Follow these 10 helpful tips for a flawless virtual performance

1. 10 tips for online
presentations
How to use body language and background

2. 1. Make sure to check your audio beforehand
Practice making a “test” video. Record yourself and then
listen back to make sure everything is working properly and
you are loud enough.

3. 2. Eliminate background noise
Close doors and windows, turn off electronics, silence cell
phones, ask family to be quiet for 10 minutes.
These may cause background noise that will interrupt your
speech.

4. 3. Think about your lighting
Next to audio, lighting can also have a HUGE impact on your
video quality. Aim for natural light if possible. This may
mean planning to record at a certain time of day.
Fluorescent light is the least flattering.
Having a light directly behind your head is extremely
distracting to the audience. Try to light your face from the
front.

5. 4. Think carefully about your background
You don’t want to have too much going on back there that can
distract your audience.
For example: Your living room, which is messy with lots of
fascinating items laying around and an adorable baby crawling
by. Windows that are bright is also not good.
Choose as simple and monotone a background you can find. If
you have to hang a sheet, so be it. Except please don’t just
stand in your bathroom.

6. 5. Camera Height
Don’t show us the inside of your nostrils, please. Place the
camera at eye level and just a tad off-center.
It is better to have the camera slightly facing down on you
than up on you (into the nostrils).

7. 6. What you wear matters!
No need to worry too much (about pants I mean). Just avoid a
few basic mistakes.
No stripes or dramatic patterns (They are distracting)
No sports gear or logos (not professional)
Try and match your outfit to how you WANT to be perceived.
If you wouldn’t wear it on a date, don’t wear it on camera.

8. 7. Use your hands (but not too much)
Movement is fine but can get distracting. Don’t be afraid to
practice hand gestures, just don’t overdo it and be
intentional about when you do.
Remember the camera is a microscope. It amplifies everything.

9. 8. Maintain good posture
Be standing!
Even though your audience can’t always tell, stand when you
present. This allows you to stay focused and use good
presentation delivery skills such as belly breathing, vocal
variety and pausing.

10. 9. PRactice practice practice
The other half of preparation is practice. There is no
substitute for it. Record yourself practice and watch it.
Leave a few days in between for objectivity.
Send it to a friend for feedback. If you really want to go
for it, send them the rubric and have them fill it out.
I promise you, it will only help you.

11. 10. Eye contact!
Look at the camera. NOT THE SCREEN. It is very tempting I
know, to watch yourself on screen as you give the speech.
But looking directly at the actual camera is the only way to
maintain eye contact with your audience. Eye contact is a
VITAl part of the speech grade.