Mastering the Hybrid Stage: Engaging Audiences in Both Physical & Virtual Events

Public speaking has always been about connection, but in today's hybrid world, that connection must extend beyond the physical room. With events now blending in-person and virtual audiences, speakers face a unique challenge: how to engage two distinct groups simultaneously.

A great speaker can command a stage. A truly effective speaker, however, can command multiple spaces at once, ensuring that both live and virtual attendees feel equally involved and valued.

The Challenge of Hybrid Engagement

Traditional speaking techniques don’t always translate across hybrid environments. Speakers who rely solely on physical presence may struggle to engage remote attendees, while those too focused on virtual audiences risk alienating those in the room.

To succeed in a hybrid speaking environment, speakers must:

• Create an experience that feels equally engaging for in-person and virtual audiences.

• Balance eye contact, gestures, and movement across physical and digital spaces.

• Use technology effectively without making the presentation feel robotic.

A strong example comes from Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who has seamlessly blended virtual and live audiences in global speaking engagements. At the 2022 UN General Assembly, she balanced direct camera engagement with natural interaction with the audience in the room, ensuring both groups felt equally addressed.

Creating Presence in Both Spaces

A hybrid event is not two separate experiences; it is one experience delivered in two formats. To unify these audiences, speakers must:

1. Balance Eye Contact Between Camera & Room

In-person speakers instinctively address the audience in front of them, but virtual attendees need eye contact too.

• Shift focus between the audience and the camera to acknowledge both groups.

• Treat the camera as a direct conversation; speaking into it occasionally creates an inclusive experience for virtual viewers.

At the 2021 Apple Event, Tim Cook demonstrated this technique flawlessly. Despite speaking from a live stage, he frequently addressed both the audience in the room and the camera, making the digital audience feel directly engaged.

2. Use Movement Intentionally

Pacing the stage works well for live audiences but can be distracting for virtual attendees.

• Keep movements purposeful and controlled; avoid walking off-screen or shifting too frequently.

• Use gestures that translate well on camera, ensuring facial expressions and hand movements are clearly visible.

Brené Brown, renowned for her TED Talks, has mastered the art of controlled movement in hybrid settings. She uses minimal but powerful gestures, ensuring that her energy and presence reach both in-person and virtual audiences.

Leveraging Technology for Engagement

Hybrid events require more than just a speaker and a stage; technology plays a vital role in making the experience interactive. The best speakers integrate digital tools without making them feel forced.

3. Interact with Virtual & Live Audiences Simultaneously

• Use live polling tools (e.g., Slido or Mentimeter) to encourage participation from both in-person and remote attendees.

• Acknowledge virtual audience comments just as you would live audience reactions.

• Ask questions that prompt responses in both formats, ensuring interaction feels seamless.

At the 2024 Dreamforce Conference, Marc Benioff exemplified this approach by incorporating real-time virtual Q&A alongside live audience engagement, making both groups feel equally involved.

Delivering Energy Across the Screen

A speaker’s energy and tone can make or break a hybrid talk. While live audiences feed off a speaker’s presence, virtual audiences often experience a flat, less dynamic delivery. The key is to overcompensate slightly to keep virtual viewers engaged.

4. Modulate Your Voice & Expressiveness

• Use varied vocal tones to maintain engagement; flat, monotone delivery is amplified on virtual platforms.

• Smile more than usual; facial expressions are often less pronounced on camera.

• Project enthusiasm through vocal variation, ensuring your energy translates across screens.

Oprah Winfrey, a master communicator, excels at projecting warmth and authenticity whether in-person or on-screen. She adjusts her tone, pacing, and facial expressions to make sure audiences feel personally connected, even through a virtual lens.

Closing a Hybrid Presentation with Impact

A hybrid audience must be left with a cohesive, impactful closing—one that resonates with both groups equally.

5. Craft a Conclusion That Unites Both Audiences

• Summarise your key message without favouring one audience over the other.

• End with a clear call to action that applies to both live and virtual viewers.

• Engage virtual audiences until the very last second; many speakers neglect their closing presence on camera.

Jacinda Ardern, in her address to the Harvard Class of 2022, seamlessly concluded her hybrid speech by speaking equally to the in-person graduates and those joining online, ensuring everyone felt included

Final Thoughts: The Future of Hybrid Speaking

The ability to engage audiences across physical and digital spaces is no longer optional, it is an essential skill for event professionals, corporate leaders, and business speakers.

To master hybrid speaking, focus on:

• Balancing presence between live and virtual spaces to ensure every attendee feels included.

• Using technology strategically to unify audiences rather than creating a divide.

• Maintaining vocal modulation and energy to prevent virtual disengagement.

• Closing with impact to leave a lasting impression on both in-person and remote participants.

The best speakers do not just adapt to hybrid formats, they embrace them. Those who develop a seamless connection with both audiences will lead the way in shaping the future of events, conferences, and corporate communications. Hybrid speaking is not just a temporary adjustment, it is a long-term transformation in how we connect, engage, and inspire.