Just like cars have new models, software has updates, and books have improved editions so, too, do columns need the occasional tweak to allow them to stay relevant. The topic of this column— successfully presenting a webinar—first appeared many years ago. And while the information remains valid the monster COVID brought a huge increase in the number of folks giving webinars online. Added to this was new technology, teaching strategies, and software. Stepping back and looking at what I wrote “way back then” I realized: it’s time for a facelift, and that’s what I now bring you.
Many folks who teach online have the opportunity to give a live webinar to colleagues and/or students. This is a great way, of course, to help fellow faculty enhance their teaching skills while also offering students real-time info on weekly assignments and spotlighting various components of the subject being taught. Yet too often these webinars do not live up to their expectations, simply because the presenter did not have much experience in giving webinars or did not excel in all the skills necessary to have a webinar be dynamic, interesting, and successful. With this column those two “nots” will end!
Please do send me additional suggestions that have worked for you in presenting webinars. I’ll include them in the next issue: erroldistancelearning@gmail.com
The Overriding Rule of Webinar Success
You either own the audience or the audience will own you! This is the overall umbrella rule that has no wiggle room! The webinar presenter must be fully in charge of the presentation; the instant this no longer is the case the audience is in charge—something that can never happen.
I present the guide to giving a really, really, really good webinar in 2022.
Preparation
A crucial Mindset: Wanting to Present
It is important to become excited about the presentation: you have been called on to offer expertise, info, and clarification that others need! However, if one merely goes through the motions while giving a presentation the audience quickly picks up on this and will not stay focused on or engaged in the presentation. Always remember to expect the unexpected to occur during a presentation; not doing so can result in a shaky, caught-off-guard presenter
Know the Learning Outcomes to be Achieved
No matter how good a presenter might be and no matter how well the presenter knows the material if there is no “end game” the presentation will flop. Have specific outcomes, and let the attendees know these prior to the presentation. It’s always a plus when they know what to expect.
Understand The Audience Mix
Unless a certain audience type is specified for the presentation, the audience can be a mix of folks who have taught online “forever,” those new to online (and having not previously taught), those new to online (but having taught in a face-to-face class), and supervisors/administrators. The presenter does not want to lose any of these, so a good trick is to have a first slide/ question asking about the audience makeup and using the mix just described. The responses will allow for a more targeted presentation.
Preplanning: Do It
Know the material well … have additional notes at the ready if needed … understand the process/procedure expected of you in all areas of the presentation (such as fielding of questions) … do a couple of dry runs to have a good feel for fitting within the time allotted, all tech areas of the presentation, and possible tweaking of the presentation … and check placement of any visuals, audios, videos, and links. (TIP: Sometimes, a link in a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation may not work. Have the link on a separate computer sheet, then copy and paste it into the chat box if necessary.)
The Presentation Environment: Make it Comfortable and Secure
This is often overlooked, yet the more comfortable one’s surroundings during the presentation the more relaxed one will be, and thus more focused on the presentation. Have a comfortable chair and keep a glass of water nearby … be sure your presentation room is sealed off from external noise … keep a paper pad nearby for notes (do not use the computer—keys are noisy).
[NOTE: If you will be appearing via your webcam be sure what the audience sees around and behind you is professional.]
Be Certain the Online Meeting Software Is Fully Functional
Many online webinars have had disruptions or have been stopped because this one crucial step was overlooked. It’s important to run through all areas of the online meeting platform (Zoom, WebEx, Adobe Connect, etc.) you will be using during a dry run … remind folks to have their volume turned up; you do the same … be certain your PowerPoint, Prezi, et cetera, is correctly uploaded … mute all attendees (turn all on/individuals on if appropriate). [NOTE: Determine what browser is best for your presentation, i.e., Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, etc. Some browsers are better at supporting presentations than others.]
Know How to Create An Audience-Worthy PowerPoint or Prezi
Too much text on a slide, no use of visuals, a cluttered mix of fonts, moving slides too quickly, typos and grammatical and spelling errors, too much or too little color: all can torpedo a presentation. Go over each slide carefully, asking yourself, “If I am the viewer would I react positively negatively to this slide—and why?”
