Content

Increase engagement by keeping it simple: One idea per slide. It’s better to have more slides with fewer bullet points rather than have fewer slides with dense bullets.
If you need to use bullets, try to:
- Be concise.
- Make them short.
- Use graphics or icons
- No more than 3 bullets.

Tech Requirements

Camera angles are important! Make sure that the camera lens sits at or above eye level.
Stack books or a box under your laptop to raise your webcam to eye‐level.
Try not to sit too close to the camera. Position the webcam far enough to capture your shoulders
with your entire face and some headroom to spare.
Don’t cut off your forehead.

Make sure your lighting is coming from in front of you, ideally behind the webcam.
Cheap ring lights that attach to desks are the best option. The bigger the ring, the softer the light, the better looking.
Do your best to avoid a light source from behind you as it washes you out.

Try to keep your background well‐designed. While it can be clear or empty, it's an opportunity to showcase your character. More than ever, people crave authenticity.
Clear your background of clutter like paper.
Include objects and art.

DO wear solid colors, but avoid solid black or white as it’s hard for the camera to properly expose your face.
DO NOT wear stripes. Causes a moiré pattern or distracting “ringing”.
Be mindful of distracting jewelry (anything that can make noise during your presentation); glasses often reflect the lighting in the room.

Eye contact is EVERYTHING. When speaking, make sure to look directly at the camera. It’s perfectly fine to peek at your presentation materials and others from time to time but remember the focus is the webcam.
Pick a point near the camera to talk to – if it helps put a piece of tape as a visual reference.
If you are using notes, outlines, or timers, position them around the camera so you keep eye contact vs. looking distracted.
Smile! People love the enthusiasm.
Communicate with your hands and facial expressions.
Some people will only hear the audio. Talk clearly, explain visuals on your deck.
Provide a few seconds warning before playing a video or sound effect. It may play at a different level than your voice and could be an unpleasant surprise.

Isolate yourself from other people, close the door if possible, and tell others around you that you are presenting and not to disturb you.
If you are unable to use a hard line, ask everyone around you to turn off the Wi‐Fi on their devices.
Restart your computer an hour or so before it’s time to present.
Close all programs that are not related to your presentation.

Do a practice run, record yourself, and play it back.
Make sure that the look and sound quality is what you want.
While you may be comfortable speaking in person this would be a good practice to see how comfortable you are with no one around you.