Virtual vs. Traditional: How COVID-19 Has Transformed Public Speaking

Over the past year and a half, the public speaking landscape has undergone a massive transformation. Prior to the pandemic, public speaking events were largely traditional in nature. The presenter and audience would gather in an indoor or outdoor location and build their network during the latter half of the event. Face-to-face socialization was a critical element of traditional public speaking.

However, the pandemic has created a “new normal.” Today, the vast majority of public speaking events are held online. As COVID-19 cases continue to decline, traditional meetings are gradually resuming across the country. However, the popularity of virtual public speaking hasn’t abated in the least. In fact, virtual presentations are expected to continue long after the pandemic is behind us.

In this blog, we’ll provide a closer look at what brought about this transformation, and why virtual presentations won’t disappear anytime soon.

Safety

We’ve made progress in the fight against COVID-19, but we still have a long way to go. It may take several months for the large majority of the population to get vaccinated. Until then, many people are still at risk of contracting COVID-19.

To err on the side of caution, companies are continuing to sponsor virtual public speaking events. By conducting these events online, the risk of spreading COVID-19 is eliminated.

Moreover, virtual presentations are often just as effective as traditional presentations. Provided that the speaker and the audience have a stable Wi-Fi connection, virtual public speaking events can be both successful and impactful.

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Audiovisual Elements

Virtual presentations stand out for their versatility. Speakers can use engaging, enriching, and value-added audiovisual elements to deliver a powerful presentation. They can also use software features to make their presentation more interactive.

Even if speakers don’t use any video segments or audio clips, they can still facilitate a successful event by focusing on excellent content, the right body language, and appropriate references.

People often think traditional and virtual public speaking events are completely different. In some ways, they’re quite similar. Assiduous preparation and strategic narrative building can help a presenter engage their audience just as effectively no matter where or how they’re presenting.

Convenience

Compared to traditional public speaking events, virtual alternatives are considered more convenient. Companies can save a lot of time, energy, and money—and make it easier for their employees and business partners to attend.

Despite a smaller budget, companies can still hold virtual public speaking events that make a big impact. The key is to convey important information and share strategies that will improve their bottom line.

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Whether you’re opting for a traditional or virtual event, I can equip you with the insights you need to succeed.

As an experienced public speaking coach, I specialize in helping people deliver effective, persuasive, and impactful keynote speeches, conference presentations, TED-style events, and sales pitches. If you’re in the middle of planning your company’s next public speaking event, feel free to contact me.