Use the best Internet connection you can.

Please try to join the event from a location where you can use a fast, reliable, wired Internet connection. Wired connections (using an ethernet cable) are better than wireless (WiFi or cellular) connections. WiFi connections are better than cellular (3G/4G/LTE) connections.

Close other, unneeded applications on your computer.

Your Zoom event can demand significant memory and processing power from your computer. Closing other applications, ones you do not need during your event, will help Zoom run better.

Avoid other activities that will steal bandwidth.

Don’t start other bandwidth-intensive activities just before, or during, your event. On your device—and on other computers and devices that share your Internet connection—avoid:

• large downloads
• large uploads
• streaming video (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube)
• cloud backups (e.g. Carbonite, CrashPlan)
• cloud file synchronizations (e.g. OneDrive, Dropbox)
• other high-bandwidth activities

Audio quality is an extremely important factor in making your event successful. 

While your laptop’s webcam and built-in mic/speakers can work, audio quality can be improved by using a Bluetooth or wired (USB or headphone jack-style) headset for better results. 

Eliminate background noise.

Make sure you are in a quiet area.

Position your camera well.

Put your camera at face level (use a stand, or stack of books if you are using a laptop camera), relatively close to you.

Practice. 

Practice using Zoom in advance. Test your audio and video. Be sure light is on your face and that your background and desktop are free of distractions. Practice looking at your webcam, not the screen when you present. Practice sharing your screen.

Login 30 minutes ahead of the session time, along with all presenters. The Tech Assistant will walk you through a “script” of the session format and timing.

Also, please consider joining the “practice runs” of your event with our team!

Avoid text-heavy slideshows.

They may seem meaningful and informative, but they draw attention away from your verbal content. Replace wall-of-text slides with images, single key terms or brief phrases.

Make “eye” contact.

Avoid presenting to your computer screen. Instead, speak directly to your webcam or laptop camera. Look it straight in the eye.

If you look directly at your camera while speaking, your attendees will feel much more included in the conversation. Position the ‘active speaker’ window on your screen directly under the camera so that it is natural for your eyes to be looking towards the camera.

Yes. Presenters at the festival will be given the ability to “share” their screen with the audience. You need not share your slides with us ahead of time (unless you’re looking for feedback!). Simply click the “Share Screen” button on the Zoom webinar to share your presentation, images, etc.

Please Note: We cannot guarantee the quality of video and audio shared via the “Share Screen” function. Please try to avoid video, if possible!

Also Note: Only one presenter can share their screen at a time.

Our “Stage Manager” will help keep time, sending you a 5 minute warning via the private chat function to alert you. The Stage Manager will also help organize audience questions for you to consider during your Q&A period.  

We will be using Zoom’s Q&A box to field questions from the audience. Your Stage Manager will be vetting and answering questions while you present, marking questions for you to answer “live.” 

This means you won’t have a distracting chat taking up your screen and our team can take the pressure off moderating questions. When you’re ready to field questions, simply open the Q&A box and see the “open questions” we have passed along to you!

The event “M.C.” will return on-screen to close out the event and direct audience members to a link where they can purchase your book.