The pace of modern life is such that every minute of working time counts. There are so many daily tasks that sometimes it’s scary to even look at the clock. In this context, how can anyone find 6 to 8 hours to calmly and thoughtfully work on a presentation?
This, of course, is not about professional presenters, for whom this is the main occupation, or students/teachers who have replaced many classical educational materials with presentations. In this case, we are talking about the majority of people for whom an online presentation is a convenient tool that helps them in their primary task.
This desire to buy time leads to the massive use of standard solutions that deprive online presentations of originality. But if most presentations, as they say, are for one person, why do they do it at all? An online presentation should attract attention and present material in the most accessible and exciting way. Template materials are very similar, as conveyor products do not perform this function. Not surprisingly, about 80% of viewers think that most presentations are boring.
Why Live Broadcasting Without Preparation Actually Works
In light of this, the question arises: “Is it vital to conduct an online presentation if there is no time to think through the original concept?” Let’s imagine, as they say, a person in the subject. Agree – in most cases, presenters are well-versed in what they are talking about. So, as a rule, such a person is quite capable of telling any interlocutor in an interesting and accessible way about what the presentation is about. For example, during a coffee break. So why shouldn’t he do the same instead of reading a set of pre-written and memorized texts?
The Authenticity Advantage
Unscripted live broadcasts offer several distinct advantages over heavily prepared content:
- Genuine connection: Audiences can sense authenticity and respond more positively to genuine communication
- Flexibility: You can adapt your message based on real-time audience feedback
- Reduced production time: No need for extensive scripting, editing, or post-production
- Lower barriers to entry: Anyone with expertise can start broadcasting immediately
Overcoming the Fear Factor
First, fear. About three-quarters of all people admit to being afraid of public speaking. Foremost, forget something important, make a mistake, or the fact that their speech will not look competent and “smart” enough.
Understanding Communication Psychology
Therefore, let’s reveal a ‘terrible secret,’ which, of course, is no secret at all. The vast majority of listeners do not care about the literacy and consistency of the text. It has long been known that the actual content of speech conveys no more than 10% of the information. For the audience, intonation, gesture, and posture are much more important.
Moreover, an interesting and captivating story is remembered much better than statistics on a slide. In any case, a coherent story after the presentation is remembered by about 60% of visitors, while statistical data and other indicators expressed as numbers – about 5%.
Reframing Imperfection
There is no need to be afraid that a live speech will not sound “according to the written”. Repetition, inconsistencies, hesitation – all this, while communicating with the audience on the air, can and should be ignored. This is one of the main things taught by TV and radio hosts.
Common fears and their reality:
- Fear: Making mistakes will ruin credibility.
- Reality: Minor mistakes make you more relatable and human.
- Fear: Forgetting important points.
- Reality: Passionate discussion naturally covers key topics.
- Fear: Not sounding professional enough.
- Reality: Authenticity trumps perfection in audience engagement.
Technical Essentials for Unscripted Live Broadcasts
While preparation may be minimal, certain technical considerations ensure your impromptu broadcast runs smoothly:
Basic Equipment Setup
- Camera: A decent webcam or smartphone with good video quality.
- Audio: Clear audio is more important than perfect video – invest in a basic microphone.
- Lighting: Natural light or a simple ring light can dramatically improve video quality.
- Internet connection: Stable broadband connection to prevent interruptions.
Platform Considerations
Different platforms serve different purposes for unscripted broadcasting:
- LinkedIn Live: Professional audiences, business topics.
- Facebook Live: Broader audiences, more casual interaction.
- Instagram Live: Younger demographics, visual content.
- YouTube Live: Long-form content, educational material.
- Twitch: Interactive audiences, gaming and creative content.
Best Practices for Successful Broadcasting
Content Framework
While avoiding rigid scripts, having a loose framework helps:
- Opening hook: Start with a compelling question or statement.
- Key themes: Identify 3-5 main points you want to cover.
- Examples ready: Have stories or case studies in mind.
- Call-to-action: Know what you want viewers to do after watching.
Timing and Scheduling
- Consistency: Regular broadcast times help build audience expectations.
- Duration: Start with shorter broadcasts (15-30 minutes) and extend based on engagement.
- Frequency: Better to broadcast consistently than sporadically.
Key Metrics for Unscripted Broadcasts
- Engagement rate: Comments, likes, shares during live broadcast.
- Retention rate: How long viewers stay during the broadcast.
- Post-broadcast views: Replay value of your content.
- Audience growth: New followers gained from broadcasts.
Conclusion
In summary, if you do not have time to prepare a really interesting presentation with an original presentation, all is not lost. Do not torture yourself and your audience with tiresome platitudes. Sit in front of the camera, calm your breathing, assume a comfortable and confident posture, and allow yourself to talk about what you know in the best way you can.
Forget about timing, standards, and scientific and pseudoscientific terms that seem to give weight to one’s speech. It is much more important to enjoy the fact that you are talking about your favorite business, which you are sincerely passionate about. Believe me, the audience will appreciate it.
The key to successful unscripted broadcasting lies not in perfect preparation, but in genuine expertise, authentic communication, and the courage to be human in front of your audience. Start with topics you’re passionate about, make sure your technical setup is solid, and remember: your audience is there because they want to hear what you have to say.
Good luck to everyone, successful presentations, and high income!
