Ensuring that you have a successful presentation goes far beyond delivering excellent content. It’s almost like a puzzle: There are many small pieces that bring the whole picture together. When the pieces are all in place the results are simply amazing! Here is a brief summary of three key things to remember in order to have a successful presentation:

i.) Arrive as early as possible

Being early is being on time. Seems so simple right? We all have been guilty of running a little late or being extremely late. Not to mention, we all had the perfect excuse. There is so much that goes into planning and executing a conference. When you are scheduled to take the stage, there is no excuse for being late. Arriving early allows you to avoid any interruptions that could disturb your peace of mind. Ultimately, the show will go on with or without you. Don’t do a disservice to yourself by arriving late. Arriving early will also allow you to scope out the scene and make/request adjustments. For example, if the seating arrangement isn’t to your liking, you now have time to change it. You should do everything in your power to make sure you arrive at your destination early (even a day early if need be).

ü.) Presentation length and format

The majority of events or conferences have a strict policy when it comes to time parameters. Depending on the format, you may be given a certain time for speaking and a separate amount of time for questions. If you are expecting the “respect” for time should be a two-way street, then you may be mistaken. A previous speaker can run over their designated time or the event can start late. If so, you may be asked to shorten the length of your presentation to get things back on track. The ultimate lesson is that you need to be able to adapt no matter what the situation is. When you are coming up with your presentation, you need to prepare for scenarios where you can either add or shave off up to 15 minutes of content and still have a successful presentation. Making sure that you stick to the amount of time given shows respect for the establishment that has allowed you to grace their stage.

On another note, you can show up but your PowerPoint may not. We are so dependent on technology, that we forget it isn't bulletproof. The best thing you can do is to make sure everything is working properly before you present. This can be done during your rehearsal session. If there is no formal rehearsal session, then rehearse it on your own. You can never go over your PowerPoint enough before you present it to a live audience. It can be extremely difficult to anticipate if your PowerPoint presentation will work smoothly. Most of all, if for whatever reason your PowerPoint presentation fails, you need to make sure that you are still able to present. Don’t be dependent on one presentation format. The safest bet is to practice, practice, practice! PowerPoint or not, the show must go on!

iii.) Presenter introduction

Never leave it to the master of ceremonies or the person who is set to introduce you to come up with your introduction. No one knows you as you do, so you should always write your introduction. The length of your introduction may vary, but it could be anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and a half. This is an opportunity to strategically do a little bragging on yourself. It’s ok to highlight some of your achievements and characteristics about yourself. You want to do your best to prove to your audience why you have credibility, which in return will give the audience a legitimate reason to listen to you. If you are speaking as part of a large conference, the chances are that the audience has heard many speakers before you. They could have a ton of things on their mind: What’s going on at home, what needs to be completed for work tomorrow, grocery lists. Your introduction needs to ultimately prepare the audience to have all eyes on you.

Make your next presentation, your best presentation!

Sincerely,

Julian A. Leonard
(Founder of The JLeonard Group LLC)

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