Early this year, the Australian Society of Authors very generously offered a four week free course about speaking online. It was organised by Jodie Spiteri-James, Professional Development and Events Manager, and was offered for FREE to all their members.

I was lucky enough to be part of the course and offered two of the free sessions about how to create professional online talks. I wanted to share with you tips and advice on what I’ve been doing from my attic, which I’ve dubbed Studio 6 (6 is my nickname) and I’ve been presenting online talks and creating videos since the virus really hit in March, 2020.

As we move into even more uncertainty this year, especially when it comes to being able to speak in schools and public places, it’s not a bad idea to perfect your online presentation skills. So please find below some tips and advice I’ve drawn up. You may already be doing much of this but there may be some things that might come in handy.

Deb chats on Lunchtime Storytime for the CBCA NSW Branch

As well as school visits, you may be invited to deliver talks online or on Facebook Live or on many of the other online platforms like Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Streamyard….there are a lot. Many of them operate on the same principles, which is great, because when you’ve learned one, the others aren’t so difficult.

The CBCA NSW Branch held the Lunchtime Storytime sessions, organised by uber brilliant Victoria Mackinlay and illustrated by wonderful delightful Gemma Patience.

I’m not an expert on Facebook at all and had never gone live, but Victoria’s clear instructions made it easy. You can have a look here.

I was also lucky enough to be invited onto Adrian Beck’s Author Hangout. If you’d like to have a sneak peek, click above.

Online presentations are not the same as being with our audience but we can make them just as interesting. Plus, they have the advantage of reaching a far wider audience than an in-person event. There have been book launches, readings, the CBCA Lunchtime Storytime, talks and workshops.

· Generally, you want your presentation to look warm, inviting and professional and here are some tips on how to achieve that.

· THE INTERNET: The less you ask of your Internet the better. With the exception of the device you’re using, turn off everything in the house that uses the Internet, including a smart TV. They can randomly log on to the Internet to update software. If your Internet is unreliable, consider using your phone data if you are able to hotspot. You can also use an Ethernet cable plugged directly from your router to your computer. I personally avoid virtual backgrounds as they can be distracting if they don’t work very well and they also put extra strain on your computer’s processor. Also, ask your audience to turn off their mics or even their video if that helps.

· LIGHTING: is super important. This is my lighting set up above. You want an even coverage so your audience can see you clearly. You can use natural daylight, but I avoid it because it can be too bright, cloud cover can change the light or cast shadows as the sun moves. If you are using natural window light, you can soften it with a light curtain.

· Turn off any bright lights behind or above you and avoid sitting with a window behind you.

· A softlight or softbox is a bare bulb with a covering to soften the light. There are professional softboxes that aren’t too expensive, but you can also use a sheet of paper, cardboard or material or maybe even a shower curtain. Light from a softbox will soften the shadows on your face and allow the light to fall more evenly over your features.

· Another way to soften light on your face is to bounce light from another source eg pointing a light onto a wall or sheet that then reflects back onto your skin.

· Author Tim Harris used 'strip lights' around the back edges of a shelf at the back of his studio. These gently light the back of his image with a soft glow, creating a nice differentiation between him and the rest of the shot. Strip lights can be bought cheaply on a roll and cut to length.

· Ring lights. Many people have been using ring lights of various sizes to create an even soft light on the skin.

· CAMERA POSITION: Look directly into camera. Place your computer on some books or a box to meet your eye-line.

· Centre yourself in the frame. Allow a little but not too much headroom. Don’t sit too far back as this will create a sense of distance between you and your audience, but be mindful not to sit too close to crowd your frame.

· DRESS YOUR BACKGROUND TO MATCH YOUR TALK: Be mindful to create the atmosphere you want from your talk from the very first frame. For young audiences, you might like to dress in a onesie or character costume and include colour, props and movement. You may like to use the virtual background from Zoom to incorporate a cover or internal image of your book. A word of warning, the virtual background can be good if you’re not going to move too much.

