Hello, thanks to the numerous feedbacks that readers of this post sent me, I prepared this follow up message to summarize their wise advices for the benefits of all.

Applicability:

·Big or little conference, ‘small’ internal presentation or not – most guidelines apply everywhere.

·Any ‘public talk’ is an opportunity to get comfortable with the techniques. That way you’ll be ready when that large conference arrives!

Preparation:

·A difference between usual presentations and big events/conferences is the time between when you know you have to talk and the date of the speech, and the associated deadlines

·Another difference for large events is the distance with the audience – both physically and mentally and the supporting material that you have to provide. Take the time to find out what the audience cares about and be flexible enough to change. It’s never about you, it’s always the audience, if they do not hear what you are saying it’s your problem not theirs. Check to make sure you are on the same wavelength.

·Anticipate and plan your communications with the people that you need to agree with (the external communications department of your company for instance).

·Always be clear on cost & impact, i.e. what is at stake? Do not inflict unnecessary stress on yourself.

In practice:

·I always start with « my name is ………………… and I love my job ». If you are not passionate about what you do, why should the audience?

·I have a slide that says here are the three things I would like you to walk away with. Refer back to the three things in your closure.

·I would add that no matter what, if you make a mistake or if you have a blank (and it does happen even to the most prepared speaker) take a deep breath.  To the speaker, it will seem forever, to the audience, it will just give them time to mull over what you said before. This gives the speaker a rest to get his/her bearings back.  Light humor always helps also.

·Test the projections on a very large screen. Images that look acceptable on a computer screen or a smaller projector can look pixelated when projected to a convention wall.

·If you have an assistant, make sure that you have worked out the signal to move slides BOTH forward and backward.

·Make sure you utilize the restroom BEFORE they attac

Hello, thanks to the numerous feedbacks that readers of this post sent me, I prepared this follow up message to summarize their wise advices for the benefits of all.

Applicability:

• ·Big or little conference, ‘small’ internal presentation or not – most guidelines apply everywhere.
• ·Any ‘public talk’ is an opportunity to get comfortable with the techniques. That way you’ll be ready when that large conference arrives!Preparation:
• ·A difference between usual presentations and big events/conferences is the time between when you know you have to talk and the date of the speech, and the associated deadlines
• ·Another difference for large events is the distance with the audience – both physically and mentally and the supporting material that you have to provide. Take the time to find out what the audience cares about and be flexible enough to change. It’s never about you, it’s always the audience, if they do not hear what you are saying it’s your problem not theirs. Check to make sure you are on the same wavelength.
• ·Anticipate and plan your communications with the people that you need to agree with (the external communications department of your company for instance).
• ·Always be clear on cost & impact, i.e. what is at stake? Do not inflict unnecessary stress on yourself.

In practice:

• ·I always start with « my name is ………………… and I love my job ». If you are not passionate about what you do, why should the audience?
• ·I have a slide that says here are the three things I would like you to walk away with. Refer back to the three things in your closure.
• ·I would add that no matter what, if you make a mistake or if you have a blank (and it does happen even to the most prepared speaker) take a deep breath.  To the speaker, it will seem forever, to the audience, it will just give them time to mull over what you said before. This gives the speaker a rest to get his/her bearings back.  Light humor always helps also.
• ·Test the projections on a very large screen. Images that look acceptable on a computer screen or a smaller projector can look pixelated when projected to a convention wall.
• ·If you have an assistant, make sure that you have worked out the signal to move slides BOTH forward and backward.
• ·Make sure you utilize the restroom BEFORE they attach the microphone.
• ·Join Toastmasters so you can practice your speech before a live audience. Try out anything that you are uncertain about at a Toastmasters meeting and listen to the feedback you get. You may not be able to practice the whole speech, but you can do 5 to 7 minute segments of your speech. As an added bonus, you will be getting really useful feedback about your general speaking habits. You can find a Toastmasters club near you at http://www.toastmasters.org/ . »

h the microphone.

·Join Toastmasters so you can practice your speech before a live audience. Try out anything that you are uncertain about at a Toastmasters meeting and listen to the feedback you get. You may not be able to practice the whole speech, but you can do 5 to 7 minute segments of your speech. As an added bonus, you will be getting really useful feedback about your general speaking habits. You can find a Toastmasters club near you at http://www.toastmasters.org/ . »