Presenting In Lockdown: A Guide for Virtual Event Speakers
Presenting in a virtual event from your home is new for everyone.
With this in mind, we have compiled some essential tips to help speakers in their homes put their best virtual foot forward.
Equipment Check-In
Connectivity
A stable, high quality Internet connection is critical. We recommend a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps.
You can check the speed of your home Internet at speedtest.net or an equivalent site. If you are concerned about the stability of your connection, hard wiring your computer to your router with an ethernet cable will help.
Your streaming production team will work with you during the virtual event rehearsals to ensure you have the correct set up.
Microphone & Camera
Check that your microphone is working and does not have any interference. You can test the microphone using your computer. Your technician will also be able to conduct a microphone test ahead of your presentation.
The first is to ensure the camera is at eye level and in front of you. The second is to maintain eye contact with the audience - look at the camera.
Presenting environment
For the virtual stage, a quiet room where the speaker won’t be interrupted is a must. We recommend organising the space so the backdrop is clear of too many distracting objects i.e. bookshelves, photo frames etc.
A couple of carefully placed objects can add a little interest without causing a distraction. Lighting should also be considered. Where possible, natural light is best. However, windows directly behind the speaker should be avoided.
If using a virtual background you will need a ‘green screen’ behind the speaker. This can be as simple as a frame with a blanket. The screen can be any colour (although bright green usually works best) as long as it doesn’t feature on the speaker’s clothes or hair.
Important to note
Consider ways to keep movement to a minimum. Avoid swivel chairs!
Also, speakers should consider clothing choices. Dots, stripes and small patterns can interfere with the camera and create a distracting, distorted effect.