Avoid Crash and Burn Webinars: 5 Insider Tips to Virtual Public Speaking

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Can you actually fail public speaking class? Well, yes you can. I did. Failed with flying colors and a bucket full of embarrassment. Speaking face-to-face is hard enough for me but speaking to a group of people virtually - during a web or teleconference for example - is like speaking in a closet all by myself, only I have a headset and a computer whirring to keep me company. After many years spent talking on speakerphones and presenting endless PowerPoint presentations to invisible audiences, I've learned a few things. Here are my top five tips to help make a webinar feel more personal, natural, and productive - even if you've never been very good at public speaking.

1. Rehearse, out loud - then do it again.

Don't let a shy presenter present. Sorry if that's you, but if you can't be personable this is not the medium for you. No matter how well you know your product or topic of discussion, if you can't speak without "uh" and "um" creeping into every sentence, find someone else who can. If you are the only one you can count on, then practice, practice, practice. Practice in front of a mirror, practice in your shower, on your commute, to your co-workers and friends, or even to the janitor. Practice your spiel until you go to sleep and hear it in your dreams. Soon you'll be an expert. But if you wait until the day of the meeting to try and sound like you know what you're talking about, you'll shrink into a corner faster than you can say "failed webinar".

2. Know who you're talking to.

Know your client. Whether you're training staff or demonstrating a new product, know who will be on the other end of the line. Research the names of the people and the company you're presenting to; learn everything you can so you can talk and interact with confidence. Expect the unexpected...like the executive director of new business, even though he wasn't invited to the meeting but just happened to hear of it and decided to bring his lunch in while you talk. Know his name.

3. We all multi-task.

I multi-task when I'm being presented with a webinar - so does everyone else. Expect your audience to be doing things while they're listening to you. Gauge their interest with polls or open the phone line for questions at various points. Interact using the chat feature. Do anything you can to keep their attention while you have them. We are all busy people and to do just one thing at a time isn't a reality anymore. Realize they will be multi-tasking - maybe even make a joke about it.

4. Keep it short...even shorter than that.

Attention spans are shorter when not in a face-to-face discussion. If you can't convey your value proposition or demo your product in less than 20 minutes, go back to the drawing board and start again. Try to have your big points made within six minutes. I know - impossible! Your product is so amazing you need an hour to get everyone on board. Unfortunately, you'll lose your client if you can't pitch in six minutes and deliver the whole thing in 20. No one can stay truly attentive for an hour. That's why commercials are 30 to 60 seconds long. Training sessions may run a little longer, so be sure to provide notes for attendees to reference later on. They won't pick it all up at once.

5. You're only as good as your equipment.

Be ready for technical glitches. Though rare, it's helpful to have the phone number of tech support on-hand in case of emergency. Make sure you use a webinar service that supports the software you already have. Use a headset - speakerphones can create disruptive ambient noise for you and your clients. Test your application at least an hour before you present. Make sure you're up and running before you start your presentation. Ask attendees to dial in and log on a few minutes early, just to ensure that the meeting can start on time without stragglers.

Webinars are a staple in today's business environment. The sooner you feel confident in your ability to be a successful host, the more money your company will make and save. Not every webinar will be perfect but you'll learn quickly from your mistakes. Use these tips and soon you'll be a pro. It's not rocket science but it is people science. There are human beings on the other end of the line. Be personable, friendly and never talk over your clients. Their questions are just as important as your answers.

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