You're in the midst of a virtual conference presentation. How do you handle an unexpected internet outage?

1 Stay Calm

The first thing to remember is to stay calm. An internet outage is not the end of the world, and getting flustered will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breath and recognize that technical difficulties are common in the digital age. Your audience will understand and appreciate your composure as you work through the problem. If possible, use your phone or another device to quickly inform your audience via the conference chat or email that you're experiencing issues and will be back as soon as possible.

3 Offline Content

Keep a copy of your presentation and any necessary notes on your device so you can access them without an internet connection. This allows you to review your material and stay on track, even if you're offline temporarily. Additionally, if the outage is prolonged, you could record your presentation offline and send it to the conference organizers to be shared with attendees later, ensuring that your message is still heard.

4 Mobile Hotspot

Utilize your mobile phone's hotspot feature as a contingency plan. Most smartphones today can create a personal internet connection that your computer can use. It's usually as simple as enabling the hotspot option in your phone's settings and connecting your computer to the new network. Be aware that this will use your mobile data, so ensure you have an adequate data plan to support this emergency solution.

5 Communicate Clearly

When you regain your connection, communicate clearly with your audience about what happened and how you resolved it. A brief explanation will suffice—no need for a lengthy apology. Then, smoothly transition back into your presentation. This demonstrates professionalism and helps to refocus the audience on your message rather than the technical hiccup that occurred.

6 Adapt Quickly

Lastly, be prepared to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. If the outage persists, consider rescheduling your presentation or delivering it in a different format, such as a webinar or a series of smaller sessions. Flexibility is key in virtual conferences, and being able to pivot effectively can turn a potentially negative experience into an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and resilience.