Course Outcomes

This online virtual presentation skills course will:

  • Share best practices for delivering online presentations.
  • Offer a framework for determining an appropriate engagement level.
  • Explain the value of a narration track and what it should include.
  • Suggest several ideas for maintaining an audience’s focus.
  • Give concrete advice for creating engagement.

Course Overview

Even skilled presenters face a learning curve when they transition from in-person to online delivery. Instead of a sea of faces, they’re only names. Cues that are easily read in person are now harder to decode and perhaps even invisible. The rhythm is weird and people distracted. What can be done? Fortunately, a lot. This online instructor-led presentation skills course focuses exclusively on tips and tricks for giving engaging online presentations. During the program, participants will learn best practices for getting people to interact in a way that the presenter wants. They will also discover ways to leverage words and body language to maintain focus. This course works well on its own or as part of a pick-and-choose series. It is most frequently paired with presentation design and PowerPoint tips.

Note: For groups that prefer in-person delivery, we offer a similar virtual presentation skills course in an onsite format called Clicks and Tricks: Skills for Virtual Presenters.

Program Objectives

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

  • Use a story map to plan a presentation or meeting.
  • Create a framing statement and expectations statement.
  • Discuss various options for creating and using speaker notes.
  • Determine the roles and support needed to execute a presentation.
  • Leverage PowerPoint’s voice-to-text tool.
  • Follow best practices for appearing professional on camera.
  • Set the tone for a presentation or meeting.
  • Use words and modeling to get the desired interaction level.
  • Maintain control by creating a strong narration track.
  • Use verbal and nonverbal cues to guide people’s eyes and hands.
  • Adhere to best practices when handling questions.
  • Use a range of tools for creating interactions.

Program Modules

  • Planning a Virtual Meeting or Presentation: From Framing Statements to Engagement Levels
  • Getting Comfortable in the Virtual World: Looking Natural and Feeling Comfortable Online
  • Following Best Practices for Starting Meetings and Presentations: Tone Setting Know-How
  • Maintaining Control and Focus: Engagement Made Easier
  • Learning from Others: Evaluate and Learn

By the conclusion of the end of this web-based training course, participants should have a firm grasp of the actions they can take to improve their virtual presentations.