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In addition to challenges based on a lack of in-person interaction, mediated presentations bear the challenge of unique technological difficulties. It’s common for mediated speakers to fear that their technology (whether it be an uploading tool, a computer recording device, or an Internet connection) will fail them.

Technological challenges do happen, but there are simple things you can do to try to prevent them. Practice beforehand with the technology you plan to use (we discuss this more in the following section). If you have trouble with your recording device, make sure there is a backup available. If the site you’re using stops working, try opening it in a different browser or disconnecting and reconnecting to the Internet. Contact the help team if you’re using a submission site (like YouTube or a class Web site) that’s not allowing you to upload. If you’re having trouble with an online video service (Skype, Google Hangouts, ooVoo), consider switching to another.

Real-time presentations have more room for technological error, and we discuss these further in the last section of the chapter.