If you’ve been asked to speak, chances are you’re pretty chuffed that somebody thinks you’re worth listening to. Unfortunately, your great words are only part of the presentation’s success.
Ask any presenter how their presentation went and you can bet that in most cases the “hitches” were not in their content or delivery, but caused by peripheral things that went wrong.
Sometimes the person organising the presentation is a first-timer and won’t have a clue what is needed. And even the most experienced event organisers may need some organising to make sure every thing runs smoothly for you.
Over the years, and often from bitter experience, I’ve developed the following strategies to avoid the hitches and set the best possible scene for a successful presentation.
- Never assume what will be available for you when you are speaking. Request specifically what you need for your presentation well in advance. This can be such things as how you want the room set up, flip chart, screen, lectern, microphone, display table and so on. Prepare a checklist of what you need and call the organiser the day before to confirm. If something you need is not going to be possible or available, forewarned is forearmed and you can make the necessary adjustments.
- If at all possible visit the room before the presentation to become familiar with the layout. If not, get there early so you have time to check the amenities and the position you will be speaking from. Glare from the sun in your eyes or on your power point screen can be a killer. Don’t be timid about requesting changes to your speaking position.
- Have someone come with you to assist you set up and help with any book or DVD sales or enquiries. Apart from giving you moral support, they can be very useful in freeing you up to chat and initiate sales after the presentation. Take a pile of pre-printed receipts.
- Arrive at least an hour before you are due to speak at a conference so you can get the feel of the event and check out the facilities.
- Nothing is worse than presenting to an audience that is eating. For a mealtime presentation, ask that the schedule avoid you having to present before the meal is over. If you don’t feel like eating before the presentation, don’t let the organisers dump it down in front of you the minute you finish. People will be reluctant to approach you for information whilst you are eating.
- Call to confirm audience numbers the day before and take a few extra handouts. >
- If you are presenting pro-bono to business associations, it’s common to offer a gift or raffle prize to the audience in exchange for business cards. This can be your book, a free session or a valuable download. Make sure your hosts know what you are doing and you actually get the business cards collected yourself and nobody else knocks them off (yes, this has happened to me). I now take my own container to collect the cards in.
- Ask about parking facilities and make sure there is an agreement for any charges to be reimbursed. City parking can leave you seriously out of pocket.
That’s about it folks. Now all you have to do is craft your brilliant words.
If you have any other tips for a successful presentation, please share them below.
“ If at all possible visit the room before the presentation to become familiar with the layout. ”
Wendy Buckingham provides independent information to assist soloists who want to add coaching skills to their portfolio.
