hey it's Riaz founder of the Every Conversation Counts platform in 17-year
television broadcaster this is the channel that helps you make deeper
connections ask the questions that create breakthrough moments and become a
captivating storyteller on every stage to get the heads up when a new video
drops every Tuesdays subscribe to this channel and hit the bells so you can be
the first to see the latest content life and isolation has created one of the
most fascinating social experiments of our lifetime that being what happens
when we replace face-to-face contact with video conferencing while at first
the convenience and efficiency of virtual meetings made us all feel Luber
productive then after time it became clear there was a big emotional void our
video apps are missing the social cues were all accustomed to touch gestures
postures glances and let's be honest sometimes on those zoom calls that can
feel like you're looking into a mirror the entire time so what can you do to
make things more intimate more interactive when talking to the camera
to help elevate your virtual speaking presence we'll consider these seven
ideas in the virtual setting as soon as your camera is live before you've said a
word your space is telling a story we are all curious creatures I mean I'm
looking at your bookshelf I'm looking at the artwork the photos on your wall
because I want to know more about you we all have an insatiable appetite for
information and audiences are making assessments of who you are how you live
what you're about before you have said a word what story do you want your space
to tell and how can you share more information in the frame you know I've
talked about the importance of starting with story right here on this channel to
help capture your audience's attention so think about the popularity of social
media accounts and vehicles like bookcase credibility and rumerator
viewers are getting a glimpse of your life behind the scenes for instance if
it's a parenting meeting maybe you have some kids artwork in the back or toys in
the background makes you more relatable in a business meeting maybe have your
place clean in or do you want to showcase some
professionalism in here I just wanted to create a warm and inviting atmosphere
where we would feel like we were hanging out in my living room and I could share
some ideas in a comfortable setting you want to make your space interesting but
not distracting and I know what you're thinking what about those virtual
backgrounds well in this two-dimensional screen experience it's already blocking
the normal social cues of seeing someone breathe nod their head move their eyes
so consider bringing them into a real space so they can authentically connect
with you as a person versus struggling to relate to you in a potentially
alienating background to be more interesting on camera you want to bring
life in real presence into your delivery how will start with interacting with
your scene using props something as simple as a coffee mug I could bring
this colorful mug into the shot and if someone's been to Spain and la Sagrada
família they might recognize this mosaic thinking oh he has has been there an
instant point of connection you know in this channel there's a video about what
it takes to be a good listener the simple exercise taking out a piece of
paper get a pen get some notes you could do this in the video this is what you
would do in a face-to-face meeting maybe it's using a flipchart cue cards anyway
that adds real elements that create a visual appeal for your audience will
help establish a connection through the screen number three this point is almost
counterintuitive look directly at the camera and not at your audience okay I
know how easy it is to get distracted looking at all those people in the boxes
on your screen but this right here is connection and while you're maintaining
that eye contact pretend like you're speaking to a
roomful of people you want to amplify your energy your gestures and your
emotion so the audience can feel it through the lens and when you make your
point pause let them digest it and forget about the immediate feedback
you're used to from a live audience because virtually you won't get it
embrace the silence it's normal here in this format just focusing on the camera
with your eye contact is such an important point to create a sense of
see to help you turn off the self you it will help you forget about the fact you
are on camera and focus on looking directly into the lens now if you're
presenting using notes go with bullet points and keep your current talking
point at the top of the screen right underneath your camera or webcam because
that will allow you to make it feel like a conversation versus just reading notes
out loud or seeing your eye line pull to the side and disconnect with your
audience when you're reading notes and finally watch your playback get the
playback link from your organizer so you can analyze your eye contact and the
energy you're putting out for the audience and that visual feedback will
make a huge difference number four we all became broadcasters
when videoconferencing took over during isolation the key difference though
between our remote presence versus in-person presence is how we describe
what's happening for example you may have heard of the traditional speaking
formula if you're setting up a workshop or speech tell them what you're going to
tell them then tell them and then tell them what you told them in the virtual
space giving the audience that type of play-by-play and drawing out the thought
map really makes it easier for people to follow along now you think about
audience questions keep the play-by-play going here when you look at that chat
box don't just read the question recognize the person who asked the
question where are they from pause and reflect upon the question and
then answer it with enthusiasm and appreciation these simple nuances make
the virtual interaction more engaging describe what you're doing are you
reading the chat box are you taking notes yourself maybe you're on your
screen on your computer looking up a specific piece of research given a
question that was just asked bring the audience into your experience number
five attention spans are so much shorter in the virtual setting because of all of
the distractions in front of us maybe it's our computers her apps our phone a
family now if you're scheduled to speak on video conference for longer than 10
minutes it is vital to switch things up consistently media theorist and author
of the book team human Douglas rushkoff we shared some great insight as to what
happens when you're in a live audience as you sit there your eyes are following
a speaker across the stage now we don't have that luxury in a virtual meaning as
the viewer you're locked in a fixed gaze looking at the screen where it's easy to
lose focus over a significant period of time as we almost fall into a dormant
state so if you're speaking speak for 7 to 10 minutes switch it up take an
audience poll read some audience feedback in the chat and share their
thoughts then speak for another 7 to 10 minutes switch it up the Q&A is a really
powerful exercise to make the presentation feel like a conversation
plan some questions with the host or emcee that are real and create a sense
of urgency as to what's happening right now and then once you get rolling start
including those audience questions you know I recently co-hosted an awards
nomination event online for the BC tech sector and instead of racing through all
of the nominees after a couple of categories we would pause I would ask
the CEO I was co-hosting with a couple of questions to reference the time we're
living in right now what the culture has been like how have people responded and
she provided insightful context into what people and companies have been
going through and that commentary really helped to humanize the experience now
soom breakout rooms are another common tool that people use you send people off
with a task maybe a question they chat for 10 minutes and then have them report
back don't just have them do the exercise have them report back because
it is so important to have your voice from your audience feel heard number six
this builds upon the role of having a host or emcee if you're speaking have
your host set you up not just with your basic bio points but with the story or
experience that humanizes who you are and what makes your accomplishments
unique this can help move your audience emotionally and have them connect with
you before you've even said of work final point embrace the unpredictability
the thrill of doing live TV over the years has been the rush of presenting
something important while knowing full well things could go sideways at any
time how do you get over this embrace the unexpected
and just be where you are maybe it's a siren outside maybe your child runs in
and wants your attention or the cat makes a cameo and zoom bombs your
presentation wrote with the punches nobody's expecting perfection with the
format but they will appreciate you owning those unscripted moments consider
this the chaos may feel awkward for you yet can be a very powerful vehicle to
create authentic human connection through the camera
there you go hopefully those 7 tips were helpful and I'll break it down for me
what has helped you to appear more confident and connect on camera in
virtual meetings hit me up with your thoughts in the comment section below
for more ideas on building human connection you can't download the free
guide the 5 secrets to making every conversation counts the link for that
guide is in the description box below thanks for watching this video for more
ideas on how to calm your nerves when speaking and tips on becoming a better
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