When I was a student, I went to piano lessons more or less regularly. There were always times when I foolishly practiced only during the piano lesson. This was frustrating for the clarinet teacher and for me. That’s probably why Mrs. Bürkli never asked me to play at a concert. After 8 years I stopped playing the piano. It was only much later that I realized how important practicing and rehearsing are. So that you don’t feel the same as me, here are the most important tips on rehearsal for online presentations.

How to use rehearsal for online presentation.

Some basic rules for using rehearsal for your online presentation:

a. Use rehearsal to prepare your presentation, not to memorize it.

b. Pay attention to body language and gestures when using rehearsal. These can be as important as the content of your presentation.

c. Use rehearsal to make your presentation look as natural as possible.

d. Practice your presentation as many times as necessary until you feel confident with the content and presentation.

Why it’s so important to practice your presentation.

If you’re preparing an online presentation, it’s important to set aside time for a dress rehearsal. Through the dress rehearsal you can make sure that your presentation runs smoothly and professionally and that all technical problems are solved (!). It’s also an opportunity to get feedback from others and make sure your message is getting across.

How to make the most of your presentation.

If you want to convince yourself that you will give a good presentation, there are a few things you can do. First, be clear about your strengths and incorporate them into your presentation. Be creative and think outside the box to engage your audience. Also pay attention to your body and try to look confident. Be aware that it’s okay to be nervous – you can even use that nervousness as motivation.

How to solve problems during the presentation.

Even if you do everything right and prepare well, something can go wrong. When technical problems occur, stay calm and try to solve them as soon as possible. If you get tangled up or forget something, take a deep breath and try to keep going. Remember that no one is perfect – so don’t worry if something goes wrong. The most important thing is that you don’t let your mistakes distract you and continue to give a good presentation.

Tips and tricks for a great online presentation

Now that you know what goes into a good online presentation, here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind. Align yourself in front of the camera so that your eyes are one third below the top edge – according to the 2/3 rule from photography. Not only will this make you look more professional, but it will also help the audience see you and your gestures. Make sure the camera is at eye level. If it is too deep, it leads to nostril perspective. If it is too high, you make yourself unnecessarily small.

Make sure you have enough light. If it’s too dark, you’ll look blurry and grainy on the screen. If it’s too bright, you’ll be outshined and the audience can barely see you. So make sure you present in a well-lit room. Pay attention to your body language. If you’re nervous, it may be reflected in your body language. So try to stay calm and don’t tense up. Pay attention to your gestures and facial expressions and try to look natural. Avoid twisting back and forth on the chair – it’s only distracting. And remember: the audience can see everything, so don’t try to hide anything from them!

For more tips and tricks on online presentations and online meetings, you should order the book “Online Meetings” by Thorsten Jekel and me.

If I can support you for a speech or presentation, please let me know (+41 41 630 39 90).

If you would like to have tips and tricks regularly by e-mail (in German), then sign up to the Trainingletter – but it’s confidential:-).