Tips from Showbusiness to Jazz-Up Your Next Virtual Presentation

Written By

Cookerly Public Relations

This insight post is a summary of the original blog post authored by Stephen Brown of Cookerly PR. Read the original post: Give ‘Em the Old Razzle-Dazzle When Conducting Your Next Virtual Presentation.

The next time someone says, “Oh, let’s just do a Zoom” (or Hangout or Teams, etc), remember that there are many creative ways to deliver an engaging virtual presentation experience. 

Worldcom partners at Cookerly PR offer tips from the theater and film showbusiness that can help show you mean business.

Embed a Storytelling Logline with Moments of Improv

Some meeting maestros forget the most basic outline and neglect flourishes to imbue a session with levers and levity that will keep participants engaged and entertained. Make sure your flow format draws people in and provides variety. Participants enjoy changes of pace, pops of visual illustration and even fun moments where you jazz-up a generally mundane medium.

Provide a compelling run of show upfront so attendees will know when key topics will be covered and when there will be breaks. Set the stage by addressing potential questions at the start of the presentation, such as: How can the audience ask questions? Does everyone need to mute themselves? 

Plan to have a dynamic moderator — or two — to emcee the meeting or event, introduce speakers and manage transitions. To the extent possible, limit individual sessions to a maximum of 20 minutes. If a conference is longer than two hours, schedule “bio breaks.” Lead with your most dynamic presenter and then strategically space your supporting ensemble of speakers to optimize the tempo of sessions. 

You can also incorporate activities to increase engagement. For example, mail a giveaway to audience members in advance with numbered packages they will open throughout the event. You may also incorporate surveys, digital “pop quizzes” and breakout sessions.

To get more tips, read the full blog post “Give ‘Em the Old Razzle-Dazzle When Conducting Your Next Virtual Presentation.” You can find other insights on Management and Webinars.

Cookerly PR is an award-winning marketing communications firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1991, Cookerly has focused on powering perceptions through media relations, managing reputations through effective crisis communication, producing measurable results with digital marketing and developing integrated marketing strategies for clients.