How To Take Your Virtual Presentations From Good To Great with Dewitt Jones

On today’s Thought Talk, I speak with my good friend Dewitt Jones about the power of virtual presentations.  Jones is an international Keynote speaker, former National Geographic photographer, and the founder of Celebrate What’s Right With the World. 

 

Dewitt went from speaking at dozens of in-person events with thousands of attendees pre-COVID to pivoting  to virtual keynotes. He is currently gearing up for his first 130,000 person talk.

 

We will discuss the keys to a great virtual presentation, what type of backgrounds work (and don’t), how to address the camera in a way that feels like you are speaking to an audience, and how best to keep your audience’s attention. 

 

 

Tips for a better virtual presentation: 

 

Mind your space — there is such a thing as too far and too close on the camera. Find your ideal space for connection.

 

The camera picks up on the smallest facial expressions so it’s critical to train and practice your presentation. 

 

Keep your talking portion below 30 minutes and add visual support to remain engaging — images get to the heart and gut of the audience in a way that words can’t.

 

There is more than one right answer — look for solutions, and remember that the key to creativity is embracing change. 

About Karen Tiber Leland

 

Karen Tiber Leland is the founder of Sterling Marketing Group, a branding, marketing, and color strategy and implementation firm helping CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs develop stronger personal, business, and team brands. Her clients include Cisco, American Express, Marriott Hotels, Apple Computer, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 

She is also the best-selling author of nine traditionally-published business books that have sold over 400,000 copies and been translated into 10 languages. Her most recent book is The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand. She regularly writes for Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com and has had articles published in Self, The Los Angeles Times, American Way, The Boston Globe, and many others.

 

Karen has spoken for Harvard, The AMA, Direct Marketing Association, and Stanford, among others. She has been interviewed on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, and Oprah.

 

Get in touch with Karen on Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

 

About Our Guest

 

Dewitt Jones is one of America’s top professional photographers. Twenty years with National Geographic photographing stories around the globe has earned him the reputation as a world-class photojournalist. As a motion picture director, he had two documentary films nominated for Academy Awards before he was thirty.

 

Speaking to audiences across the country, Dewitt is recognized as a renowned lecturer. His genuine style and ability to communicate with audiences make his presentations truly outstanding. Dewitt’s inspirational messages are further discussed in his best-selling training programs.

 

In the business community, Dewitt’s work is also well known. He has produced seven best-selling video training programs, distributed by Star Thrower Distribution. These films are used every day by corporations, schools, churches, hospitals, and consultants — inspiring thousands to find their “next right answer” and to “celebrate what’s right with the world”!

 

Dewitt has published nine books including California! and John Muir’s High Sierra. His most recent book, The Nature of Leadership, was created in collaboration with Stephen R. Covey.

 

Dewitt graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in drama and holds a Master’s Degree in filmmaking from the University of California at Los Angeles.

 

You can learn more about Dewitt Jones on his LinkedIn|Facebook|Twitter

To book him for a keynote visit his Website

 

Mentioned

Celebrate What’s Right With The World

Resources

 

Do you think you might benefit from one-on-one personal, CEO of business branding and marketing consulting? If so, you might want to consider booking a Rent My Brain session.

 

During this one-hour, high-impact consulting call we get to the heart of your branding and marketing questions.

 

For more information or to book a session, contact me directly at [email protected] or visit Sterling Marketing Group.

 

Tweetables and Quotes to Share

 

In my experience, background appearance does make a difference.  If you’ve got all these boxes behind you and you’re talking about serious issues, those boxes are going to be a distraction. @KarenFLeland PODCAST: https://bit.ly/36t9LyW

 

“I’m okay with the occasional cat that walks through the frame, but some of the backgrounds people have chosen are just awful: so distracting you can’t even watch the person.” - Dewitt Jones PODCAST: https://bit.ly/36t9LyW

 

“My basic message about seeing things differently hasn’t changed [since COVID-19], it’s just that people need it more.” - Dewitt Jones PODCAST: https://bit.ly/36t9LyW

 

“I want to give people four to five things they can hang onto, to switch their lens just enough to start celebrating what’s right. As we come back to a new workplace environment, people need that.” - Dewitt Jones PODCAST: https://bit.ly/36t9LyW