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. I...