You have been invited to deliver a commencement speech for a graduating class of 2020. Congratulations! But there is a catch: you have to do it online, because of the pandemic. How do you choose the best virtual platform to convey your message and connect with your audience? Here are some tips to help you decide.
Before you pick a platform, you need to think about what you want to achieve with your speech. Do you want to inspire, inform, entertain, or challenge your listeners? Do you want to interact with them, or just broadcast your voice? Do you want to use visuals, audio, or video to enhance your presentation? Different platforms have different features and limitations that can affect your goals. For example, some platforms allow you to share your screen, use polls, chat, or Q&A functions, while others are more focused on live streaming or video conferencing.
When selecting a virtual platform for a commencement speech, align your choice with your speech goals. Clarify if you aim to inspire, inform, entertain, or challenge your audience. Consider the level of interaction you desire—whether it's one-way broadcasting or engaging dialogue. Evaluate the platform's capabilities: screen sharing, polls, chat, or Q&A functions. Some prioritize live streaming, while others excel in video conferencing. Tailoring your choice to your objectives ensures a seamless and impactful commencement experience, fostering a connection with your audience through visuals, audio, or video elements.
Various virtual platforms excel in delivering commencement speeches. Zoom, known for accessibility, accommodates large audiences and interactive elements like Q&A. Microsoft Teams facilitates live events and interactive sessions. Google Meet offers seamless integration with other Google services and live streaming capabilities. WebEx ensures reliability and scalability for engaging presentations. Adobe Connect provides customizable virtual rooms for larger events with features like polls and breakout sessions. Hopin, designed for extensive virtual events, features a main stage for speeches and networking areas. Each platform differs in audience capacity, interactive tools, and ease of use, catering to diverse commencement needs.
There are many virtual platforms available for online public speaking, but not all of them are suitable for a commencement speech. Some of the most popular ones are Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Webex, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and preferences. For instance, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and Webex are good for video conferencing, but they may have limitations on the number of participants, the duration of the session, the quality of the video, or the security of the connection. Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live are good for live streaming, but they may have issues with copyright, privacy, or feedback.
Selecting the right virtual platform for a speech is crucial. Popular options like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and Webex excel in video conferencing, but watch for limitations on participants, session duration, video quality, or security. Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live shine in live streaming but might pose challenges with copyright, privacy, or feedback. Tailor your choice to your needs. I've found Zoom effective for engaging interactions in professional settings. Consider your audience size, interaction requirements, and content type to ensure a seamless and impactful commencement experience.
Once you have narrowed down your choices, you need to test your platform before the big day. You don't want to encounter any technical glitches, interruptions, or delays during your speech. You also want to make sure that your platform is compatible with your device, your internet connection, your microphone, your camera, and your presentation software. You should do a trial run with a few friends or colleagues, and ask them for feedback on the sound, the image, the content, and the delivery of your speech. You should also familiarize yourself with the platform's settings, features, and controls, and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.
Once you've shortlisted virtual platforms for your speech, rigorous testing is non-negotiable. Anticipating technical glitches or interruptions on the big day is a no-go. Ensure seamless compatibility with your device, internet connection, microphone, camera, and presentation software. Conduct trial runs with friends or colleagues for invaluable feedback on sound, image, content, and delivery. Dive into the platform's settings, features, and controls, armed with a solid backup plan. This meticulous preparation guarantees a glitch-free, impactful commencement speech, navigating any potential challenges with confidence and finesse.
Finally, you need to adapt your speech to the online format. You may have to adjust your tone, your pace, your language, and your structure to suit the virtual platform. You may have to use more vocal variety, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to keep your audience engaged and attentive. You may have to shorten your speech, simplify your message, and use more stories, examples, and humor to make it memorable and relevant. You may also have to prepare some questions, comments, or calls to action to invite your audience to participate and respond to your speech.
Delivering a commencement speech online can be challenging, but also rewarding. By choosing the best virtual platform for your goals, comparing your options, testing your platform, and adapting your speech, you can make a positive impact on your audience and celebrate their achievements.
I would encourage you to also think of ways to make an online commencement speech interactive, with sound clips, pop-up graphics, and even changes in scenes. The more you have people paying attention to you on screen, the more they will actively listen to your message.