---
title: "Virtual speeches: An audience of none"
course: "SPCH 100 · Speak with confidence"
unit: "Foundations of audience-centered speaking"
lesson: 8 of 18
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/speak-with-confidence/virtual-speeches-an-audience-of-none
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Virtual speeches: An audience of none

Lesson 8 of 18 in **Speak with confidence** (SPCH 100), unit "Foundations of audience-centered speaking". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Adapt speech content and delivery for virtual speeches when audience feedback is limited or invisible.
- Use vocal presence, pacing, eye contact, and framing to create connection with a remote audience.
- Identify what changes when a speech is virtual instead of in person, including (but not limited to) viewer camera's being off or not present, delayed reactions, potential technical difficulties and technical preparation, and reading the room.

## Teaching notes
The primary purpose of this lesson is MO6 — Apply Effective Speech Delivery Strategies (vocal, physical, visual delivery; rehearsal, feedback, revision), specifically in a distance/virtual environment

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 8 complete: Virtual speeches: An audience of none."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Managing speaking anxiety" (lesson 9 of 18), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/speak-with-confidence/managing-speaking-anxiety.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Delivery basics and confidence
Next lesson: Managing speaking anxiety