For a virtual speech, you need to into the camera lens, speak clearly, and use your voice to keep people engaged. Keep your energy up and use simple visuals to help your points. Keep them engaged through the use of the chat box. Encourage interaction there. Ask them questions and run polls. For an in-person speech, make eye contact with the audience, maintain open body language, encourage Q&A sessions and incorporate storytelling to build an emotional connection with the audience. In both cases, be careful of your pace & mindful of your audience’s reactions. Also you need to open strong in both situations to immediately grab your audiences attention. Adjust your tone & style based on whether they seem interested or need more clarity.

For a virtual speech, I focus on clarity, engagement, and energy—using crisp delivery, intentional pauses, and direct eye contact with the camera to create a connection. I keep my gestures minimal but impactful, leveraging visuals to reinforce key points. For an in-person speech, I amplify my body language, use the stage dynamically, and engage with the audience through eye contact and real-time interaction. Regardless of the format, my core message remains strong, but the execution adapts to maximize impact in each setting.

Speaking in-person and online isn’t the same, so you’ve got to adjust your delivery. In-person, use big gestures, strong eye contact, and move with purpose to keep the room engaged. Project your voice and pause so people can react. Online, look at the camera instead of the screen, use smaller but clear gestures, and switch up your tone to keep the energy alive. Since you can’t see reactions, use polls or chat prompts to interact. If it’s a hybrid speech, acknowledge both audiences, balance eye contact, and make sure engagement works for everyone. The key is knowing how to connect, no matter where people are watching from.

Attention spans are very short for either situation. In a virtual environment - the audience is constantly tempted to divert their attention elsewhere. Emails, videos or maybe Netflix? Nowadays - speaking needs to be partly entertaining. Intrigue them with thoughts. Inspire them with concepts. Or Involve them with relatable situations. In either setting - keep the sentences to be more concise. For physical settings - vary what they can see (ex. Visual aids, body language). In virtual settings - vary what they can feel (ex. voice, emotion...) Maybe you can be their favorite bookmarked talk in their memory...?

In an in-person setting, I focus on strong stage presence, making eye contact, using open body language, and incorporating natural movements to connect with the audience. My experience in public speaking and performing arts has taught me the power of voice modulation and hand gestures to enhance storytelling and maintain engagement. For a virtual speech, I adjust by ensuring clear articulation, varied vocal tone, and direct engagement with the camera to create a personal connection. I use interactive elements and remain mindful of screen fatigue, keeping my delivery crisp and engaging. Balancing both formats requires flexibility, preparedness, and a strong, relatable presence, ensuring my message resonates regardless of the medium.

When presenting in a hybrid context (ie with audience members in person and online), one thing I’ve found helpful is to use interactive polls to connect both cohorts. It’s obviously important as well to stay connected to the camera, yet also dynamic in the room, so smaller gestures rather than walking the stage can make a big difference in ensuring everyone feels included. #publicspeaking #hybrid #inclusive

For virtual, energy must translate through the screen you should use a dynamic voice, tighter framing, and more facial expressions. Keep engagement high with pauses, direct eye contact with the camera, and interactive elements like polls or chat prompts. For in-person, own the space, move with purpose, vary pacing, and use gestures to reinforce points. Feed off audience reactions, adjusting tone and energy in real time. Same message, different impact.

To effectively engage both virtual and in-person audiences, adapt your delivery style to each format while maintaining a cohesive experience. For in-person attendees, use strong body language, eye contact, and movement to establish presence. For virtual viewers, focus on facial expressions, clear enunciation, and direct engagement with the camera to create a personal connection. Balance energy and pacing to keep both audiences engaged—incorporate visual aids, polls, or Q&A sessions to foster interaction. Test your audio, visuals, and tech setup beforehand to ensure seamless delivery. Most importantly, speak naturally and inclusively, making both groups feel equally valued.

I would suggest that they don't need to be different. People like a conversational talk. If it sounds too rehearsed, impersonal, or as if you are reciting rather than just talking it won't matter if it's in person or virtual. Confidence engages. Show personality. Confidence buys permission for 'ums and uhs', which are brutal when the audience can tell you're reciting. Be friendly, treat the audience as a friend.