Now that more people are working remotely, it’s important to be able to present over Zoom. Giving a Zoom presentation can be a little different than giving an in-person presentation. That’s why it’s important to practice your Zoom presentation before you give it so you can make sure everything goes smoothly.
How do I prepare for a Zoom presentation?
Getting ready for a Zoom presentation is similar to getting ready for any other type of presentation. You’ll want to make sure that you have all of your materials ready and that you understand the flow of your presentation. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re familiar with the Zoom interface and tools.
There are tons of potential issues that can come up when you’re presenting over Zoom. For example, you might experience audio or video issues, or you might have trouble sharing your screen. The best way to deal with these potential issues is to practice your presentation ahead of time.
Here are some tips to help you get ready for your Zoom presentation:
Design a Great Slide Deck
Just because you’re presenting over Zoom doesn’t mean that your slide deck can be lazy. In fact, it’s even more important to have a great slide deck when you’re presenting over Zoom because people are more likely to get distracted. Make sure that your slides are well-designed and easy to follow.
Here are some tips for designing a great slide deck:
Keep it simple.
The best online presentations are focused and easy to follow. When you’re designing your slides, make sure that each slide has one key point. Don’t try to cram too much information onto each slide.
Use a plain background and simple fonts so that your slides are easy to read. Also, make sure you center your text and use bullet points. Lastly, use a large font size. It’ll be easier for people to read your slides if they’re not straining their eyes.
Make it interactive.
Just because you’re presenting over Zoom doesn’t mean that your presentation has to be boring. Here are a few ways to make your Zoom presentation more interactive.
You can use the breakout room feature to break your participants into smaller groups. This is a great way to get people talking and interacting with each other. You can also use the poll feature to engage your audience and get them involved in your presentation. And finally, don’t forget to use the chat feature. This is a great way to answer questions and keep the conversation going during your presentation.
If you need assistance with your slide deck, consider hiring a professional presentation designer.
Tidy Up Your Zoom Background
When you’re presenting over Zoom, people can see your background. So it’s important to make sure that your background is tidy and professional.
You can use a virtual background if you want to get really creative with your background. Just make sure that the virtual background doesn’t distract from your presentation. If you don’t want to use a virtual background, then just make sure that your real background is clean and clutter-free.
Draw Attention to Yourself
When you’re presenting over Zoom, it’s important to make sure that people can see you. After all, they won’t be able to read your body language if they can’t see you.
There are a few things you can do to make sure that people can see you.
First, make sure that you’re in a well-lit room. Second, don’t sit in front of a window because the light will be too bright and it’ll be hard for people to see you. Third, use the spotlight feature to draw attention to yourself. Lastly, make sure that your camera is at eye level. Nobody wants to look up your nose!
Check Your Equipment
It’s always a good idea to double-check your equipment before you start your presentation. This is especially true when you’re presenting over Zoom.
Make sure that your microphone is working and that your camera is pointing in the right direction. You should also test your screen sharing feature ahead of time to make sure that it’s working properly. And finally, make sure that you have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. For example, you might want to have a copy of your presentation on your computer in case you can’t share your screen.
Minimize Distractions
When you’re presenting over Zoom, it’s important to minimize distractions. This means that you should turn off your email and social media notifications. You might also want to close any tabs that you’re not using so that you’re not tempted to check them. And finally, make sure that your family and friends know not to interrupt you while you’re presenting. The last thing you want is for your dog to start barking in the middle of your presentation!
Record Your Presentation
Once you’re done with your presentation, it’s a good idea to record it. This way, you can go back and watch it later to see how you did.
To record your Zoom presentation, just click the “Record” button at the bottom of the screen. You can then save the recording to your computer or share it with others.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
The best way to improve your Zoom presentation skills is to practice. When you’re first starting out, it might be helpful to practice with a friend or family member. But eventually, you should try presenting in front of a larger group.
There are also a few online resources that can help you practice your Zoom presentation skills. For example, you can find practice presentations on YouTube. But the best way to practice is to just jump in and start presenting. The more you do it, the better you’ll get!
Now that you know how to practice your Zoom presentation, it’s time to get started! Remember to use the tips and tricks in this article so that you can improve your skills and deliver a great presentation. Good luck!
