Let’s be real—virtual presentations don’t always get the respect they deserve. Too many people treat them like a casual Zoom chat with their second cousin rather than a leadership opportunity. But if you want to command the (virtual) room and show that you’re the leader everyone should be listening to, you need to take your online presentations seriously. Because if you don’t, your audience definitely won’t.
Prove You’re A Leader Every Time You Click “Join Meeting”
Adopt a new mindset about the importance of virtual presentations and meeting, then, take these ten actions:
1. Get the Basics Right—You’re a Leader, Not a Floating Head in the Abyss
Before you even say a word, your presence on screen says something about you. Are you centered in the frame? Can we actually see your face, or do you look like you’re a member of the witness protection program? Here’s the leadership look you strive for:
- Use the rule of thirds to center yourself in the screen (don’t be an awkward bottom-corner lurker).
- Look at the camera, not the screen.
- Have the light facing you because “mysterious silhouette” does not say poised leader.
- Choose an appropriate background that’s interesting, but not too busy. When using a virtual background, have a green screen unless you enjoy morphing into the Golden Gate Bridge while sharing a brilliant insight.
2. Start with a Bang—Not a “Can Everyone Hear Me?”
The first 10 seconds set the tone. If you start with a weak, “Hi, um, can you all hear me?” you’ve already lost half the audience to their inbox. Instead, kick things off with something that makes people sit up and pay attention. Consider:
- A bold statement: “Most virtual presentations are boring—this one won’t be.”
- A thought-provoking question: “What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in a virtual meeting?”
- A shocking statistic: “Did you know 73% of virtual meeting attendees are multitasking right now? Let’s make sure that’s not you.”
Identify the intriguing statements, questions, or stats that connect with the content of your presentation and use that as a kick-off.
3. Acknowledge People—There’s a Humanity Deficit at Work
The beauty of in-person meetings is the eye contact, the nods, the “I see you” moments. Online, it’s easier for people to feel invisible. Leaders don’t let that happen. A quick shoutout does wonders: “Hey, Sarah, good to see you! Thanks for joining, Carlos. Oh, and welcome to our new folks—excited to have you here!”
Suddenly, people are more engaged because they know they’re seen. And as people share, continue to acknowledge them and reinforce their contributions.
4. Use Empathy—An Authentic Leader Connects Deeply
Some people love the virtual spotlight. Others would rather fake a Wi-Fi outage than unmute. A good leader doesn’t just let the loudest voices dominate, they create space for everyone. If someone has been silent, invite them in: “Hey, Raj, I’d love to hear your take on this. They might still pass, but at least they know their presence matters.
5. Stay Engaged the Entire Meeting (No Checking Your Own Email!)
Multitasking is the biggest challenge to effective virtual meetings and presentations. If you’re distracted, your audience will be too. And yes, they can tell when you’re checking your email. Leadership means being fully present—nodding, reacting, engaging, and keeping the energy up. You wouldn’t scroll through your phone on stage, don’t do it in a virtual meeting.
6. Make It Triply Interactive—A Leader Knows How to Build Community
Leaders don’t just talk at people; they involve them. Aim for triple interaction:
- Polls, Word Clouds, and Chat Engagement – Ask quick questions and get responses in the chat or through polling software.
- Verbal Check-Ins – “Maria, what’s your perspective on this?”
- Group Breakouts – Small-group discussions keep people from zoning out.
Make your audience part of the conversation. This makes it much harder for them to multitask, and they’ll remember you and your message.
7. Make Your Slides Virtual-Ready—Death by PowerPoint Is Not the Approach of a Skilled Leader
A slide deck from your last in-person conference won’t cut it. Virtual slides need to be designed for the small, or sometimes, very small screen:
- Minimal text (nobody wants to squint through paragraphs).
- Banish bullets. They’re not only boring, they scream “this is going to be deadly.”
- Rich visuals (images, GIFs, and video clips work wonders). The human brain processes rich media significantly faster than text.
- Movement (animations—not the cheesy ones, but smooth transitions to keep eyes engaged). Too much sameness and your audience tunes out.
8. Start on Time, End Early—Respect the People’s Time and Well-being
Your audience is probably hopping from meeting to meeting. If you start late, they’re already annoyed. If you end late, they’re stressed about their next meeting. Show leadership by:
- Starting on time (even if half the people are still “connecting to audio”). If you schedule your meetings to begin at 5 or ten past the hour, even better. You’re giving people a breather from their previous meeting.
- Ending early (yes, early!). Do the same at the end of the meeting. Give people a break to stretch or breathe before their next call, and they’ll love you forever.
9. Have a Signature Closing—A Leader Understands the Importance of Punctuation
Nothing says forgettable like a meeting that just ends. Leaders leave a lasting impression. Consider:
- A quick, fun summary: “Three things to remember from today…”
- A call to action: “Before you go, drop one recommended action in the chat.”
- A memorable sign-off: “Thanks for being part of this—now go crush your next meeting!”
10. Own Tech Failures Like a Pro—A True Leader Shows Vulnerability
Even leaders have tech hiccups. The difference? They handle them smoothly.
- If you freeze mid-sentence: “Well, that was dramatic! Okay, back to what I was saying…”
- If slides won’t share: “Looks like my slides are playing hard to get. Give me one sec.”
- If someone’s mic is a disaster: “Hey Alex, I think your mic is channeling a wind tunnel—maybe try reconnecting?”
Humor and composure turn a tech fail into a leadership moment.
Prove You’re a Leader By Delivering A Compelling And Differentiated Virtual Meeting Or Presentation
Every time you show up on screen, you’re shaping how people see you. Are you a confident, engaging, and respectful leader? Or are you the person who fumbles with their mute button while their cat walks across the keyboard. Take virtual presentations seriously, show up with presence, and lead the way. Because in today’s world, virtual leadership is leadership.
William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him as he discusses strategies for delivering powerful virtual presentations alongside in Maven’s complimentary Lightning Lesson on February 25th.