Course Outcome

This web-based presentation delivery course will:

  • Offer best practices for presenting in person and virtually.
  • Discuss audience engagement techniques.
  • Suggest methods for connecting an audience with content.
  • Provide suggestions to overcome common challenges presenters face.

Course Overview

Whether making a presentation in person or virtually, a strong presenter knows the importance of preparing to speak, hooking an audience early, and keeping them engaged and focused throughout a paper, lecture, or discussion. This virtual presentation skills course addresses the skills presenters need to communicate clearly and appear confident and in control on stage.

The program begins with best practices for preparing to present and questions presenters should consider as part of the planning process.

After that introductory discussion, we’ll look at methods for creating strong conclusions, introductions, and transitions.

Next, we’ll discuss strategies for appearing comfortable at a podium or on camera, even if stepping in front of a crowd is not something that comes naturally.

Following that module, we’ll review best practices for connecting an audience with content: focusing language, narrative tracks, stories, and analogies.

Finally, we will troubleshoot a range of possible problems: audience challenges, technical problems, time management issues, and other issues that can derail an otherwise solid presentation.

Program Objectives

At this program’s conclusion, participants should be able to:

  • Prepare for an in-person or virtual presentation.
  • Determine the desired interaction level prior to a presentation.
  • Communicate those expectations.
  • Create functional speaker notes.
  • Develop a strong conclusion, introduction, and transitions.
  • Practice strategies for reducing nervousness and self-consciousness.
  • Leverage a narrative track and focusing language.
  • Identify statistics, stories, analogies, and examples to support a presentation’s message.
  • Troubleshoot common problems.

Program Modules

  • Preparing to Present: Questions to Ask and Answer
  • Creating the Map: Strong Conclusions, Introductions, and Transitions
  • Looking Comfortable: Tactics for Appearing Confident and in Control
  • Engaging an Audience: Tips and Tools for Maintaining Focus
  • Anticipating Problems: Troubleshooting Before Trouble Happens

By the end of this training course, participants should be able to apply a range of tips, tricks, and ideas to the presentation planning and delivery process.