Why Online Presentations Can Be More Engaging Than In-Person

When the world shut down during the pandemic, like many others, we had to pivot—fast. At Media Minds, that meant transforming a spare room into a full video studio. But we didn’t just want to survive online presenting. We wanted to master it.

So we looked to the experts: YouTubers.

These content creators run one-person production studios. They know how to hold attention in an environment filled with distractions. We took inspiration from their setups—starting with camera angles, sound, and lighting. A simple ring light, for example, made a huge difference in creating a polished, professional look. Good audio mattered even more.

Then came the tech. We adopted OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)—a powerful, free platform that lets you layer visuals, switch scenes, and add real-time effects. No more clunky screen shares or awkward transitions. With Stream Deck, a programmable control pad, we could switch slides, play videos, or trigger overlays with a single tap. It brought fluidity and spontaneity that made our online talks feel dynamic, not static.

And here’s the real surprise: done right, online presentations can actually be more engaging than in-person ones. They’re more democratic—everyone’s the same distance from the screen, with equal access to visuals and sound. You can integrate real-time polls, bring in guest speakers instantly, and shift visuals to match your message in a way that’s simply not possible in a physical room.

Yes, online delivery requires new skills. But it also offers new opportunities. When we bring the polish of professional content creation into our virtual talks, we don’t just adapt—we elevate.