How to deliver online content effectively

You normally deliver content in person and suddenly you need to change the way you present information.  How can you make sure that your presentation is delivered in a professional, clear and effective way?  Especially if you don’t have much in the way of equipment nor are you really sure what program to use.

When you deliver content in an online format you have some of the same challenges that you face in an in person presentation.  Some challenges are new and I will start with these ones first.

What platform do I use?

There are a plethora of online video conference tools available in the marketplace.  The ones I have most experience with a Google Hangout, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.  I will do another article on these pros and cons to those tomorrow.  So if your client isn’t already using a particul tool then I would start with one that is free, and easy to use.  Zoom and Hangouts are my preferences for those.

Once you have decided what tool you use you then need to decide if you want to do a presentation that people will link into or if you want to do a live presentation.  Both are useful so think about your OBJECTIVE and who is your target audience.

For information sharing that doesn’t require much feedback from your audience then I would go with a prerecorded call that people can just view and their own convenience.

If you need a more interactive session then a live session is called for.

Whether you are presenting live or statically the following guidelines will help you to present in the most effective way possible.

What equipment should you use?

If you are going to use your laptop camera and microphone then you need to consider the following

Where is your camera

Try to sit so that your camera is centred on your face.  It is better if the camera is angled down rather than up.  If necessary put books underneath to get the height correct.  

Move around a bit and see how that impacts the camera.  Do you pop out of screen?  Try delivering some content and recording yourself.  On the playback check for the following:

• Do I move out of range

• Do I have too much movement

• Do I look stiff or uncomfortable

• Am I smiling 

• Am I badly in shadow

Where is your microphone?

How much ambient noise is there?  

What is the best natural lighting I can manage?  I try to do all my static filing at my dining room table.  It has a reasonable background and the best lighting.  It still isn’t perfect but it’s better than a really dark or really backlit background,

Once you have everything set then look at how much time you will need to make your recording.

You really want to keep any content delivery short seven to ten minutes before introducing an activity or break in the module.

Sit your laptop so that you have the camera angle correct, the lighting and sound are the best you can manage and deliver your content.

Delivering Content

Eyes

To help you look confident and professional try to look directly at the camera.  If you need to read your notes then take a pause in silence.  Gather your thoughts and look back into the camera.

Voice

Speak slowly and clearly.  Do not rush through your content or you will just confuse your audience.

Use scripted text to help you remember what you want to say.

Remember to pause.  Your audience will appreciate the moment to consider what you have just said.

If you are using slides.  Use them to deliver your content.  Don't’ rush through them and make sure you keep to your timing.

Posture

Try to sit so that your arms are above your desks.  This way you can use them to make gestures that will help you to add inflection.

I try to use a chair that doesn’t have wheels.  This helps you to reduce unnecessary movement.  

Try not to lean backwards and forward.  Minimise upper body and head movements.  As this mostly what your audience sees, small movements can be magnified.

What is my OBJECTIVE

You have decided on which format you will use now it is time to think about your objective and the content you need to cover.

Will you need slides to help guide you?

Once you have put your material together.  Practice out load and if possible have a dry run.  This way you will be able to smoothly transition between screens and slides without too many issues.

Audience Engagement 

How do you manage to be engaging when you have no audience.

If you can stay concise and clear, then you will need to make sure you provide thinking points and activities for your audience.

If you ask a question - wait a moment before you move on.

With activities thinking through what you want from your audience.  To pause the video and do, to do along with your instructions or to listen to all of the instructions and then do the activity at the end.

Offer anecdotes and stories

Try to still add personal elements to what you are delivering.  It is even more important that the audience connects with you.  What can you offer that will make you human.  Why is this information important to them.  The more connections you make the more engaged the audience will be.

Next steps

What are the next steps you want your audience to take.  Do you have any supporting documents that they can receive that will help them complete their tasks.

Be Clear

Be as clear and consistent as you can.  With less opportunity to check the audience , understand how you can ensure that your audience knows what the need to do.

Go back to your objectives and if necessary reiterate them.

Have a list of next steps writing down so that the audience can move forward.

, Please reach out to if you would like a one-to-one session on how you can improve your online presence and delivery skills.