiences.

Do’s

  • Find shortcuts to quickly switch between applications.
    On Windows, use <alt><tab>
  • Use as easy to read slides as possible for those viewing on cameras. Keep them simple!

Don’ts

  • Don’t use small fonts & images could be hard to read.
  • Don’t use colors that would conflict with your background.

Getting audience feedback

Live events have the ability to be much more interactive but there are some ways you can make your presentation more of a two way conversation.

Do’s

  • Use polls to measure demographic and quantitative responses from the group.
  • Use chat to solicit concerns, questions and ideas
  • Use emoji’s and clap features to measure audience sentiment
  • Create polls & chat posts in advance.

 

Don’ts

  • Don’t just read your slides or notes. It is much more interesting if you just talk to us.
  • Don’t ask for feedback and then ignore it.
  • Don’t type while you are presenting.  It distracts both you and the audience.
  • Don’t give control of the presentation to someone you don’t know.

 

Getting audience collaboration

Live events have the ability to be much more interactive but there are some ways you can make your presentation more of a two way conversation.

Do’s

  • Use small breakout rooms to do networking and/or exercises.
  • Consider using collaborative spaces like a digital whiteboards or mind-mapping features.
  • Make instructions clear and easy to find
  • Make time limits and goals very clear.
  • Assign team members or volunteers to facilitate breakouts.
  • Drop in breakouts periodically to check if there are any issues.
  • Consider holding contests.

 

Don’ts

  • Don’t dump people in break outs without instructions.
  • Don’t assume people will figure out what to do and how to do it.
  • Don’t forget to allow time for the transitions getting to and from the breakouts.

 

Technologies:

  • Polls
  • Whiteboards