Covid-19 brought an abrupt ending to life as we once knew it. Practically every person in any industry you can think of was affected by this pandemic. Millions lost their jobs and still haven’t been able to recover. Even worse, hundreds of thousands lost their lives. Some of us have been blessed to still be here. Some of us have remain employed and in business throughout it all. People in the speaking industry encountered a hard stop. There were speakers starting out that were beginning to catch steam and then there were seasoned speakers who were used to being constantly booked for decades now. All of sudden, all in-person events were canceled and many have been faced with a tough task. How can I keep my business going and have the same impact virtually? Many people thought that this pandemic would only last a few months and things we be back to normal soon. But they were wrong. Some events have rescheduled to 2021 and some are simply TBD. Needless to say, virtual speaking is here to stay. Even when we do begin our new normal, it’s best that you become a hybrid speaker.

Over the past year, many of my clients were initially hesitant about presenting virtually and rightfully so. It was the fear of the unknown that usually set in rather quickly. Presenting virtually can differ drastically from presenting in-person, especially from an emotional aspect. While it’s easier to connect in person, now you are looking at a screen that could have 100’s of participants. The engagement level naturally takes a hit, because there are more distractions in each person’s environment (yours included). You’ll find people multitasking. Some won’t even bother to turn their cameras on. If you want to stay afloat and relevant, you have to become accustomed to the virtual way despite its challenges. Whenever we do get back to a new normal, we’ll forever be stuck in this hybrid format. There will be a need for in-person speakers and an equally, if not stronger need for virtual speakers. Virtual presenting will always be an option, because just like it poses a set of challenges for speakers, it also makes some things easier for event planners. 

The previous method in which talent was once booked took a 360 turn. When it comes to booking speakers, event planners have to be on point. That means hiring one speaker who drops the ball can cost them their jobs and their reputation. Currently, many of them aren’t looking for the perfect speaker because most understand the limitations that speakers are under. Still, they are looking for someone that they can have total confidence in with getting the job done. They’re looking for someone who knows how to navigate the virtual environment. That means being professional, courteous and timely. That means still being responsive. That means knowing how to keep your audience’s attention and provide them with a comparable experience to what you would normally do in person. You have to understand that event organizers are dealing with a level of uncertainty when it comes to booking speakers virtually, so the more you can reassure them that you won’t let them down, the better your chances are of getting booked. And quite honestly, there is more money to spend on speakers because they no longer have to pay for your hotel, the food or a physical event place. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve hit the jackpot, but if you play your cards right, you will give yourself more room to negotiate your desired fee. 

So virtual speaking is here to stay, which means you’ll need to have virtual demo videos. The same way you would have your 2 minute speaking real, you need one showing how you operate virtually. Some speakers use a simple set up of a tripod, their phone and a background while others invest into their virtual environment. In your demo video you are showing the best of yourself, so you may want to invest the money where needed. If you’re looking to present at a conference in the near future, you can’t solely rely on your current demo videos that you’ve used for years. Many won’t apply to the type of environment you’re looking to present in. On another positive note, as a virtual presenter, you have the opportunity to speak to a wider audience. Whereas in person, you are subject to the people in the room. Now, in real time, your message can be spread across the world. That means you have to be on point. Don’t automatically assume that just because you are good in-person speaker that you’ll be a good virtual speaker. There is an adjustment period and it’s more challenging to stay connected with your audience. If you make a conscious effort, you’ll become adjusted in no time.

Make your next presentation, your best presentation!

Sincerely,

Julian A. Leonard
(Founder of The JLeonard Group LLC)

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