8 subtle shifts that will help you enjoy public speaking on Zoom

Public speaking is one thing. Public speaking on Zoom comes with a whole new dimension of challenges, especially if you get nervous about presenting.

From potential technical issues to being unable to rely on non-verbal cues from your audience, it’s easy to break a sweat about all the things that could go wrong while giving a virtual talk. But what if you could not only manage your performance anxiety but also learn how to enjoy public speaking on Zoom calls?

With a few subtle shifts ranging from mindset tricks to very practical habits, that’s entirely possible. Here are eight expert-approved speaking tips to embrace before your next virtual presentation.

Take some and leave some depending on what feels right for you, as the whole idea is to adopt practices that will help you have fun with the experience (and deliver a better speech in the process).

1. Go with the flow

“Glitches will happen. The most important thing is not to worry about them happening, but how you’re able to quickly respond to whatever issues you might face,” says Linda Pophal, lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and marketing consultant.

“This might involve shutting down and signing back in, clearing your cache, etc. Have plans in place prior to your presentations and inform your audience of what they should do if something unexpected occurs.”

2. Use Zoom to your advantage

Yes, there are disadvantages to presenting on a Zoom call vs. in person. But if you’re dreading the thought of public speaking on a video call, there are also benefits. Lee Gimpel, the founder of Better Meetings, a meeting design, facilitation, and training company, recommends experimenting with the Zoom call view you’re using to look at your audience.

“You might find it very helpful to see lots of little squares or you might find it helpful to pin a friendly face in the audience and speak, seemingly, just to that one person. You might also find it helpful to turn off the self-view and worry less about your own facial expressions,” he says.

3. Include engagement prompts

Want to get over your self-consciousness? Turn the attention on your audience with engaging prompts. For example, you could ask people to raise their hands to confirm whether they’ve experienced a relatable work scenario, or even prompt specific people to speak to issues in their departments, according to Michael Alexis, CEO of TeamBuilding.

“These moments of other people participating give you a chance to breathe and collect your thoughts. The technique also flips the framework of the call from public speaking to something more like ‘an active conversation between participants, led by you.’ While you might have a fear of public speaking, not as many folks fear conversations.”

The key is to keep the prompts on-topic, as well as to avoid putting people on the spot with uncomfortable questions.

4. Explore your options

“Zoom presentations aren’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It really depends on your audience and your objectives,” says Pophal.

“For instance, when teaching classes, I generally have my camera on for most of the course. When doing webinars, though, I usually use my [slides] and share the screen and keep my video off except at the beginning and end of the session. Probably the most important thing to remember is that you do have options!”

When you feel nervous about an upcoming Zoom meeting, it can be so easy to try to emulate others, which ends up making you feel inauthentic and even less confident. Trust your gut and choose a format that feels good to you.

5. Plan your strategy

“So many people just try to ‘get through’ a presentation. We focus on realistic tips that will help the presenter feel empowered to focus on how and what they’re presenting vs. all the other millions of things,” says communications expert Jenna Cooper of Speak You.

While the idea of dotting your Is and crossing your Ts might not be the first thing that you associate with enjoyment, preparing adequately will allow you to relieve some of the pressure that’s making you dread speaking in the first place.

Cooper recommends doing things like practicing beforehand on camera, standing instead of sitting and getting used to looking at your camera instead of screen to prep. You’ll also want to plan the content of your presentation by putting yourself in your audience’s shoes.

“Remember, it’s not about you. It’s about your audience. We always say, think of it as a conversation–not a performance. Put on your teacher hat and really think: ‘What does my audience need to know? How can I best communicate that in a way they’ll understand?’ she says.

6. Remember the audience is your friend

On that note, it’s also so important to remember that the audience has your back and wants you to win — and that people empathize with being nervous so it’s also OK if your nerves show.

“Fear of public speaking is more about fear of rejection of ourselves and our ideas than the actual act of speech. Realize that most audiences are looking to like the speaker. They also understand the feeling you are experiencing,” says Melissa McGavick, President, Chief Education Officer and Professional Speaker at McGavick Interactive Training and member of the board of directors for Toastmasters International.

7. Break up your presentation into chunks

Who says you have to speak non-stop for a full hour? That can be exhausting instead of enjoyable, and it’s not always the most engaging format either. “Once you get into longer ranges of doing the same thing, audiences tend to tune out unless you’re a phenomenal speaker,” says Gimpel.

He suggests breaking up your presentation into five to ten-minute segments and including pauses for discussion breaks: “It could be taking questions earlier in a presentation or putting people in small groups to discuss an idea. The more time people spend doing things on their own, the less time that you have to be a great speaker yourself.”

8. Dress up even if they can’t see your full outfit

Tempted to wear PJ bottoms and a dressy top? Don’t — it might affect your energy and confidence.

“Being too comfortable, like only dressing professionally from the waist up and in pajama bottoms below the screen, can sabotage your professional feeling about yourself. That translates into your presentation,” says McGavick.

“Dress for the presentation as you would if it were held in your office or at a speaking venue. That little bit of effort can build your confidence.”