Biggest Mistakes made during an Online Presentation or Webinar

David Staughton CSP CEO B.Sc(Hons)

How to avoid making Mistakes in your Online presentations, Webinars and Zoom Meetings

By David Staughton CSP – Presenter & Small Business Consultant

Having attended and presented LOTS of webinars, virtual meetings and presentations, here is a list of some of the biggest mistakes to avoid as the entire training, presenting and speaking industry goes virtual due to the Corona Virus.

Our biggest issue now is whether the telco systems can cope – Remember to SAVE the Bandwidth – No need to have all your attendees watch you in video mode if they don’t all need it.

Here is a video of an attendee taking the entire online meeting audience to the bathroom with her – with embarassing results – Don’t do that!

Online Presentation Mistakes with Presentation Setup & Technical Issues

  • Production value of the online presentation is poor
  • Camera not at eye level (Too many chins)
  • Not looking into the camera – to the eyes of the attendees
  • Headsets with extra noise and feedback to others
  • A green screen with distracting background
  • Using Distracting Background settings
  • Not knowing how to use the technology
  • Not knowing how to show video
  • Bad Audio – poor quality Microphone or feedback
  • Forgetting to get audience to MUTE mike (set for mute on arrival)
  • Not clearing cache before your start – Zoom Program freezes
  • TIP: Set all attendees to MUTE on Arrival

Online Presentation Content & Presentation Design Issues

  • Lack of overall preparation or practice (amateurish)
  • Waiting to start – “we’re going to wait for others to join” – FB live or webinars
  • Too much Chit chat at beginning
  • Too much egotistical self intro (20 mins)
  • No clear direction of what is happening
  • No agenda has been set or followed
  • Too much content being presented – allow for more interaction and discussion
  • Boring – An Audience like Variety – Stories, Pictures, Metaphors, Mantras etc
  • Too many random points being made – poor structure
  • No Housekeeping done – How to interact hand up, How to chat room, How to fix any problems (e.g. freeze – refresh browser)
  • Too long – keep it short

 Online Presenter Mistakes in an Online Presentation

  • Sour or squinty expression of the presenter – NOT Friendly or Smiley
  • Looking at the SCREEN not the camera LENS
  • There is no need to welcome every single person by name – Don’t greet everyone individually
  • Presenter looks Too nervous
  • Lack of energy or enthusiasm – Sitting not standing
  • Presenter is not authentic – being a Forced Personality
  • Overly confident (Smug)
  • Too scripted (not authentic and genuine)
  • Speaking too quickly – Needs to be slower online to comprehend
  • Talking too much as the host – others want to hear your guest
  • Need to make it like a good TV Show

FURTHER READING

Any other Suggestions? – Contact me!