As more and more public speaking classes dip their toes into online education—okay, some
of us have been pushed into those turbulent waters—we are increasingly turning to video
conferencing software like Zoom for speech presentations.
This video will focus on using presentation aids in a video conference setting that is
designed to mimic a traditional public speaking situation, like when you are taking a face-to-face
public speaking class—where you have to stand up in front of the room and deliver
your presentation, often with PowerPoint.
This video will not address webinar-style presentations where the speaker is often sitting
down in front of their computer monitor and sharing their computer screen, similar to
what I’m doing now—even if you can’t see me…
Oh, Hi!
Before we get started, I’m sure that all instructors have their preferences and their
pet peeves.
And, also be aware that technology changes and this video may be outdated by the time
you look at it.
So, as we are assuming you’re a student watching this, check with your instructor.
We will focus first on some recommendation—what you should do—before we go into what you
shouldn’t do.
And we are limiting this video to aids that would mimic PowerPoint or traditional “boards,”
like poster board—we’re not addressing objects like stress balls; you’re probably
already getting instruction in that—including recommendations about not using live animals,
like my student, Max’s, green cheek conure, Joji.
But, hey!
At least we can see those.
First, however, let’s get real about your limitations in this type of setting:
You’ll likely have to stand, making sure your upper body is visible on the screen—we
want to give feedback on your posture and gestures.
That means you’ll have to step back from your laptop’s webcam or your phone (which
you have propped up or on a tripod, so it doesn’t wobble, right?).
And, we want to see your facial expressions and hear your dulcet tones so you can’t
be too far back.
And, of course, we need to see your visual aids—otherwise, they neither “aid” nor
enhance the presentation.
PowerPoint, as we typically use it, is probably not going to work for you.
You probably don’t have just the right size spare monitor hanging around that you can
use to project on.
While a TV might work, you’d also need the know-how to hook everything up.
And, you’re already likely stumbling along with technology using the video conferencing
software so the Murphy’s Law axiom definitely applies: “If anything can go wrong it will
go wrong—and at the worst possible moment.”
But, hey, if you’ve got the equipment and know-how, do it!
But, if you’re like most of us, you’ll need to go low-tech–and I mean really low
tech.
Some suggestions are: Traditional “boards,” like foam core or
illustrator board, rigid enough to not flop around.
And size is important, too.
While in a classroom, bigger is definitely better, on a computer screen, if it’s too
big it will be out of the video frame.
Regardless, figure out if you want to hold it or put it on an easel or something that
will prop it up so it doesn’t slide down.
Standard 8-1/2” x 11” paper.
How low tech is this?
Create your PowerPoint and print it on paper.
Then, when you present, show it to the camera.
Tips with this technique: Use the landscape mode to design your aids.
If you’re using PowerPoint, that’s the default, but the default for a word processor
is portrait mode, so you’ll want to change the layout.
Most computer monitors are set up in landscape mode so if you use portrait mode, you’ll
block your face or some of your content won’t even show up.
Don’t cram everything on one page.
Make your image or words as large as possible and take up the whole page.
Print in color, if possible.
Limit the number so we see you most of the time and the aids only when we need to see
them.
When you need to show them, put a piece of cardstock or –or even a clipboard—behind
it.
I might use a pad of paper—you know, the ones with the tear-off pages and a thin cardboard
backing.
And you only need one of these as you can slip it behind each page when you lift it
up.
When you need to show it, step closer to the camera or webcam and show it to the webcam,
not the center of your screen.
Hold it steady as, especially if we are experiencing bandwidth issues, webcams take time to focus
on an image; it will be blurry otherwise.
And only show it for the time we need to see it.
Remember: we want to see you more than your aids.
Flip chart paper that you can attach to the wall.
They make the sticky ones using the sticky post-it note technology, but beware: these
are a little pricier than most.
However, they have the advantage of being “moved around.”
You can take them off the pad and stack and reorganize them, while if you have a traditional
flip chart, if you want to insert a page after you’ve done some, it’s a bit more work.
If you have butcher paper, you might be able to use that.
Of course, you’ll have to have neat writing or great drawing skills—but that’s no
different than if you were using the traditional “boards” in a face-to-face classroom speech.
Tips with this technique: Use a computer to create and print out the
words and pictures you want to use and cut and paste those onto your paper (make it look
professional, of course), Use blank sheets to block us from seeing the
next sheet.
For example, start with a blank sheet, take it off when showing your first aid and, if
there isn’t something for us to see for another couple of minutes, either put the
first blank one up again or have another blank one in between so that when you take off the
visual we just saw, you can have a blank one that we see until you pull that off to show
the next aid.
Also, make sure you are framed well; the video shows you standing next to the flipchart paper,
not blocking it or way to the side—and point to what you want us to see (still making most
of your eye contact with the camera).
You can move in front of it if you have a blank page up.
And really low tech?
How about a medium-sized chalkboard or whiteboard that you have attached to the wall?
You need to have things written on it in advance or, if you have to write or draw during your
presentation, limit that and make sure that we can see both you and the chalkboard—and
that you look at us most of the time.
Of course, neatness counts.
Well, after hearing all of the recommendations, you can probably figure out the don’ts,
so we’ll go through them quickly.
The basic don’t is: Don’t be distracting, unprofessional, or look unprepared.
Try not to use small paper or paper without some sort of backing, otherwise it will flop
around.
Poster board, even though it’s large, is also flimsy and flops around.
Don’t staple your papers together; it’s awkward and you’ll fumble them when you
change them.
Don’t have an aid for every point unless you need it.
In a physical classroom, many students who use PowerPoint have a slide up all the time.
And, in a webinar setting, you have to have something on the screen at all time (a blank
or stale screen is the kiss of death) But, in our case, we’re not presenting in
either of those settings, but we are still trying to mimic the traditional face-to-face
speech in a virtual environment.
Having an aid or holding onto one for every point, especially something word heavy like
your preview statement or a bulleted list, would be extremely ineffective.
Don’t use your phone as your aid to show pictures or PowerPoint slides.
You may get some screen glare and it’s pretty awkward to move from side to side.
So, there you have it: With the knowledge of the limitations you’ll
face when you do a traditional public speech in a video conference setting, recommendations
for how to choose and use your aids effectively, and a series of things to avoid, you’ll
be able to be competitive when you swim in the online pool.
Regardless of the type of aid you use, it’s vitally important to practice with them.
Record yourself so you can see what the camera—and we—see.
Otherwise, you may find yourself floundering in those treacherous waters of online public
speaking.