Acing the Social Media ‘Live’ Setting – How to Shine Online?

We have shared about what it takes to make your online presence shine – especially with the new ‘normal’ of online presentations. The shift to the virtual stage brings with it a wider room of creativity, from recorded videos, Zoom sessions, podcasts, and even ‘live’ sessions on social media! We may be used to the conventional online platforms, but ‘live’ social media settings (think: Facebook/Instagram live videos) are a different ballgame altogether.

As a communicator on a physical stage, you have the luxury of various pattern break options and engagement tools to reach out to your audience. On a virtual stage, you are the main and only centre of focus – while you can use various tools to draw your audience in, the online platform means that you are under direct scrutiny from your audience. Every change in vocal tone, facial expressions, or even impromptu reactions to the ‘live’ setting can project a certain impression to your audience. We believe this is what makes a ‘live’ online session on social media challenging.

Fret not, to help you face this new environment, here are three tips you can try to boost your online ‘live’ experience for your audience!

Start High & Clear

These online ‘live’ sessions are more than just a virtual presentation; they are fresh experiences for your audience members. A lively session can draw your audience in, hold their attention, and even invite them to take on a call to action. To achieve this, energy management is key during the ‘live’ session. How you engage your audience at the start or end may influence their willingness to start (and continue) viewing your ‘live’ sessions.

For a start, the general approach is to heighten your body language elements from a physical setting. In a virtual setting, the same energy level may not translate well online, and you may lose the impact you wish to create. Start by recording practice/test sessions and assess your energy levels from there. Focus on the key online delivery elements of eye contact, vocal variety (pacing, power, pauses), and hand gestures to lead your audience. Once you have finalised the key elements that help manage your energy during the session, remember to ‘save’ those settings for your subsequent sessions! For example, keep an ongoing journal or have a cue card ready to remind you of the energy level you need to maintain when you start a ‘live’ session.

Make it Two Way – Interact & Engage

It goes without saying that an online session or a virtual stage requires more interaction opportunities. You may be able to go through a full hour session in a physical presentation with a one-way sharing, but doing the same online (even in a ‘live’ setting) can be a recipe for turning your viewers away. Instead, an online setting offers a unique opportunity to leverage technology in interacting with your audience. A Facebook ‘live’ session can be incorporated with an online poll, a call for reactions in the comments, or even direct conversation.

To start an engagement online with your audience, remember this 3-step framework. First, set the expectations neatly at the start. It may be a tall order to be the administrator and content creator simultaneously (imagine moderating an exciting comment thread while reacting to it). Instead, ensure you set the stage neatly at the start by breaking the interaction down (e.g., “Let us start first by sharing …”). Second, once the engagement is flowing, challenge yourself to use what your audience has contributed. For example, if there is an interesting comment, pick that out during your session with direct attribution. Your ‘live’ audience members can feel the satisfaction of being acknowledged and involved! Third, as you approach the end of the engagement, bring it to a neat conclusion by summarising and extracting the key points from the discussion.

Set the Commitment in the Conclusion

Finally, end with a strong conviction for your ‘live’ session. We have seen ‘live’ sessions where a tentative conclusion leaves the attendees/audience members with a sour taste towards the end. This can undo all the goodwill and engagement points you have garnered throughout your ‘live’ session. Instead, challenge yourself to create a consistent experience for your audience members that will leave them wanting more.

One method is to secure commitment in your conclusion. As you conclude, you can set out what the audience can expect in the next session – as a teaser or taster. This can be supplemented by the specific benefit to the audience (“Next week, we will learn how to …”). Remember to end on a high note by replicating the high-energy body language elements you have used for the start of the session too!

3, 2, 1 … You Are Live!

Social media ‘live’ sessions used to be a platform for specialised content creators (or even influencers). Now, more are recognising its importance as an audience outreach tool, especially during these uncertain COVID-19 times. Even if you are starting out, your ‘live’ session has the viral opportunity to grow, expand, and influence. To achieve your full potential, try out our three steps above!

By The Way…

If you are keen to take your public speaking skills & presentation skills (either business/corporate presentation / kids in-class presentation) to the next level so that you may communicate and deliver speeches with greater flair and charisma, feel free to check out our public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults and public speaking course for children below!

For more about our (weekly group classes) Public Speaking/ Presentation Skills Course for Adults :

https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/courses-and-programs/group-classes-for-adults/

If you are looking for a 2-day intensive public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults instead (for our adult learners who can’t do weekends), learn more about our presentation skills training course here: https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/presentation-skills-training-course-by-world-champion/

If you are looking for Public Speaking/ Presentation Courses for Kids / Children:

https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/group-classes-students-age-9-18/

If you are a human resources manager/ business owner in your company…

We want to help you bring out the best in your team, organization, and company. Public speaking and communication skills for the workplace, such as persuasion, remain a priority for most corporate training out there. We believe in staying ahead of the curve in sharing the contemporary communication skills to help you and your team remain relevant, competitive and nimble. Through our customized corporate training programmes, your team will benefit from an in-depth, hands-on, and potential-maximising public speaking & presentation skills training programme!

Feel free to reach out to us to curate your own public speaking corporate training programme for your team, company, or organization! Let us help you develop them into highly effective public speakers at work, empowered with effective presentation skills & storytelling skills – them giving speeches with charisma, influence and impact is something you can look forward to!

For effective presentation skills training Singapore & public speaking training for corporates/ employees: https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/corporate-public-speaking-training-workshop/