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Preparing to Speak at a Presentation
Preparing to Speak at a Presentation

If you're a speaker for a webinar presentation, review these instructions.

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Written by Meaghan Laaper
Updated over a week ago

As a speaker, you'll be able to focus on your presentation while the host manages the administrative aspects of the webinar. Review these instructions prior to your presentation to learn how to join and present at a Studio Broadcast or Collaborative presentation.

NOTE: Join from a personal computer or laptop that has either a Windows 10, macOS 10.11, or a higher operating system. Do not join from your phone or tablet.

Preparing to Speak at a Presentation

1 Test your internet connection. Make sure to test in the same location you're presenting in. Your internet should have at least a 10 Mbps upload speed. There are plenty of sites you can use to test your internet speed.

NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome

If possible, plug your computer directly into the router using an Ethernet cable, or move as close as you can to the router.

2 Get camera ready. The location where you will complete your presentation should be a room free from distractions and with minimal echo. Use natural lighting to brighten the room when possible, and make sure your face is clearly visible. You can try sitting facing a window, or placing a lamp behind your webcam or to both sides.

Use lamps with translucent not opaque shades. Approximate bulb center should be eye level. Support your computer safely.
Lamps set behind and just to either side of the camera. Large soft sources illuminate the face

Make sure to move any clutter out of the frame.

If a webcam looks better than your computer camera, use it. The camera should be positioned at eye level and you should be centered in the frame with the top of both shoulders visible. Keep your eyes in the top third of the frame.

Eyes should be at top 1/3 of frame. Shoulders should be bottom 2/3 of frame

Use a USB or headset microphone, if possible. A laptop microphone can work if necessary, but earbud microphones are not recommended. No matter which microphone type you choose, make sure it's adjusted and working correctly.

Not sure what to wear? Solid colors look best on camera. Avoid patterns, black, or white garments.

3 Join the presentation. Close all other apps and browser tabs, and turn off all extraneous notifications on your computer. If connected to a VPN, disconnect unless it's absolutely necessary. If you need to use multiple tabs, we recommend disabling memory saver for Google Chrome. Then click the link in your registration confirmation email and log in to the webinar.


​Click Join as speaker 10 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Select join as speaker from under the webinar details

NOTE: Consider sending any videos or presentation slides to the host in advance of the presentation to be uploaded to Studio instead of having to share it from your computer.

Next, familiarize yourself with the Studio Broadcast or Collaborative presentation.

Speaking at a Studio Broadcast Presentation

1 Confirm your details. Before entering the Studio, complete the streaming setup tests, then click Continue. A host will need to approve you to give you full access.

Once the host has approved you, confirm your name and title. These may be displayed to attendees during the presentation. When you're ready, click Enter the Studio.

2 Talk to other speakers and hosts. Scroll down to the speaker chat to keep in touch with other speakers and other hosts throughout the presentation. Attendees will not be able to see the chat.

The pop up will say choose what to share with entire screen and share system audio checked

3 Understand the speaker view. The Stage tab will display by default. The Stage reflects what attendees can see. Click the neighboring tab, Gallery, to view other speakers and hosts instead.

Before the stream starts, use the speaker controls to test your audio and video to make sure they're working correctly.

NOTE: Having issues? Check your computer's privacy settings and ensure you've allowed microphone and camera access for your browser.

4 Get ready to stream. Once a number of attendees have joined, you can begin presenting. Use the speaker controls to control your video and audio settings.

Speaker controls are stop sharing stop video mute settings and expand

Keep in mind that the host will determine when you're visible in the broadcast. When you are added to the Stage, your video and audio will turn on automatically. Keep in touch with your host for prompts and be prepared to go live to attendees.

5 Share your screen, if necessary. To share your screen, click the monitor button, then Send request to ask the host for sharing permission. Once the host approves it, choose whether you'll share a browser tab, window, or screen.

NOTE: If you are using a macOS, ensure screen recording privileges are granted to the browser.

Determine whether or not you want to share audio, then click Share.

The pop up will say choose what to share

Now that you've started sharing, the host will determine when your screen appears on the Stage.

6 Control slides, if necessary. If your presentation includes PDF slides, you can ask the host to assign you control. Once they have, a pop-up will appear to the left of the stage. Click Got it, then use the arrows to move through the slides.

Image of studio stage with cursor over Next Slide control on the left


​7 Interact with attendees, if desired. If your presentation is using Live Q&A, prompt attendees to submit questions throughout the presentation. That way, when you're ready to start answering questions, attendees have already had a chance to up-vote their favorites.

NOTE: Attendees will see the stream 5-10 seconds after you see it on the Stage.

Speaking at a Collaborative Presentation

1 Test the settings. Upon entering the presentation, use the speaker controls to test your audio and video to make sure they're working correctly.

Speaker can select mute stop video share screen and captions

NOTE: Having issues? Check your computer's privacy settings and ensure you've allowed microphone and camera access for your browser.

2 Check in with the host. After joining the presentation, touch base with the host on any administrative details you want to review.

Five minutes before the start time, the video will be opened to attendees, so make sure to wrap up your review beforehand.

NOTE: If you are using a macOS, ensue screen recording privileges are granted to the browser.


3 Get your presentation ready to share. Once the expected number of attendees have joined, you can begin presenting. Use the speaker controls so attendees can see you and your presentation.

If your presentation is using Live Q&A, prompt attendees to submit questions throughout the presentation. That way, when you're ready to start answering questions, attendees have already had a chance to up-vote their favorites.

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