· DECLUTTER YOUR BACKGROUND: Eyes will wander to what is in the back of your shot. Be deliberate with what you have on display and remove anything that might be distracting or embarrassing. If you have particular items you want to show off, highlight them. Put your latest, or favourite book face out on a shelf or table, or use posters, plushies, prints, props. Be careful about glare on glossy book covers and glass picture frames. If you don’t like your BG, hang a plain sheet as a backdrop. Avoid anything moving, like a fan.

· SOUND: is so important. Your brilliant presentation can be ruined with substandard sound. Microphones can be inexpensive and help direct your sound, cutting out any background noise. Some headsets with mics pick up everything including your breath, and plosives, which can be annoying, so be careful not to have the mic too close to your mouth. An inbuilt computer mic needs you to be reasonably close to the device, which may not suit your presentation, especially if you move around. There are USB lapel mics and desk mics.

· HEADPHONES AND AIRPODS: can help reduce feedback and echo. They also allow you be hands-free during the meeting and will help eliminate distracting background. Note that AirPods will lose charge after about an hour.

· DO TESTS: Check if your presentation is better with or without headphones and you feel comfortable.

· REDUCE EXTRANEOUS SOUND: close windows and doors. Make use of soft furnishings, cushions, lounge, curtains, carpets, rugs to absorb extra noise. Avoid bin day, street-cleaning day or ask your neighbours to be quiet if they’re renovating.

· TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS ON YOUR LAPTOP AND PHONE:
Before you record, present or go live, turn off notifications on your laptop and set your phone to aeroplane mode (unless you’re using your phone’s hotspot). You don’t want any “pings” to interrupt your presentation!

· EXPLORE THE PLATFORM: Watch instructional videos but also watch other people in action.

General Tips for Presenting from TV and production director, Todd Decker, (Tech Guy Todd) Q&A director, who has worked with many presenters over the last 25 years.

Your main aim is to connect with your audience. Here are some ways to work towards that.

· Hold up your book/prop for at least 8 seconds. It will feel long but so many people remove the item before the audience has had a good look.

· Don’t move around too much, it can be distracting.

· Don’t be afraid to rest on an image.

· Try to avoid rushing or speaking quickly. Allow for pauses, they can be powerful. You don’t have to fill the air every second. Use those pauses to keep your nerves under control.

· Don’t press ‘Go Live’ or start your presentation until you are ready. It is better to be late than have a schmozzle.

· Do a technical test at least 30 minutes before.

· Tap the microphone to make sure it’s working and the sound isn't from the computer mic.

· Don’t hold things in front of mic to muffle the sound and be careful not to touch it whilst you’re presenting.

· Move your body or face towards the camera for emphasis when it feels right.

· Use your voice. It can be a powerful instrument.

· Remember you’re the expert of your topic, take confidence in that.

· Take a deep breath and enjoy yourself.

· Technical and practical tips

a) Make your presentation interesting - content, opening, visuals, activities (next week I’m going to delve into this in great detail).

b) Have a lesson plan and notes - Have them handy but try not to read from them – looking down to read from paper on your desk breaks the connection between you and the viewer.

c) Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

d) Record your presentation and watch it back. Check all the things we’ve spoken about.

e) The more prepared you are, the more you can be flexible if things change/go wrong/a question sends you in a different direction.

f) Practice beforehand and on the day.

g) Speak directly to the camera like you are speaking to your audience. Imagine your audience is in front of you. A smile goes a long way to making people feel welcomed.

h) Get comfortable – you’ll be there awhile. Decide if you’ll stand or sit or change positions during the talk and ensure you can do it without tripping over anything or tangling the mic or headset cables.

i) Have everything you need within reach that you may need. Eg: other books, an object that inspired a book, sketches, early drafts. Practice holding these objects up to the camera, some inbuilt webcams can be difficult to find.

j) Have Plan B ready. Eg: if share screen suddenly doesn’t work, have your books, drawings ready to hold up either for real or on a tablet.

k) Trust technology only as much as you have to and be flexible if things don’t work.

l) Choose clothes to suit your talk and you. Generally, solid colours will make you pop from your background and are easier on the eye than busy patterns.

Have fun!

Deborah Abela Author, teacher

Chasing Rainbows

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