10 Fixes for Awkward Virtual Presentations
Read Time – 3 minutes
Let’s face it, virtual presentations are here to stay. But while your data might be brilliant, none of it will land if your delivery looks like you're dialing in from a basement at midnight.
The truth is, many professionals spend hours perfecting their slides but overlook the one thing that makes people want to listen: you.
Your presence, setup, and delivery matter. Here's how to nail all three in your next virtual presentation.
The Problem: Virtual Presentation Fatigue Is Real
We’ve all sat through dull Zoom calls or Teams meetings where the speaker's voice echoes, lighting is dim, and the camera looks up their nose.
When your virtual setup is distracting, or just underwhelming, it steals attention from your message. And if your energy doesn’t carry through the screen? People check out fast.
But here’s the good news: you can fix this with a simple 10-point checklist.
The Fix: Use the Virtual Presentation Checklist
Before your next online talk, go through this quick checklist to look and sound like a pro:
Virtual Presentation Checklist
-
Good Lighting – Natural light or a ring light makes you look alive, not ghostly.
-
Professional Background – Remove clutter, keep it neutral and distraction-free.
-
Quiet Space – No barking dogs or hallway echoes, find silence or use noise cancellation.
-
Balanced Video – Frame your face, avoid low angles, and center yourself in the shot.
-
Clear Audio – Use a quality mic or headphones to sound sharp.
-
Silenced Notifications – Turn off Messaging, Email, phone noises.
-
Avoid Reading – Know your content. Don’t read slides word-for-word.
-
Look at the Camera – Eye contact matters, even on Zoom.
-
Bring Passion – Your energy needs to do twice the work virtually.
-
Do Run-Throughs – Record yourself. Watch. Adjust. Improve.
Practice Like a Pro
Want to know how you really come across? Record yourself delivering the first two minutes of your presentation. Then play it back and ask:
-
Is my lighting and sound clear?
-
Do I look confident and present?
-
Am I connecting or just reading?
Don’t wing it. Practice it. Even five minutes of prep can upgrade your presence.
Stop Losing Attention.
Virtual presentations are harder than they look. At Data Story Academy, we help professionals show up like pros, with better lighting, stronger stories, and clearer delivery that keeps people engaged from start to finish.
-
Look and sound confident on camera.
-
Present insights that land with impact.
-
Avoid the mistakes that kill attention.
Ready to level up your virtual presence?
Let’s make your data impossible to ignore. See you next Tuesday!
