The following might help: 1) Engage with direct questions 2) Try to add polls or quizzes 3) Use engaging visuals and infographics wherever possible 4) Share related case studies which the audience may find interesting 5) Periodically summarise key points to ensure clarity and allow time for attendees to network.

Always ensure to have QnA towards the end of the session. Keep on interacting with the audience in between to ensure they are engaged, for instance , Ask for their opinions on a topic that you’re discussing to initiate engagement.

Interactive Polls and Questions:Use polls or quizzes to involve the audience and gather feedback in real time. Break Content into Segments:Divide your presentation into shorter, focused sections with opportunities for discussion in between. Encourage Chat and Q&A:Actively encourage attendees to ask questions or share thoughts in the chat, addressing them promptly. Use Visual and Multimedia Elements:Incorporate videos, images, or infographics to break the monotony and capture attention. Engage with Names:Call on participants by name to answer questions or offer opinions to make them feel included. Breakout Rooms for Discussions:Use breakout rooms to facilitate small group discussions on relevant topics, fostering collaboration.

What I always do and what works very well is ask a nice question and ask them if they would like to 'put your hands up'. In many virtual environments, everyone sees the hands moving across the screen. And that feels like we're all there ??????????

As a soft skills trainer, I'd suggest a counterintuitive approach: embrace the disconnect. Pause your presentation and ask virtual attendees to share their surroundings or distractions. This acknowledgement creates a shared experience, sparking curiosity and re-engagement through relatability, rather than fighting against the virtual divide.