Prescription For Excellence

With Dr. James J. Williams

Zooming From East to West: 10 Tips in Virtual Speaking

As a professor, I know that online classes offer an emergency solution. Anything in these lockdown times is better than nothing. I also know the power of video storytelling. After immersing myself in Zoom tutorials, I realized there were some missing pieces, and I found myself bringing my experiences into my Zoom storytelling for an audience.

The essentials

What are the keys to successful teaching or presenting on the small screen? First, think of yourself as a “one man band” in charge of producing and hosting a multimedia “show.” You will need to multitask, but practice makes perfect. Before you get started, invest in good equipment. Virtual backgrounds offer a creative way to teach. Each background picture can say 1,000 words. It also looks best if you have a green-screen popup on a stand behind you plus a ring light on a tripod in front of you. Also, try to get a good quality microphone for your computer. All this extra gear should cost less than $300 USD — a small investment for a great return, especially if you might be teaching and public-speaking from home for longer than just the short term.

Farland Chang, an Emmy award-winning storyteller who aims to bridge the East and the West. For nearly 30 years, he has been covering news stories across the United States and Asia for such media organizations as NBC and CNN International. Farland is now CEO and executive producer of WorldBizWatch, a global media company that produces documentaries, TV ads, branded entertainment and corporate films. He offers 10 tips for effective zooming presentations that I’ve also adopted:

1. Perform. As teacher or host, you’re not acting, but you are performing.

So bring your energy and be your best. Communicating on the small screen means you’re definitely not larger than life. And you won’t enjoy the same electricity as in an auditorium or live lecture hall. But you can make up for all that if you prepare well. Know what to say and how to say it and give a good show.

2. Be conversational. Talk into your camera as if you’re talking to a friend. This is easier if you have two monitors — one to see your audience, the second to show what’s on your screen.

3. Be Interactive. Two-way communication, even if it’s just asking your audience to raise hands to say yes or no to a question. Keep your audience engaged.

4. Use Q and A. The smaller your audience, the easier for people to participate.

Q and A gives your talk a chance to “breathe.” But if the audience is too large, this can be tough to accommodate, especially on the technical side, if you unmute all microphones and end up with lots of noise. Is Q and A possible for a large audience? Yes, perhaps if an assistant gathers questions during your talk through the Zoom chat feature.

5. Face to face. My audience enjoys a better experience if they see what I say and how I say it. Likewise, I want to gauge if they’re excited — or falling asleep. So, invite everyone in your audience to turn on their own cameras.

Hopefully this will encourage them to lean in more and not tune out.

6. Use at least two monitors. The first one is for you to see your audience and speak into that camera. The second one is for you to see what you share on your screen.

7. Go mobile, and surprise your audience. With five cameras, I can take one of the iPhones with me, cut loose from my “studio” setup, and give the audience a walking tour wherever I am. Just make sure in advance that your internet connection will remain strong as you move around.

8. Share videos on your desktop. This can also be great for homework. Students can use their smartphones to shoot and edit their videos, then share on their desktops. The whole class can now see every student in their own world, in action, literally “outside the box.”

9. Stand when you are speaking, with props in the foreground, green screen in the background. The best teachers and presenters are standing up when speaking to their audience. Don’t speak while sitting down.

Just like speaking in a lecture hall, I feel and project myself best when I am standing, not sitting. I would normally walk around students seated in a U-shape classroom, but that’s impossible online. So instead, I try to use props in front of the camera while speaking at eye level. I also make use of the green screen background to share photos, each of which, again, can say a thousand words.

10. A great ending. Plan out how your talk will end before it begins. Make it unforgettable. Don’t bore. Remember, always leave the audience wanting more.

There is one downside with Zoom: security. And this has led to bad headlines lately, such as intruders called “Zoom bombers.” As good as these online classes and presentations can be, they are not as good as meeting in person. But given that won’t happen again anytime soon, it might be best to make the most of videoconferencing technology and opportunities available to you now.

And after this global crisis is over, I predict those who master online teaching and presenting will find more professional doors open to them. What you are doing now might not be a temporary solution, but part of a revolution in how we work, meet, teach and learn.

Whatever your message, wherever you are, whoever you’re reaching, I hope this helps. And if you have your own good tips, please share with others.

The opinions expressed here by Next Generation Speakers Magazine columnists are their own, not those of the magazine itself.

Email - jjwilliamsphd@gmail.com Cell - 301-806-8614 Webstore - ChasingTheEagle.com Twitter @jjwilliamsphd LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/james-j-williams

PRESCRIPTION FOR EXCELLENCE With Dr. James J. Williams SCHOLAR | AUTHOR | SPEAKER | VETERAN | SUCCESS EXPERT

Available Now on Amazon!

The wait is over! In Cicone Prince’s highly anticipated 5th book, he shares fundamental principles of Leadership that are a game changer if properly applied to the all important role of Leadership. He makes no apologies for highlighting the importance of equipping the Next Generation with the tools they need to succeed.

Leadership That Lasts will have you running to help someone else prepare for their future while realizing your success.

Order Yours Today! Click the link below:

I wanted to create this platform to allow individuals to share their story on how they are impacting the world in their own way. From the minister, attorney, doctor, caregiver, singer, nurse, soldier and the everyday person who decided to Make It Happen! These individuals have recognized that there is a calling on their lives to never stop until their mission is complete. I wanted people to share their stories on how despite the failures, disappointments, illnesses, or struggles, they were able to “Make It Happen”. See life is full of setbacks. There are always peaks and valleys that you will need to walk or climb. Through it all it is up to You to Make It Happen

www.makeithappenthebook.com

Here is how you can stay connected with Kearn Cherry Email & Phone Number 228-239-1867 kearn@prnhomecareservices.com

Websites: http://www.kearncherry.com/ http://www.time2levelup.com/ http://www.powerupsummit.com/ http://www.successconference.info/ http://www.prnhomecareservices.com/

Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/kearncherry/ Clubhouse - @kearncherry https://www.facebook.com/kearn.crockettcherry https://www.facebook.com/KearnCherry https://www.facebook.com/PRNHCS https://www.instagram.com/kearncherry/ https://twitter.com/KearnCherryPRN https://www.pinterest.com/KearnLCherry/ http://youtube.com/kearncherry

Other Facebook Business Pages and Groups https://www.facebook.com/successwomensconference https://www.facebook.com/groups/kkonnections https://www.facebook.com/groups/successwomensnation https://www.facebook.com/PRNHCS https://www.facebook.com/leveluppowerupsummit