We’ve been presenting in virtual meetings now for many years (it’s incredible how 5 years have gone by since COVID!)
But do you still feel awkward when presenting virtually? It’s just not the same as presenting face to face, is it? But why is that?
Quite simply, it’s because in virtual communication we lose the feedback loop we rely on in person: eye contact, nods, smiles, the occasional chuckle.
As human beings our brains are hard-wired to pick up on cues from others in social situations, that’s how we know we’re ok with each other. But here’s the thing, as presenters in a virtual meeting we NEED the feedback, but the audience’s brains in a virtual setting DON’T feel obliged to give us that feedback. So, we have a huge disconnect.
And with this disconnect, we can easily fall into a spiral of doubt about how well we’re communicating.
As Sarah Gershman, professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University has said: “Because we feel as if no one is listening, we speak as if no one is listening.” That’s when things start to go downhill — we lose energy, become monotonous, ramble. Consequently, it all gets even more awkward.
But there are things we can do to make virtual presenting feel more natural and engaging — for both ourselves and our audience.
Here are five practical suggestions:
1. Lead with empathy
Before you go live, take a moment to put yourself in your listeners’ shoes. What might they be worried about? What’s going on in their world today? This small shift can help calm your nerves — you’re no longer thinking, How am I doing? but rather, How can I be of service? And that’s when the magic happens — that’s when you connect. Make it about THEM, not about you.
2. Start strong — and start with the chat
The opening moments are often the hardest. Prepare some ‘small-talk’ questions to speak out loud such as “Where are you joining from today?” but as people often struggle to warm up, move to the chat to invite more participation with a deeper question such as “What are you expecting to gain from the presentation?” Then take a moment to read a few responses aloud and name the people who shared them. It helps everyone feel more present — including you. Also, learn to be comfortable with a little bit of silence in between commenting on the comments – it’s OK! If people are reading a chat, they don’t notice a short silence at all.
3. Make it a conversation, not a monologue
Even if you’re the only one speaking, keep your tone conversational. Use rhetorical questions. Try phrases like, “You’ve probably faced this, haven’t you?” or “What challenges do you see here?” This kind of language invites your audience to think and engage — often silently, yes, but meaningfully. And it helps you feel like you’re in dialogue, not just broadcasting into the void.
4. Use your imagination to feel more relaxed
Remember, your brain is reading the lack of feedback from the audience as ‘not ok’. But generally, it IS ok. Imagine that the audience are welcoming your information, they are in fact, there for a reason. It’s just that because of the virtual set-up, they are not responding as they would do in person.
5. Get them to stay off mute if there is no background noise
If your meeting is small and you have stated that you’re looking for interaction during your presentation, invite those who don’t have any background to stay OFF MUTE. This way, they can participate more spontaneously and you’ll also hear those small murmurs of feedback that your brain so desperately craves.
One thing I’ve learned…
In one of my recent virtual workshops for a group of 12 middle managers, I noticed how flat the energy was at the start — some people had cameras off and it was proving difficult to get interaction. So, I paused and asked them to write in the chat one word that described how they were feeling. The replies came in — “curious,” “tired,” “hopeful,” “overwhelmed.” I read out a few, thanked them, and said, “That’s a very real mix. Let’s see where we can go from here together.” The energy shifted. From that point, it felt like a conversation rather than a performance. That small moment of connection made a big difference.
Virtual presenting is different. It can feel odd. But with a few thoughtful adjustments, it can also be impactful, human, and consequently, rewarding.
