Summary
When presentations moved online, I struggled to connect with audiences who kept their cameras off. It felt like the "magic" of live events was gone. But I learned to see it differently: if people still show up, even while multitasking, they care. Now, I value every participant’s effort, appreciating their presence, no matter how they tune in.
Struggling with Engaging Zoom Audiences Who Keep Their Cameras Off? Here’s What Changed My Mind.
I love in-person presentations and meetings—being face-to-face with an audience or clients. There’s a kind of “magic” in that interaction when the speaker and audience are in the same room.
That’s where I shine—making people laugh, improvising, reading the room, and adjusting my content on the fly. So when the pandemic hit and most of our interactions moved to Zoom (or other digital platforms), it was a real challenge for me.
As an international speaker who has been working across the globe for two decades, I was no stranger to online platforms even before 2020. I had done transatlantic conference calls, Zoom presentations, and lectures where I could see audiences on screens from multiple locations. But when the pandemic forced most activities online, I felt like some of the “magic” was lost.
One of the biggest challenges? Keeping the audience engaged when they can easily multitask or turn their cameras off. Whether they’re answering emails, driving, or even washing dishes, it makes it harder for a speaker to connect, keep the energy up, and ultimately drive engagement.
Early on, I struggled with this. It felt disrespectful, like the audience wasn’t fully there with me. Rationally, I knew it wasn’t personal—people have their own routines, and they behave like this with other speakers too. But emotionally, I found it hard not to take it to heart.
Nothing was more frustrating than when someone who was clearly distracted would say, “Could you repeat that? I missed the last part,” or “You were speaking too fast…”
But over the past two years, after some personal growth, I’ve started seeing things differently.
Let me share a story a client once told me—she’s a well-known couples therapist. She shared that in many of her sessions, couples would argue, shout, and sometimes even storm out of the room. When I asked how she manages not to give up on them, she told me something beautiful:
“If they haven’t given up on themselves, I won’t give up on them. And how do I know they haven’t? Because they’re here. They’re still showing up, trying to find solutions, even if it seems far off.”
I remembered this story when I decided to change my perspective on participants with their cameras off. I began to see them with more compassion and appreciation. After all, they’re still there. Even if they’re multitasking or joining from the beach, they chose to be part of the session. They registered, logged in, and made the effort to listen, despite all the distractions around them.
I’ve learned to love and appreciate my audience more in recent years, even when we’re not in the same room and even when I can’t see them.
If you’ve read this far, thank you. I’d love to hear your thoughts, insights, and experiences—especially if you’ve faced similar challenges with Zoom presentations or meetings.
Feel free to email me at yaniv@yanivzaid.com,
send a WhatsApp message to 054-8001200,
or even give me a call.
I promise to respond to everyone.
With appreciation,
Dr. Yaniv Zaid
Obrigado|Olá a todos, os conteúdos existentes nesta
Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
thank you for the heads up! appreciate it a lot
Samuel Tombs is a British economist.