How to Deliver Hybrid Presentations That Keep Everyone Engaged

Hybrid presentations are now part of everyday business life. But making them engaging for both in-person and virtual audiences takes skill.

This guide shares practical ways to help you connect confidently with everyone and deliver effective presentations that work for both a live and remote hybrid meeting or presentation.

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

Hybrid Presentations are Different

If you’ve ever led a hybrid meeting or virtual event, you’ll know how demanding it can be to connect with people in different locations at once.

The mix of in-person audiences and virtual participants brings unique challenges, from managing technical issues to keeping your remote audience as engaged as those in the room.

Yet, the key benefits of getting it right are huge. Done well, a hybrid approach lets you reach more people and exchange information faster. Here’s how to make your next hybrid presentation a success.

1.      Treat Your Hybrid Presentation as Two Experiences

When you’re presenting in a meeting room, it’s easy to focus on the people you can see. But the online audience deserves just as much attention. These are your virtual attendees, joining from different locations and often dealing with distractions.

For hybrid presenting, think of them as separate groups that need a shared experience. For those in the room, your presence and energy are what count. For those online, remember, the experience is intimate.  You have been invited into their home – so speak to them as a guest in their house.   

If possible, have one of your team members act as a remote facilitator. They can monitor the live chat, manage Q&A sessions and handle any technical issues that crop up mid-flow.

CASE STUDY – Hybrid Presenting at Columbia Business School

Every year, I teach a class at Columbia Business School.  I do this as a Hybrid Presentation, with me at my desk in the UK and participants either at a Columbia lecture room or at home. 

To make this work smoothly, the professor in the US acts as a facilitator for the class at Columbia.  Being in the room, they introduce the session, they pick questions, read the online chat bar and do any local coordination.  In the UK, I can work on engaging the audience, sharing important information and answering questions from the audience.

As a result, we run a lively, interactive session that is regularly rated as amongst the most popular on the executive MBA programme. 

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2.      Use the Right Technical Set-Up

Getting the right tools in place for a hybrid presentation is the first step towards a successful hybrid meeting. Follow these top tips:

• Camera: Keep it at eye level. Eye contact helps your remote audience feel included.
• Microphone: Invest in quality audio equipment — crackly sound kills attention faster than bad slides.
• Lighting: Avoid bright windows behind you. Soft front light creates a professional look.
• Slides: Use simple presentation software with strong visuals. Keep text minimal and easy to read.

Test your internet connection and camera before you start. It’s the easiest way to prevent problems later.

3.      Show Your Energy and Enthusiasm

In hybrid presentations, your energy sets the tone. Whether you’re in a live event, training session or hybrid workshop, your enthusiasm will keep your audience engaged – both in-person and virtual.

Use gestures that are visible to both in-person groups and online participants, and move naturally between the camera and the room. Vary your tone, keep a good pace and use strategic pauses. By using pauses you’ll help your message land.

Remember, the camera flattens your presence, so amplify your delivery slightly. A smile and lively tone carry further online than you might think.

4.      Don’t Rely on PowerPoint

It’s tempting to hide behind your slides, but overusing them can make even a good hybrid presentation feel flat.

The best hybrid presenters know how to mix slides, storytelling and speaking directly to people. Consider how much you need slides, and decide if you might be better speaking without slides for part of your presentation. 

PowerPoint is a helpful tool, but it should support your message, not replace it. Use visuals, short clips or, even better, a virtual whiteboard to keep attention levels high.

Tell stories that connect your different audiences, bring in examples and make your material personal.

A recent study in the events industry showed that presenters who shared relevant stories achieved far higher audience engagement than those who relied solely on slides.

5.      Keep Engagement High

Your remote attendees can easily drift off. They’re just one click from their inbox or addictive social media. So you need deliberate engagement strategies to keep your entire audience involved. For example, the simplest thing you can do it use the word ‘YOU’ throughout the event.

For example, you can build in interactive elements like polls, short breakout discussions or quizzes. If your virtual meeting platform allows, you could use breakout rooms for small-group interaction or real-time collaboration exercises.

Try phrases like:

“Those joining online, add your thoughts in the live chat; those here in person, share yours aloud.”

That simple habit creates a similar experience for both groups and unites the entire group.

6.      Manage Timing and Flow

Hybrid audiences, especially those attending virtually, tire faster than in-person meetings. Break your talk into short segments (every 5-7 minutes), use transitions and involve people regularly.

A strong introduction helps draw people in early. Then, maintain a good pace and switch focus between your in-person attendees and online audience.

If your hybrid event involves different time zones, respect that. Keep start and end times clear and follow up with a summary or recording. People appreciate clarity and structure.

7.      Rehearse Like It’s Real

This is one of the best practices for any hybrid presentation. Practise in full using the actual tech setup, whether that’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Record yourself, watch it back, and note what works.

Are your gestures visible on camera? Does your voice project clearly? These small adjustments make a big difference to effective communication.

Keep adjusting and improving so that you eliminate all dull parts of your session.

8.      Close the Loop

At the end of the day, the way you finish matters. Wrap up clearly, thank both your physical participants and virtual audiences, and explain what happens next.

If you’re running a live session, share links to future events or hybrid workshops. If it’s an internal training session, outline follow-up actions and encourage your hybrid teams to apply what they’ve learned.

And don’t forget to invite feedback — it’s the best way to improve future presentations.

The Easy Way to Deliver with Impact

Hybrid presenting can feel like hard work, but the easiest way to succeed is to prepare, practise, and care about every person in your audience. With the right tools, strong delivery and the advice above, you can turn any hybrid event into a powerful experience that inspires and connects.

When you do, your in-person presentation and your virtual presentation will feel like one seamless conversation. And your audience members, wherever they are, will remember you for all the right reasons.

Ready to Deliver Your Next Hybrid Presentation with Confidence?

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we help business leaders deliver effective presentations that engage both live and virtual audiences.

If you’d like coaching for a particular event, or a hybrid presentation training session for your team, get in touch with Louise Angus today.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hybrid Presentations

Improve Your Hybrid Presenting Skills

If you’d like coaching for a particular event, or a hybrid presentation training session for your team, get in touch with Louise Angus today.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation