Sarah's husband got rear-ended while he was on a Zoom call this morning. Yep. Literally in traffic, on camera, during a virtual meeting. (And no, he wasn’t driving. Don’t worry. As Sarah's daughter helpfully said: “At least he was on mute.”)
Here’s the kicker: It wasn’t his fault.
But it is a perfect metaphor for what’s happening to all of us. We are showing up to meetings that feel like car crashes. Everyone’s half-present:
- Cameras off.
- Slides are droning in the background.
We’ve normalized distraction and called it business as usual.
Somehow, we’re okay with wasting hours of our lives in meetings that make zero impact.That needs to stop. You can do better. You deserve better. And so does your audience.
This week, we’re calling it out.
👉 Virtual meetings aren’t the problem.
👉 How we show up to them is.
Ready to do something about it?
You don’t need to overhaul your life: just start small.
Here are 3 things from this newsletter you can do today to instantly level up your virtual presence:
✔️ Make eye contact with the camera, not your reflection
✔️ Use intentional body language (yes, hands matter even more on Zoom)
✔️ Plan for distractions—yours and theirs
You’ll find even more practical takeaways, examples, and next steps below.
Let’s fix this, together.
MSL Talk Podcast: "How to Prepare and Succeed on a Video Interview"
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Most people think virtual means casual. It’s not. It’s harder. You’re not just competing with inboxes and toddlers—you’re competing with fatigue.
It's all about the non-verbal cues you are or aren't sending. They matter even more virtually.
Want to own the screen? Here are the key takeaways Tom shared that didn’t make it into the episode:
Tom shares the 4 power moves you need to own the screen:
- Make eye contact with the camera, not your face.
- Posture is presence. Sit tall or stand tall.
- Hand gestures = human connection.
- Speak like you're in the room, not behind a screen.
Stop being another talking head. Start being someone they remember.
Tune in to the full episode for expert tips.
Featured Blog Post: "Here's Why Your Virtual Presentations Fail"
You know the deck. You know your data. But somehow, your audience is checked out.
Why?
Because you forgot one thing: presentation is performance.
It’s not enough to “share slides”—you have to spark attention. Here’s how:
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Lead and close with energy. Don’t ramp up—start strong. And do not fizzle out at the end.
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Ask questions that make people think.
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Speak in stories, not bullet points.
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Let your face, voice, and body do the work.
Your audience isn’t bored. They’re just waiting for someone to show up like it matters.
Read the full blog to learn how to start connecting with your audience in a meaningful way.
Read the Full Post Now - Click Here
Expert Recommendation: Why "Fine" Is Failing You
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Poll Results: Virtual Frustrations, Revealed
We asked: What frustrates you most about virtual presentations? And the answers were loud and clear:
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Distracted audiences
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Cameras off
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Zero engagement
It’s not just annoying. It’s defeating. But here’s the opportunity you probably aren't leveraging:
Mastering the first 5 minutes with a great ice breaker. This changes the whole vibe of the meeting and keeps people engaged.
Success Stories: Rosa Mastered Virtual And Landed the Role
Here's the power of owning your virtual presence. Rosa Millero didn’t just attend virtual interviews—she commanded the room.
Her calm confidence, clear communication, and intentional presence didn’t just make an impression, they sealed the deal. She showed up like the role was already hers. And now? It is.
She’s officially stepping into her next chapter as a Cardiometabolic Educator.
Rosa’s secret? She treated every virtual interaction like it mattered because it did.
Her story is proof:
âś… Presence can be powerful.
âś… Strategy makes you unforgettable.
âś… How you show up virtually can shape your future.
So now the question is:
What are you doing to take control of your career?
Are you hoping someone notices… or making sure they can’t look away?
If you're ready to lead the screen like Rosa did, our Crushing Virtual Presentations Online Course is for you!
Are you as sick of bad virtual presence as we are?
In Medical Affairs, your presence is your power. And right now, most people are giving that power away one awkward Zoom at a time.
But here's the good news:
You already have what you need to start showing up differently today.
This issue gave you quick, actionable tips:
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How to engage a distracted audience
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The body language tricks that actually work on screen
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A reminder that average = forgettable
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And how Rosa used all of this to land her dream job
Now it’s your turn. Reply and tell us how you are going to start taking command of your career virtually.
With love and zero filler words,
Sarah, Patrina, Tom, and Ralph
P.S. Still sitting down for virtual presentations? Stand up. Bring that main-character energy.
P.P.S. We see you, Rosa. You crushed it. đź‘‘
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