How would you handle technical glitches that disrupt the flow of your virtual presentation?

To handle technical glitches during a virtual presentation, staying prepared is key. For example, before your presentation, test all equipment and software, and have a backup plan ready. If a glitch occurs, calmly switch to your backup plan, such as a pre-prepared recorded segment or alternate software. Communicate with your audience, apologizing for the inconvenience and explaining the situation briefly. For instance, if your video feed fails, you might switch to audio-only while continuing to present the key points. This approach keeps the presentation on track and maintains your professionalism.

Handling technical glitches during a virtual presentation requires preparation and composure. Always have a backup plan, like alternate devices, platforms, and ways to share your content. Acknowledge the issue to keep your audience informed. Troubleshoot quickly; If the problem persists, switch to your backup options seamlessly. Engage your audience by discussing key points verbally or sharing slides via email. Preparation also includes practicing troubleshooting scenarios beforehand. Maintain a positive and composed demeanor to reassure your audience. Follow up with additional resources or a recording to ensure your message remains effective despite disruptions. Being well-prepared is crucial for navigating technical challenges smoothly.

All professional and experienced speakers know that they should be prepared for technical glitches. Always remain calm and keep the flow. If your presentation is on a laptop and screen and there is a glitch with the screen, you should have your notes somewhere on the side and be able to keep talking without interruption. You can make a little joke about it and keep going. Tell stories, know your topic really well so that if you didn't have any notes or slides you can still keep going. When I have a longer keynote or seminar to deliver, I always request a flipchart. Its engaging and you can always have it as a backup to write things on if the connection between the laptop and the screen fails.

Your smile should be on a hair trigger, and you should be prepared to deliver the low-tech version of whatever the technology was going to help you do. The odds are high that they've all experienced this kind of glitch, and if you can continue discussing the concept, or summarize the data and give some specific selections, possibly from memory, possibly from a paper copy which I highly recommend you have available, then you can strengthen your credibility. A whole lot of research into the halo effect demonstrates that a presenter who can rise to the challenge of keeping a presentation on track is likely to be perceived by the audience as an expert on the subject, not just a good speaker. Hold it together and you'll come out shining.

Composure and how you respond to glitches is the true test of preparedness and character. Often companies can heavily rely on presentations to be the WOW factor, but often the best presentations are those where the PowerPoint is only aiding the presenter and not the other way around. Remaining composed, solutions oriented, and agile will often leave a largely positive impact.

Remember why you are actually on stage: to deliver and communicate your story, experiences, and knowledge. People want to listen to you, and you can do that with or without a presentation. Use some humor and don't worry about spending more than a few minutes resolving any difficulties. You can always send the slides afterward.