7 Virtual Presentation Skills That Will Make You Look Like a Pro on Zoom
Public speaking makes most people nervous — and presenting virtually on platforms like Zoom doesn't make it any easier. In fact, virtual presentations come with their own unique set of challenges that many speakers never even consider. Whether you're leading a team meeting, delivering a client pitch, or speaking at a virtual conference, these seven tips will help you show up with confidence, clarity, and professionalism every single time.
1. Test Your Tech Before You Go Live
If you're giving a virtual presentation, the very first thing you should do is ensure your technology is working seamlessly. That means testing your microphone, your camera, your screen-sharing capabilities, and any interactive features you plan to use — polls, videos, breakout rooms, all of it.
It's easier to slip up here than you might think. You might have a great external microphone plugged in, only to discover after the meeting that your laptop defaulted to its built-in mic the entire time. Your audience missed out on quality audio, and you didn't even know.
Here's what you should run through before any presentation:
- Is your preferred microphone selected as the default audio input?
- Is your camera working and positioned correctly?
- Do you know exactly where to go to share your screen?
- If you're showing a video, do you know how to share the sound?
- Are you running a poll? Do you know how to launch it mid-presentation?
If you have access to the platform, set up a test meeting and practice. If you don't, ask the host to schedule a quick pre-call so you can walk through the logistics. It doesn't matter whether you're presenting in person or virtually — knowing the functionality inside and out is what makes you come across as a pro.
2. Get Your Lighting Right
Lighting is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors in virtual presentations. The simplest and cheapest way to improve your lighting is to position yourself facing an outside window so that natural daylight illuminates your face.
One of the most common mistakes people make is sitting with a window behind them. This creates a silhouette effect where your audience can barely see your face — which is the opposite of what you want when you're trying to connect with people.
If you want to take it a step further, consider investing in studio lights with softening accessories like umbrellas or softboxes. These diffuse the light so it doesn't create harsh shadows behind you. But honestly, a well-positioned window in front of you will do wonders on its own.
3. Ditch the AirPods
This one might surprise you. Many professionals default to AirPods on virtual calls, but if you're the one speaking or presenting, get rid of them. AirPods are terrible for audio quality when used as a microphone.
Don't just take my word for it. The next time you're on a virtual call where someone is speaking through AirPods, listen carefully. You'll hear the difference immediately.
In most cases, you're actually better off using a relatively new laptop's internal microphone than AirPods. But ideally, you want an external USB microphone. You don't need a professional podcast setup — something like a Blue Yeti works exceptionally well and is reasonably priced. The bottom line: if you're leading a meeting, audio quality matters enormously. Don't let AirPods undermine your presentation.
4. Make Eye Contact With the Camera
Eye contact is a fundamental element of effective public speaking, and virtual presentations are no exception. The difference is that instead of scanning a room and connecting with individuals, your eye contact happens in one place: the camera lens. When you look directly into it, you simultaneously make eye contact with your entire audience.
This sounds obvious, but here's where most speakers go wrong. On a typical Zoom call, the participants' faces appear on the screen below the camera. It's natural to want to look at those faces — but when you do, your audience sees you looking downward, almost as if you're staring at their forehead. That's not eye contact.
Make a conscious effort to periodically look up at the camera, especially when you're making important points. It creates a genuine sense of connection that looking at the screen simply cannot replicate.
5. Skip the Virtual and Blurred Backgrounds
Virtual and blurred backgrounds are incredibly popular in the corporate world, but I'd encourage you to reconsider using them. Research suggests that when your audience can't see what's behind you, it creates a subtle, subconscious layer of distrust. It may not be something anyone consciously thinks about, but why risk it?
Beyond the trust issue, virtual backgrounds are often clunky in practice. Move your hand too quickly and it disappears into the image. Hold up your phone to show someone something and it blends into the background like a green-screen glitch. It simply doesn't look polished.
Instead, try to set up a space with a clean, simple background. You don't need an elaborate bookshelf or designer decor — a tidy wall with a nice piece of art is more than enough. Just make sure it's not messy or distracting. A real, clean background will always serve you better than a virtual one.
6. Stand Up When You Present
Have you ever considered standing during a virtual presentation? It might sound like a small change, but the impact on your energy and presence can be remarkable.
When we stand, we naturally project more energy, breathe more fully, and communicate with greater dynamism than when we're slouched in a desk chair. Not everyone has a sit-stand desk, but you can get creative — stack some boxes and binders, prop your laptop on a high shelf, or find any arrangement that gets you on your feet.
Try standing for your meetings for a month and see if you notice a difference. Many people are surprised by how much it elevates the quality of their delivery and the overall energy of the conversation — especially when they're the one presenting.
7. Ask Specific Questions, Not Generic Ones
If you want interaction during your virtual presentation, stop lobbing generic questions into the void. "How's everyone doing?" is almost guaranteed to be met with silence — or the same eager participant who always speaks up while everyone else stays muted.
As the leader of the meeting, it's your job to drive the interaction. Ask specific people specific questions:
- "Greg, what do you think about the second point that was raised? Any questions or feedback?"
- "Sarah, what's one thing you took away from today's presentation?"
By calling on individuals and inviting their input directly, you accomplish two things. First, you eliminate the awkward dead air that follows a question aimed at nobody in particular. Second, you encourage more people to engage voluntarily because they see that participation is expected and valued.
Show Up With Confidence
Virtual presentations don't have to feel awkward or impersonal. By testing your technology, optimising your lighting and audio, making deliberate eye contact with the camera, using a real background, standing when you speak, and driving meaningful interaction, you'll transform the way your audience experiences you on screen. These aren't dramatic overhauls — they're thoughtful, intentional adjustments that signal professionalism and build trust. You have a story to tell and a message worth sharing. Now you have the tools to deliver it as effectively as possible.