RSTMH Guidelines: General and Virtual Presentations

General Presentation Guidelines

Content and Style

To build a presentation split the work involved into two basic areas:

Content: What you say
Style: How you say it

When working on your presentation, establish a basic schedule:

Work out key messages
Establish the basic shape of your presentation
First draft completed
Rehearse aloud - check you're happy with the content
Final draft completed
Rehearse

Once you are happy with your content you can now begin to look at how your communicate your message... your style.

In terms of any presentation, the golden rule is you cannot rehearse enough.

Rehearsal

Now you are reciting your presentation out loud, are your core messages clear, understandable, interesting, and convincing? Have confidence in yourslef. Remember, you know more about what you're saying than anyone else they could get.

Never forget the integrity of your argument. You must have enthusiasm for your subject. You must be passionate about your subject.

Delivery

Wherever you rehearse your presentation, speak it aloud.

Pitch

Avoid a droning monotone. Genuine passion or enthusiasm will help your pitch. Play with your pitch in rehearsal.

Breathing

Remember to breathe. Practice breathing.

Visualisation

Live or feel what you're talking about.

What to wear

Think carefully about your clothing. Be comfortable in what you wear. If you have a pale background, wear something with colour and vice versa. Avoid highly patterned fabrics (distorts on camera) and all black or all white (camera accentuated contrast).

Makeup

If you like wearing makeup, go for it. Stick to everyday rather than night-time looks.

Glasses

If you wear glasses, check for reflection in the lenses and change position accordingly. Take extra steps with the angle of your shot if you wear progressive lenses or bifocals.

Body language

Smile when you first appear.

Stillness

Practice talking in a relaxed and still manner. On camera, if you're moving a lot it will be distracting for the viewer.

Pace

Be aware that on some internet transmissions there can be a slight delay. Building in pauses allows the audience breathing space and thinking time.

Beverages

You should have water to hand, use a glass and not a bottle.

Virtual Presentation Guidelines: Speaker Guidelines and Technical Set-Up

Speaker Guidelines

These simple guidelines are designed to help you achieve the best results, both technically and as a presenter when taking part in a virtual conference.

Framing your shot

The position of your camera and seating is very important. Take time to assess your options prior to rehearsal and try to establish a position so that you are correctly framed and centered in the image.

If filming on a laptop camera, you will have landscape framing format. If using a phone, landscape is also preferred. These best suit the screen for those watching.

We suggest using a USB Camera when possible as both video and audio quality will be noticeably better.

Angle

The positioning of your computer determines the alignment of your camera shot. Your computer will likely need raising so it is at the right level for your eye line.

Your camera should be positioned just above your head, pointing downwards to your eyes.

Where possible, use a USB camera; the quality will be better and you'll have greater flexibility over positioning.

Background

Personalised space should not be cluttered. A plain background is ideal - a single colour or white is best.

Lighting

A well-lit space, by either natural light or electricity, is important.

Your lighting should not come from only one side as this will create too much contrast for the camera shot.

You could use a tall lamp and set it next to the computer on the side of your face you feel is best. The lamp should be in line with, and slightly behind, the computer so that the light falls nicely on your face.

Do not sit in front of a window or an obvious light source (especially the sun) as you will be silhouetted.

Sound

Test your microphone well in advance to ensure you have a clear line. Ensure that your location does not pick up external noise - actively seek the quietest area or room that offers a degree of sound proofing.

Where possible, use a USB camera with a microphone as the sound quality will be markedly better.

Turn phones off as on silent mode they may interfere with your laptop signal.

Change audio settings on your computer so that sound notifications do not occur during the event.

If your audio fails, dial in with the phone number found in your Zoom invite.

If your internet fails, enable mobile hotspot on your phone and use data rather than Wi-Fi.

Technical Set Up

Internet check

Go to www.speedtest.net. Zoom advises 2.5Mbps (up/down) for receiving 1080p HD video and 3.0Mbps (up/down).

Zoom account

Set up a Zoom account and download the app, your connection will be much more stable from the app. If you plan to display an image or video as your background, it will work best with a solid colour and uniform lighting to allow Zoom to detect the difference between you and your background.

Resolution

Make sure 'Enable HD Video' is selected in your Zoom video preferences. There is also an option to enhance your appearance on Zoom - your decision!

Getting more from your Wi-Fi

One thing that might help your Wi-Fi if the connection is a bit unstable is to turn off any other app that might be using Wi-Fi in the background on your laptop or desktop. Turn off email, Dropbox, Skype, Teams, etc.

As well as closing the apps, check in background apps. Turn off all you do not need.

If possible, ask others in the house to come off Wi-Fi to improve your bandwidth for the time of your recording or session.