What to Wear to a Webinar

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never watched myself work and interact with other people more than I am at the moment. I’m still so uncomfortable with staring at my own face while I listen to others, I’m yet to figure out how to make it so I can’t see me, but others can.

But enough about me, let’s talk about you. Are you preparing properly for your daily webinar/zoom/skype check ins? I’ve been watching lots of content lately because hey, what else is there to do when you can’t physically network! There’s been a variety of platforms, modes and delivery methods on offer and I’d like to offer a few thoughts from the peanut gallery.

• Dress for success! Be the newsreader – it’s okay to not wear any pants, but you should look presentable from the waste up. But remember, if you are going to go sans pants, you can’t get up and walk around, and you should check that no-one can see your reflection from any other angle!
• Check your background for weird book covers, cartoon characters adorning the walls, anything that may reduce your credibility in the workplace. I’m a big fan of translating virtual to live so if you wouldn’t show it in your office, don’t show it in your “virtual” office.
• We want to see people. If you are making a presentation, resist the urge to take your presentation material full screen. 2/3rds is fine, we want to see you, we came to see you, and your communication helps us digest the information so much easier. My first webinar I watched was a static PowerPoint presentation with the presenters doing a voice over – it was booooooooorrrrrrring!
• Help the audience understand how to ask a question, provide a space for discussion and if you can, allow people to come into the conversation. We want to hear voices and see faces, particularly in this physical isolation environment.
• Have a back up plan if your internet drops out. If you’re streaming an event, pretend you’re a television station from 1975. Remember those intermissions – a simple slide that says “we’re having technical difficulties and will return shortly – enjoy this tune while you wait”. Regardless of what it is, help me know if the issue is your end or mine. Otherwise you might lose me.
• Can you offer your presenters a short media training online? Speaking to “camera” versus speaking “from the stage” are 2 very different comfort levels. They are also consumed differently and sometimes we can look very bland on camera, or overacting. Grab a presentation coach, set up a group call with all your presenters and tap into someone who is a presentation coach. A short call with a few tips to help them present in their best light, will take you a step closer to hosting a valuable event.
• Check your tech!!! I can’t say this loud enough. Make sure you have set everyone up so their audio is off and only you can control it. Make sure too, that you are able to control their video if necessary. I’m sure we’ve all seen the video of the online chat that goes horribly wrong when one participant decides to take their phone to the toilet!
• Set up closed caption or a transcription. I can’t always have the audio on and sometimes I don’t catch what they’re saying. Doubling down on having a transcription or closed captions as well really helps me understand the message.
• Leave guests with downloadable fact sheets, where to find out more information or how to get in contact with you.

This virtual environment offers so much more than a live environment, but it’s important to remember how we use our energy and what excites us.

There’s no way we could sit and watch ABC news for 8 hours, but we can watch Game of Thrones for 36 hours. Be Game of Thrones. Wear the viking hat, make it interesting.

For a confidential discussion on how to make your presentation or speaker program more interesting, drop me a line [email protected].