Online presentations have become a core part of how professionals communicate - but delivering them effectively requires more than just sharing your screen.
Are the rules really that different for a virtual presentation as opposed to an in-person experience? They absolutely are. Based on 15+ years of virtual presentation experience, we break down the online presentation tools that you need to add to your arsenal that will allow you to avoid the fate of countless presenters before you: That of a bored, disengaged audience.
In a virtual environment, you face additional challenges as a presenter. The most pronounced: Not only do you face the prospect of audience members checking out mentally, but physically as well. There is nothing that requires someone to keep their camera on or avoid doing something else while listening to you. So, what does that mean? Grabbing - and keeping - attention is key in an online presentation environment.
At a fundamental level, effective virtual presentations rely on clear structure, concise messaging, and intentional engagement. Without these elements, it’s easy for audiences to become distracted or disengaged.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to make an online presentation like a pro, including how to structure your message, engage your audience, and communicate with clarity in a virtual setting.
Tips On How To Give A Good Online Presentation
Here at Management Consulted, we aren’t just former consultants. We’re a fully remote, global team that has been making online presentations for over a decade. Our first tip? It’s important to realize that a handful of tips alone do not make a good virtual presentation.
Success in a virtual presentation begins with your approach. Even more so in an online environment, your first goal is to ensure your audience is engaged early and often. Utilizing the Pyramid Principle® is a great way to frame your conversation by leading with your assertion (the “so what?” of the meeting). Your strong beginning will engage stakeholders up front - even if they disagree with your approach, you get a chance to identify their objections early, and that gives you an opportunity to pivot your approach.
Furthermore, leading with action items for your audience gets them engaged up front. In addition, framing the conversation by making it clear that folks will have something to do after the meeting will increase the chances they stay engaged throughout. And if there are no action items or next steps, why are you presenting in the first place?
Top Online Presentation Tips
- Build a deck with the virtual environment in mind - This means that your slide and deck structure inform the way you will present virtually
- Lead with action items for your audience to keep them engaged
- Build in 1 engagement point every 5 slides - We make specific recommendations for your team and company in our group training sessions
- Complexity is the enemy in virtual presentations - Each slide should have only 1 key takeaway
- One way to ensure your slide is sending just 1 message? Avoid slides that are too text-heavy. In a virtual environment, someone will either listen to you or read the slide. Leave information to present “off-slide” and drive engagement, or communicate it visually so that it is easy to digest
- Related to "off-slide" presenting - Make sure you practice what you will say to augment what is on your slide. The more you riff, the more you ramble.
- If presenting with a group, determine beforehand who will present which slides and who will be leading the screen-share. Nothing is worse than awkward Zoom transitions.
In our group corporate training sessions and individual presentation coaching, we dive deep into these concepts, helping you develop and deliver effective online presentations. Schedule a 15-minute consultation with our lead instructor.
Best Online Presentation Tools
As we’ve already discussed, the best online presentation tools aren’t snazzy Zoom backgrounds or web tricks - they are ways that you drive stakeholder engagement. To be specific, the best online presentation tools are structure, clarity, and simple slides.
Technically speaking, while we don’t recommend presenting in Google Slides, this can be a helpful tool as you create a presentation online in a collaborative way. However, our recommendation is to always port the presentation over to PowerPoint before finalizing for the presentation. One of our other favorite online presentation tools is Canva - this is a great resource to help you present data in a visual, easy-to-digest format.
The best tool? It's not technological. Applying answer first communication can make your online presentations more effective by ensuring your audience quickly understands your key message.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Presentations
What makes an online presentation effective?
An effective online presentation is clear, structured, and engaging. It communicates the main message quickly, keeps content concise, and actively involves the audience.
How do you keep an audience engaged during an online presentation?
You can keep an audience engaged by:
- Using clear, concise messaging
- Incorporating interaction (questions, polls)
- Maintaining eye contact through the camera
- Using visuals effectively
- Keeping the presentation focused
What are common mistakes in online presentations?
Common mistakes include:
- Overloading slides with information
- Speaking without a clear structure
- Failing to engage the audience
- Reading directly from slides
- Not preparing for technical issues
How should you structure an online presentation?
An online presentation should:
- Start with the main takeaway
- Organize ideas logically
- Support key points with relevant examples
- Keep slides simple and focused
- End with clear next steps
How can I improve my online presentation skills?
You can improve by:
- Practicing structured communication
- Simplifying your messaging
- Rehearsing delivery
- Getting feedback
- Using proven presentation frameworks
Concluding Thoughts
If you haven’t gotten the message yet, here it is one more time: the most valuable currency in an online environment is attention. The best online presentations always quickly grab - and keep - stakeholder attention. One of the main ways they do this is via setting action items and next steps up front. They make sure everyone knows what they will be responsible to do after the presentation concludes.
If your team is presenting frequently in virtual environments, our corporate presentation training programs help professionals communicate clearly, engage audiences, and deliver high-impact presentations - online or in person.