Virtual Presenter Toolkit

A Note to Presenters

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Congratulations on presenting at this year’s EDUCAUSE Annual Conference Online!

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We’ve put together this Virtual Presenter Toolkit (as well as resource pages) to help you plan and prepare for your presentation. After all, preparation is the single most important part of delivering a successful presentation. Thank you again for presenting!

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Your Audience

Your Audience

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Consider your audience level: basic, intermediate, advanced?

Your session should:

What actions do you want them to take during or after the event?

What motivates your audience to take these actions?

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Be aware of your diverse, global audience.�

• Time zones/seasons: Avoid saying “Good morning/afternoon” or referring to the season.
• Avoid jargon: Piece of cake, missed the boat, dropped the ball, etc.
• Gestures: Be mindful of any physical gestures. �Example: the “OK” sign is rude in some countries.�

If including photos with people in them, make sure to choose ones that have diversity.�

Be sure to review your slides for any cultural sensitivities.

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“Must-Watch” Module

(click below to watch)

Presenter Support Module

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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(7-minute video)

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Preparing Your Content

Preparing Your Content

• Cover the points you outlined in your session title and abstract so you are true to what you have “advertised” your session to be.

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Maintain your audience’s full attention by:

• Providing a new visual every 30 to 60 seconds.
• Change up the type of visuals throughout your presentation.
• Limit each slide to one clear idea or topic.
• Give your audience a simple set of takeaways to remember – 4 or fewer is ideal.

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“Must-Watch” Module

(click below to watch)

Presenter Support Module

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Content and Detail

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(4-minute video)

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Preparing Your Content

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Consider this list. Your goal: To have your attendees feel like they could check off every box after watching your presentation.

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• It responded to my needs.
• I could see how it applied to me.
• There was a lot of participation.
• I was drawn in quickly.
• The explanations were clear and concise.
• I could relate to the examples.
• It applied to my job.
• I understood where the presentation was going.

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• There were lots of takeaways I could use.
• The session was interactive.
• There was warmth and humor.
• I felt engaged and connected to the presenters.
• The materials were clear and useful.
• There wasn’t a lot of time wasted.
• The presenter “spoke my language.”

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Preparing Your Content

Leave a Lasting Impression

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Audiences remember the last thing they saw or heard and thus you want to be absolutely clear on what action you want them to take.

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• What are the 3 things they should walk away with?�
• How will those 3 things help them?�
• Action: What should they do next?

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Engagement

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Engagement is Everything

Audience Engagement�Participants can get easily distracted during online presentations.

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Employ techniques to draw them into your presentation - and away from their email - or worse yet, clicking away from your presentation...

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Presenter Support Module

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Audience Interaction

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(4-minute video)

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“Must-Watch” Module

(click below to watch)

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“Do’s” for Audience Engagement

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• DO start your presentation off with an engagement tactic. Avoid spending your first few valuable minutes on housekeeping and introductions. (You can include details about who you are and what you do throughout the session.)

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• For live and simulive sessions: DO use the chatbox early and often! Ask questions to increase interaction.�
• DO use short quizzes and polls to keep people’s attention.�
• DO use interesting graphics, videos, storytelling and quotes (just be sure to be clear on copyright restrictions). Share personal or professional experiences that are pertinent to the topic.

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All of these things draw the attendee into your presentation and create interaction & engagement.

More on Storytelling...

Storytelling is beneficial to the learner and makes your presentation more personable and memorable.

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• How: Introduce the “hero” or “concept”, then the adversity, and then the “win.” People love the messy stuff—your pain points. Keep the introduction to 2-3 minutes. �
• Why: Make sure you (and the audience) know why you are telling the story. What is your point?�
• Break your session into a series of 3–5 minute segments. Alternate between informative, inspirational, or entertaining segments. This keeps your audience on their toes!�

Check out these

15 Storytelling Tips.

Engagement Through Q&A

Q & A in Your Presentation

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• For Live Sessions Only: Allocate 10- 15 minutes at the end of your 45 minute time slot to answer questions. This can be a very important time to connect with the audience.
• Leave a little content out of your presentation for Q&A.
• Start your Q&A with questions sourced from your audience beforehand.

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Note: Live sessions offer live Q&A. For simulive sessions, there is no designated time for Q&A within the 20-minute pre-recorded presentation. All questions and interactivity for simulive occurs in the chat box during the live broadcast. For On-Demand there is no Q&A.

Creating Your PowerPoint

Ensure your PowerPoint effectively emphasizes your presentation

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• Use short (5–7 words) bullets vs. long passages
• Use formatting that allows for easy reading
• Use striking images/videos
• Ensure images used are inclusive/diverse
• Ensure videos have captions included

Presenter Support Module

Using Visuals

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(4-minute video)

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“Must-Watch” Module

(click below to watch)

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Let’s Talk Tech

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Your Computer

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• Review system requirements provided by EDUCAUSE�
• If you are using a work computer, see if there are any firewalls�
• Disconnect from/don’t use your work VPN�
• Have your PPT and/or videos open�
• Consider using two monitors (put your PPT in presentation mode to see your notes)

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Connectivity

• A hardline (using a cable) internet is recommended, if possible.�
• Recommended internet speed: 10 mbps up/down.�
• Using wifi?
• Sit close to your router
• Close all unnecessary applications
• If sharing internet with others, ask them to minimize their usage during your talk
• Turn on your cell phone hot spot in case you lose internet

Your Mic/Audio

Most computers have a built-in microphone. To ensure your voice sounds clear and external noises are kept to a minimum, consider the following:�

• Use an external USB microphone that plugs into your laptop; place it closer to you for better audio.�
• Use a headset with a built-in microphone; helps cancel out unwanted noises.�
• Be ready to use alternate audio (per instructions from staff) if needed.

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Your Camera

Most computers come with a built-in webcam.

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• Turn on the HD setting for your webcam�
• An external webcam can be used if your computer does not have one�
• Make sure to allow the online platform to access your camera (pop-up).

Setting Yourself Up for Success

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Guidelines for Virtual Delivery

• Sit in a space where there is no background noise or distractions.�
• Ensure your camera is at eye level; look straight at camera when speaking.�
• Refrain from swiveling/rocking in your chair. �
• Better yet: STAND! This makes it feel more “real”- like you are presenting in a room with attendees. Be sure to raise your laptop so that you are eye level with it.

Lighting

• Consider the time of day when you will present; natural light can improve how you appear on camera. You can also adjust a light to your face.�
• Avoid having a window behind you. This can cause the background to be over-exposed.�
• Keep your background neutral.

Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse

• Practice in a mirror so you can see how you look while speaking.�
• Record yourself delivering your presentation. Share with another person to get feedback.�
• Practice more. Time it.

Remove Distractions

Day of…

Final Reminders—Day of Presentation

Thank You for Using this Toolkit

Like most skills, presenting requires preparation, practice and performing. We hope the materials in the toolkit will help you with these preparations so you can deliver an enriching learning experience for conference attendees.

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“Must-Watch” Presenter Support Modules

(click below to watch!)

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Explore all the presenter support modules→

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• How to Use Presentation Time Effectively (4:10)

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• Using Visuals (4:13)

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• Presentation Content and Detail (4:19)

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• Audience Interaction (4:22)

More Presenter Resources

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• EDUCAUSE’s Presenter Concierge (includes many speaker resources, articles, video clips, etc.)

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• The Presenter Resource Center (includes FAQ’s, the event PowerPoint template, and specific instructions for presenters.)

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• For additional assistance please contact EDUCAUSE’s Speaker Liaison at sreynolds@educause.edu or 720.406.6742

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Thank you & Good Luck!

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