The success of an online conference (as well as many other types of virtual meetings) largely depends on the speakers and the content they present in front of the participants. However, it is worth keeping in mind the technical basics that can significantly affect the quality of the speech.

Incomprehensible presentation slides

The first mistake speakers make when giving online speeches is to use presentation slides that are difficult for the audience to read. Too much text, spelling errors or inappropriate choice of colors and graphics can cause attendees to quickly become distracted and lose interest in the speech or even the entire event. To prevent this, check if there are words or sentences in your presentation slides that you can leave out, and make sure there are no typos in the texts. In addition, make sure that graphics are legible even when displayed on a smartphone screen, as well as rely on proven color combinations or choose a ready-made graphic template.

Backgrounds that draw attention away from the speaker

For speakers connecting online from their home or workplace, a significant problem can be a failure to take care of the background visible behind the speaker. A cluttered room or too little lighting can be perceived as a lack of professionalism, so the perception of the content being presented can be impaired. Before joining the event, it is a good idea to take care of a neutral background, such as a wall, as well as to try to sit facing a window or a light source.

Background noises

Sometimes there are also various noises coming from the speaker's surroundings, such as household conversations or a dog barking. This makes it impossible to effectively convey knowledge to the audience, but it also distracts and annoys the speaker. To prevent this, it is best to ensure that you are alone in the room during the speech. It's a good idea to notify household members that we will be speaking, and to text the delivery man scheduled to deliver a package about our availability. This will reduce the likelihood of "distractions" and ensure a smooth presentation.

Unstable Internet connection

There's nothing worse these days than a connection breaking during a meeting. An unstable Internet connection often takes the form of video delays and stuttering voice and video. You look unprofessional, the audience writes comments about technical problems instead of chat questions, and in the worst scenarios it becomes completely impossible to conduct a speech. So before joining an event, it is a good idea to test the strength of the wifi signal and prepare a personal hotspot on a mobile device that we can use in case of an emergency.

The lack of space for interaction with listeners

Do not forget to interact with the participants! Sometimes a speaker thinks mainly about the content of his presentation, completely forgetting the fact that there may be questions or concerns about it. In addition to the well-known Q&A sessions, a proven way for such interaction are surveys and quizzes, which can often be a valuable source of feedback.