Online Meeting Etiquette & Public Speaking

Virtual meetings and public speaking both reward preparation and a few consistent habits — neither requires being a naturally extroverted person, just practiced technique.

• Online meeting etiquette: Join on time, mute when not speaking, use video when appropriate, and avoid multitasking visibly.
• Structuring a short talk: Opening (what you'll cover) → main points (2-3 max) → closing (summary + call to action).
• Managing nerves: Practice out loud beforehand, slow your pace deliberately, and remember the audience wants you to succeed.
• Handling questions: It's fine to say "let me get back to you on that" rather than guessing at an answer you're unsure of.

Practical Skill: Prepare and practice a 2-minute talk introducing a topic you know well, following the opening/main points/closing structure.

=== 2-MINUTE TALK STRUCTURE === Opening (15 seconds):  "Today I want to talk about [topic] and why it matters." Main Point 1 (40 seconds): _____________________________Main Point 2 (40 seconds): _____________________________ Closing (25 seconds):  Summarize your 2 points + one clear takeaway or  call to action for the audience. === ONLINE MEETING CHECKLIST ===[ ] Joined 2-3 minutes early to test audio/video[ ] Muted when not actively speaking[ ] Background reasonably professional/tidy[ ] Notifications silenced during the meeting