It was 2:30 p.m. on Monday, 16 Mar 2020. My boss visited my colleagues and me and told us to go home. I asked her whether I could stay until 4:00 p.m. when I usually would have worked that day. She said no, we all needed to go home right then.

So, I started my odyssey with the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us were literally at home for three straight months and then one week in and one week out for many months.

It also started my odyssey with virtual speaking.

Early on, we speakers thought this was a “speed bump” to our in-person speaking. Little did we know virtual speaking was here.

Fortunately, a little company called Zoom had a virtual platform available to anyone. Zoom saw its sales exponentially rise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It wasn’t long before companies realized they could save thousands, even millions, on travel expenses by having their employees collaborate virtually.

Over time, virtual speaking left the fringe of public speaking and entered the public speaking mainstream.

During 2020 I talked to two speaker friends who, up until COVID-19, spoke exclusively in person. I asked them what they were going to do for business. They told me something startling – “I am going to wait until in-person speaking comes back.” Hopefully, they “changed their tune” before their businesses “went under.”

Well, in-person speaking has come back, but virtual speaking has also become a large part of speakers’ portfolios. Those speakers who do not embrace it do so at their peril.

Below I explain how virtual and in-person speaking are similar and different. Additionally, I outline the advantages of virtual speaking.

Where Virtual and In-Person Speaking Are Similar

Effective communication requires clarity in conveying your ideas, thoughts, and messages, whether virtual or in person. In both settings, you must articulate your points concisely and ensure your audience easily understands them.

A well-structured speech, appropriate language, and engaging delivery can help you maintain clarity in both scenarios.

Engaging your audience is a crucial aspect of any form of public speaking. Keeping your audience interested and involved is essential for a successful presentation, whether you’re speaking virtually or in person.

You can achieve this through interactive elements, storytelling, asking questions, and maintaining eye contact (in the case of virtual presentations, making eye contact by looking directly into the camera).

Your ability to persuade and leave a lasting impact on your audience is equally vital in virtual and in-person speaking. Captivating storytelling, compelling arguments, and well-supported evidence can influence your audience’s opinions and attitudes, regardless of the communication platform.

Now that you know what is the same about virtual and in-person speaking, let’s explore their differences.

Where Virtual and In-Person Speaking are Different

In-person speaking allows for a richer exchange of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language. These cues convey emotions, build rapport, and aid you in understanding your audience’s reactions.

In a virtual setting, many of these non-verbal cues might be limited or less apparent to you as screens and cameras separate you, the speaker, and your audience. As a virtual speaker, you must adapt your communication to compensate for this limitation and find alternative ways to engage the audience effectively.

In-person speaking often offers more opportunities for spontaneous interactions and audience engagement. As an in-person speaker, you can read the room, adjust your presentation based on your audience’s reactions, and encourage questions or discussions on the spot.

As a virtual speaker, your interaction with your audience may be more structured, with features like Q&A sessions, chat, or polls. Keeping your virtual audience engaged requires more intentional effort, such as incorporating interactive elements or encouraging virtual participation.

Virtual speaking introduces technical considerations and potential challenges that are not present during in-person presentations. Technical issues, such as Internet connectivity challenges, audio/video glitches, or platform-specific limitations, can disrupt the flow of a virtual presentation.

As a virtual speaker, you must be prepared to troubleshoot these issues or have a backup plan to ensure a smooth presentation. Additionally, presentation tools, screen sharing, and multimedia elements may require different skills and preparation in a virtual environment.

As a result of these differences, your mastery of virtual speaking often requires a unique skill set beyond traditional in-person speaking abilities. Being adept at using virtual communication tools, engaging audiences through your screen, and adapting to the medium’s limitations are essential for you to deliver powerful virtual presentations.

So, now you know the similarities and differences between virtual and in-person speaking. Let’s now take a look at the advantages of virtual speaking.

Advantages and Challenges of Virtual Speaking

Virtual speaking enables you to connect with a broader and more diverse audience. Geography is no longer a barrier, as people from different parts of the world can attend conferences and your virtual events without the need for travel.

This increased accessibility can give you a more significant impact and broader dissemination of ideas. Additionally, virtual events can accommodate more attendees than physical venues, making it possible for you to engage with a larger crowd.

Virtual speaking provides greater flexibility for both speakers and participants. Speakers can deliver presentations from the comfort of their homes or offices, eliminating the need for travel and associated expenses.

Similarly, attendees can join your virtual events from any location with an Internet connection, saving time and resources. The convenience of virtual speaking allows for more frequent engagements and participation in various events without the logistical challenges of physical travel.

Virtual speaking platforms offer you advanced visual aids and multimedia capabilities. You can use high-quality slides, videos, interactive elements, and virtual reality to enhance your presentations and engage your audience more effectively.

These multimedia features can significantly enrich the content and overall experience, making virtual presentations more dynamic and have a higher impact than traditional slide shows or physical demonstrations.

Despite these advantages, it’s essential to acknowledge virtual speaking also comes with its unique challenges.

Ensuring engagement with your audience, managing technical issues, and maintaining personal connections with your audience are some of the areas that may require your special attention in virtual settings. You will be a successful virtual speaker if you can leverage the advantages while adapting to the medium’s limitations.

We have explored the similarities and differences between virtual and in-person speaking and the advantages of virtual speaking.

Sure, most speakers would like to speak in person. If you have an opportunity to do so, do it. However, if you dismiss speaking virtually, you will miss many opportunities.

Embrace virtual speaking and watch your speaking opportunities soar!

Call to Action

• The foundation of good virtual speaking is good in-person speaking. Become a proficient in-person speaker before you attempt a virtual presentation.

• Become adept at troubleshooting technology challenges such as lost or slow Internet connectivity, audience members not proficient in using virtual platforms, and audio/video glitches.

• Use the technology tools available for virtual speaking, like audience polls, interactive video, and virtual reality.

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.

Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.

Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!

“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”

Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com