Ten Tips for Engaging Online Audiences

Not too long ago, “commanding the room” meant walking confidently onto a stage, feeling the energy of the audience, and making eye contact across rows of chairs. These days, many of us find ourselves facing a different kind of room: a virtual one. Instead of a stage, it’s a desk chair and fake background. Instead of applause, it’s muted microphones and turned-off cameras. And instead of eye contact, it’s staring into the soul of your webcam.

But here’s the truth: whether you’re giving a keynote, leading a meeting, or teaching an online workshop, your ability to captivate your audience hasn’t disappeared, it just looks different. With the right approach, you can be just as dynamic, engaging, and memorable online as you are in person.

Here are my top tips for commanding the virtual room and leaving your audience glad they logged in. And you might even get them to keep their cameras on!

1. Start Strong and Set the Tone

The first few minutes of a virtual talk are make-or-break. If your audience senses hesitation or monotony, they’ll start multitasking (aka: ignoring you or logging off) before you’ve even made your first point. Begin with energy, clarity, and purpose. A powerful opening statement, a compelling story, or even a surprising question can draw people in immediately. Use the chat feature to your advantage. Ask the audience to comment 1 if they are excited or comment where they are calling from to help them all connect with each other. Remember, the energy you bring sets the tone for the entire session.

2. Treat the Camera Like a Person

This one can feel awkward at first, but it’s vital. Your audience is on the other side of that lens, and if you avoid eye contact with the camera, they’ll feel disconnected. It might feel more natural to look at your audience on the screen but remember, that isn’t where their “eyes” are. 

Think of your camera as your ideal listener and speak to it with warmth, focus, and intention. This small shift makes your audience feel like you’re talking to them, not at them.

3. Break the “Monotone Box”

One of the fastest ways to lose your audience online is with a flat voice and minimal expression. Remember, in a virtual setting, you lose the most important piece of the connection puzzle: physical location. Also, the screen shrinks your presence, so you need to expand your vocal variety and facial expressions to compensate. Play with your pace, pitch, and pauses. Smile or tell a joke when it makes sense. Use your hands naturally, even if only your upper body is visible. Your energy will shine through.

4. Keep It Interactive

People don’t want to sit passively through another virtual lecture; they want to engage. Build moments of interaction into your presentation. Ask questions and encourage responses in the chat. Use polls or quick exercises to break up your content. Invite people to raise their hand (digitally or physically) and share. Even small moments of participation pull the audience back into the experience.

5. Harness the Power of Pauses

Silence can feel uncomfortable both in person and online, but it’s a powerful tool you need to get comfortable using. Instead of rushing through your points, pause intentionally to let your words sink in. Those pauses give your audience space to process and reflect. And often, those are the moments when your message hits hardest. Silence, used well, commands attention and grants time for your message to settle in.

6. Master Your Tech and Setup

Nothing kills momentum like technical hiccups. While not every glitch is avoidable, you can minimize distractions by preparing ahead of time. Test your audio and video. Make sure your lighting flatters you (natural light in front of you is ideal). Adjust your background so it’s clean and professional but still reflects your personality. These details may seem small, but they add up to credibility and professionalism and will set the tone for the energy your audience brings.

7. Keep Slides Visual, Not Textual

If you’re using slides, keep them clean and engaging. Avoid paragraphs of text that tempt your audience to read instead of listen. Use high-quality images, bold keywords, and clean design. Remember, your slides should support your story, not be your story. You are the star of the presentation, not your PowerPoint.

8. Manage Energy and Attention Spans

Online audiences tire more quickly, which means your pacing matters. Break your content into digestible sections, vary your delivery, and infuse stories and examples throughout. A personal story or relevant anecdote can recapture wandering attention faster than a bullet point list. Think of your talk in waves: energy up, pause, story, key takeaway, interaction, repeat.

9. Use Storytelling as Your Anchor

This should come as no surprise: storytelling is the glue that holds virtual presentations together. Facts and data fade (not to mention they are boring), but stories linger. Share relevant real-life experiences that connect emotionally with your audience. Tell stories that illustrate your points, humanize your message, and keep people invested. Storytelling turns a virtual presentation into a collective experience.

10. End with Impact

Don’t just trail off with “That’s it” or “Any questions?” End with intention. Summarize your key points, circle back to your opening hook, or leave the audience with a clear call to action. An impactful ending ensures your message doesn’t just fade into the noise of their inbox and Slack notifications. Here’s an example that I use frequently at the end of a speech: “Today I challenge you to lean into your own story. You never know what you will find that can be the lifeline someone else needs. What will you share next?”

Final Thoughts

The virtual room might look different, but your power as a communicator doesn’t change. It is still about presence, connection, and impact. By treating the camera as the gateway to your audience, amplifying your energy, and weaving in stories and interaction, you can transform a flat screen into a dynamic stage.

Next time you log onto Zoom or Teams or Google Meet, remember you don’t just have to “get through it.” You have the chance to command the virtual room. And when you do, your audience will walk away not just informed but inspired.

Ready to Command the Room—Virtual or Otherwise?

You don’t have to figure out speaking and storytelling alone. I help women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ leaders and entrepreneurs craft stories that connect, build unstoppable confidence, and deliver presentations that leave audiences wanting more.

If you’re ready to stop dreading the virtual stage and start owning your voice, let’s work together. Book a free call today and let’s take the first step toward speaking with confidence and impact.