5 Strategic Ways to Prepare Virtual Corporate Event Speakers

I’ll never forget the stillness in The King’s Speech. 

King George VI looks out on the crowd and stammers his way through something painful, and the crowd holds their breath as they watch their newly-placed leader muddle through a few simple words. He had something to say but couldn’t communicate through the microphone. 

Preparing your speakers for digital engagement

If you aren’t prepared for the nuances, the cadence, and the strange new world of interacting online, speaking to a crowd through the computer can make you feel like you’re back in high school speech class. Whether you’re a polished event speaker or part of a team preparing for a digital event, the next few paragraphs will bring you some confidence and finesse as you plan for the event.

Here are five simple yet effective ways event speakers can prepare to rock the virtual event scene and increase the event’s digital engagement. 

Prepare Your Content 

When crafting your content for the event, be sure you and the planning team have discussed the formats, how much time you’ll have, and the potential for open Q&As. Unlike a live event, most online conferences thrive on interaction with the audience to increase digital engagement. You’ll want to be prepared for any scenario — from a solo teacher to a panel of peers discussing your content.  When you’re editing your content, consider these few things:

• The hook. You’ll keep the audience or lose them in the first 15 seconds of a typical presentation — digital impressions are made even faster.

• Be real. Digital engagement thrives on experiences and authenticity — be yourself and be conversational.

• Be short and thorough. Condense your primary material due to shorter attention spans but prepare to send out follow-up resources (which is great for connecting with the audience long-term).

• Plan accordingly. Be prepared with information for polling data or more minor talking points to fill space.

• Create visual interest. Craft excellent graphics to go with your presentation to visually engage the audience. Remember. Less is more.


Prepare Your Environment

When looking for the space to use, be sure to consider the aesthetics as well as the potential for sound quality. Choose something isolated and smaller, with quiet ventilation and carpet if possible. Invest in a quality camera, good lighting, a microphone, and perhaps an audio/video mixer if needed. 

If you’re interested in looking at a pre-packaged solution, consider having Sally and the team set you up with their “Studio in a Box” — contains the essentials for streaming from home.

If you have a family living in the same place you will be broadcasting, communicate when you’re starting and where you’ll be. The last thing you need is a dog chasing a kid in a cape through your background — although if it happens, acknowledge their cuteness and then move on!

Prepare Yourself 

Be sure your clothing matches the event. If you typically would wear a suit, do it! If it’s a laid-back affair, consider your audience and what they’ll probably be wearing. Day of, eat a good breakfast and take a brisk walk — anything to keep your energy up! And before the event begins, drink some tea and honey to ensure your voice is ready to project your message. 

Practice sessions will help you calm your nerves and gain confidence. While you’re speaking, be sure to maintain eye contact with the camera. Try to have your content prepared for but not wholly memorized to keep an authentic and conversational flow. Notecards are a great way to keep your points organized yet unseen. And avoid sudden movements or noisy accessories that can distract from your message.

Prepare for Flukes 

There’s often a moment or two when things change, plans morph, or technology fails. But in those moments, embrace the humanity being shown and be prepared to joke with the audience — take a deep breath, use what you’ve got, and keep on. As you recover, the audience will often jump in with support and understanding! 

Review the setup with a professional and practice if you have new equipment a few weeks before the event. Do a few dry runs through everything to familiarize yourself with the event's flow. Discuss having a pre-recorded presentation version, just in case something happens to the WiFi or other technical issues arise. And plan for a few extra points to pivot to or have video elements that can be easily inserted. 

Preparing for something to go wrong will help you feel confident in the success the day of, leaving you free to enjoy the experience and share your passion the way you want to!

Prepare for Success

Lionel Logue, the King’s speech coach, said, “Every public speaker likes his hearer to imagine his oratory as an unpremeditated gift of nature and not the result of the prolonged and patient study” (The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy).

In virtual events, particularly with every interaction being online, you want your content to be a gift to the people attending. You have a message; your audience needs your words to be delivered clearly and passionately. 

By doing the work, learning the systems, and planning for even the most minor details, you’ll share your gift of nature with some people who need to hear it.

Need assistance preparing for your live-streaming event? Contact us today.