Presentation
Own the Time Allotted; Adjust the Presentation if Necessary
Questions and comments from attendees may result in the live presentation being tweaked in how material is presented … never be tied to a duplication of the presentation’s dry run: spur-of-the-moment thoughts and information on the subject may result in its alteration … be ready to limit or expand the “color commentary” on various points depending on the time factor.
Your Personality: It Must be Engaging and Outgoing
Excitement and enthusiasm are catching —and a dry delivery turns off attendees’ engagement … being a bit quirky or “off the wall” at times can help in keeping attendee interest … if you make an error admit it—always give the impression of being human and equal, never infallible and on a pedestal … be aware of political correctness and audience sensitivity: these change over the years, and one never wants to offend an attendee … do not go overboard with enthusiasm: it can become annoying and disconcerting, while taking away from the talking points of the presentation. Finally: always present in a conversational style—reading the bullet points word-for-word is boring, and also insults the audience (they can read, too!) … be sure of your facts … never prattle on and on—a presentation is an abbreviated form of more in-depth information.
Have Downloadable Handouts
Your presentation will not cover all nooks and crannies of its subject, thus handouts can offer more specific info for greater coverage. They allow for an extension of a presentation’s learning beyond its X amount of minutes … attendees to webinars enjoy receiving tangible reminders of the subject covered.
Be Cognizant of Speaking Speed, Tone, and Projection
Always begin by doing a voice check with the attendees, that is, “Can you hear me okay?” Other tips: Don’t rush; allow your words enough time for the audience to absorb them … vary voice tone; never present with a monotone and speak with a volume that is strong but not overly loud … enunciate … define any words, phrases, theories, et cetera the attendees may not fully understand.
Give an Interactive Presentation
No matter how colorful and enjoyable the visual presentation may be a lecture format can quickly turn off attendees (NOTE: if time dictates a lecture be sure it is an interesting and exciting one!) … if possible, build in activities and questions into the presentation and ask for comments on occasional bullet points … be on the lookout for “teachable moment” questions, activities, and comments … always respond using folks’ names.
Integrate humor, but With a Caveat
Humor can be a great bonus to keeping the attendees’ attention on your presentation, but don’t be a jokester; relate any humor to the subject and its bullets … never overuse humor: this will deflate the humor and take away from the core of the presentation. There is a caveat: never use humor if you can’t deliver it well—this will do harm, not good!
Use Video And Audio if Helpful … Include Visuals
Video and/or audio can assist in highlighting, spotlighting, or clarifying various points in the presentation … use sparingly, and rarely is an entire audio or video clip played (make sure the specific portion can be seen or heard: cue it up prior to the webinar) … the use of visuals (clipart, photos, cartoons, graphs, etc.) can help engage the audience while also reenforcing or more fully explaining a point or a subject. [NOTE: During a test run have someone on the other end determine if video/audio links work.]
Acknowledge Questions and Comments
Build in time to allow for questions and comments, as ignoring questions can make attendees feel you are not interested in them, that there is a disconnect … adjust the “how” of responding to questions according to the number of people in attendance and the presentation format … let folks know if there is no time to answer all questions they should contact you following the presentation. [NOTE: If there is a monitor to help with the presentation have this person give the questions to you.]
Be an educator first, A presenter second
Presenting self-challenges in the subject creates a more realistic and honest connect with the audience, including being humble and self-deprecating … never let the presentation become a floor show—its primary purpose is to offer information through the use of adept presentation skills … remember to thank your audience for attending: without them there would be no presentation!
Remember: A webinar is showtime, yes, but never SHOWTIME!
Notes
A few of the suggestions might seem obvious, but it is often the obvious, taken-for-granted steps that folks overlook, thus their inclusion.
This column is specifically focused on assisting individuals who will be giving online webinars. Some of the information, however, can also apply to face-to-face presentations or can be tweaked for use in face-to-face presentations.
