A core task of a speaker is setting the best emotional tone. This means that you use yourself to alter the emotional state of individuals in the audience, moving them in the desired direction. Setting the emotional tone means that you are neither underwhelming nor overwhelming.

In a study about first impressions, the authors found that “people base their first impressions of others on whatever information is available within the first 39 milliseconds.” Another study found that it’s 100 milliseconds. That’s milliseconds.

In a study about first impressions, the authors found that “people base their first impressions of others on whatever information is available within the first 39 milliseconds.” Another study found that it’s 100 milliseconds. That’s milliseconds.

The “notes” section of your slides (which should not be visible to attendees during your presentation) is a great place to keep your outline. If our bolding, did not catch your eye, the key word in the previous sentence is “outline.”

We all want to design presentations that stick. Presentations that live in the minds of our listeners and stick with them. One aspect of this work is how your slides complement or detract from this objective.

An important consideration when designing your slides is the use of embedded video to help elicit emotion or reinforce a point.

Minimize the text and let your message live!

Question and answer sessions (those at the end of a presentation where the audience can ask questions) can be stressful. They take away your control as a presenter, since you have no idea what questions are coming and how you will answer them.

Your conclusion is the audience’s final opportunity to hear from you. In many ways, it’s just as important as the introduction. End using the same techniques listed in the introduction section: a quote, a story, or an inspirational video can each be a way to conclude.

A roadmap helps listeners follow your overall trajectory, and is equally important to share with the audience in presentations given in-person and online.

5 tips for increasing interaction and engagement.

5 tips for increasing interaction and engagement.

Interactive moments should not simply be inserted “just to be sure everyone is engaged” or at gratuitous moments to make the audience feel involved. Rather, interactive experiences should connect to and enhance the overall purpose and objectives of the presentation.

Among the many lessons we have learned in the last year is the necessity to have a co-pilot when presenting online. Among other duties, this person monitors the chat function, watches for raised hands (e.g., questions or responses/ideas from participants), posts links, conducts the polls, keeps track of time, monitors for engagement, posts resources in the chat, and places people into breakout rooms.

Our use of the word “design” in the title of our book Captovation: Online Presentations by Design, is an intentional choice because of its complex nature and its mental and physical components. Architects design buildings. Scientists design experiments. Computer scientists designed the computer, phone, or tablet you are using to read this post. Thus, we view the topic of delivering engaging online presentations, in part, as a design challenge. Why?

Our use of the word “design” in the title of our book Captovation: Online Presentations by Design, is an intentional choice because of its complex nature and its mental and physical components. Architects design buildings. Scientists design experiments. Computer scientists designed the computer, phone, or tablet you are using to read this post. Thus, we view the topic of delivering engaging online presentations, in part, as a design challenge. Why?

Our use of the word “design” in the title of our book Captovation: Online Presentations by Design, is an intentional choice because of its complex nature and its mental and physical components. Architects design buildings. Scientists design experiments. Computer scientists designed the computer, phone, or tablet you are using to read this post. Thus, we view the topic of delivering engaging online presentations, in part, as a design challenge. Why?

Presenting online is a new space for many of us. These five tips are considerations to help your message "live" in the minds of your audience. The words you choose, repetition, a clean structure, vocal variety (prosody), and multimodality can help you design an engaging, informative, and memorable presentation.

As a result of your presentation, what do you want your audience to know, feel, or do?