Having done a number of presentations, I have accumulated a list of items to go over before each presentation to make sure I am full prepared:
- Bring my laptop that has my PowerPoint presentation, mouse, powercord
- If the in-person session will also be webcast or if doing just a webcast, bring a microphone. A cheap solution is Logitech Labtec Desktop Microphone 600. A better, but more expensive solution is the Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone
- Bring a page-up clicker such as RF Wireless Laser Pointer with Page up Down PowerPoint Presentation Function (Black). Saves having to press a key on your laptop to advance the slides, especially when your laptop if not close to where you are standing to present
- Bring a USB memory stick that has a backup of my PowerPoint presentation. Just in case your laptop fails and you have to borrow another laptop
- Install ZoomIt on my laptop. So you can zoom in during a demo for those in the back of the room
- Print notes pages with slide thumbnails. In the very unlikely scenario you have no power or no functioning laptop
- Bring an air card if you need internet access in case the location does not have working WiFi
- Turn off the power/screen saver on your laptop so your presentation is not interrupted
- Use white background/black text on your slides
- Wear a watch or display a clock on your laptop (or use the clock/timer in Presenter View) to keep track if you are going to fast or slow
- In PowerPoint, turn off auto advance of slide (see Set Time Duration For Moving To Next Slide [PowerPoint 2010])
- In PowerPoint, make sure to review: On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, ensure that the monitor on which you want the audience to see your presentation, appears in the Show On list
- Make sure to review how to view PowerPoint notes while in Slide Show mode: View your speaker notes privately, while delivering a presentation on multiple monitors.
- You may want to make a few setting changes on your laptop to improve recording: Go to Sound -> Recording -> Properties -> Levels -> FrontMic (100) and Microphone Boost (+20). Also check the boxes for Noise Suppression and Acoustic Echo Cancellation
- Bring business cards
- If doing an online presentation, using something like the Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Noise-Isolation Earphones with tapLINE II Remote and Mic along with the Smartphone/iPhone Headset to PC Adapter that allows you to connect the 3.5mm earphone plug to your laptops microphone and audio 3.5mm plugs. This makes your voice clear. Avoid using your laptops built-in mic (which will happen if you don’t use a headset to PC adapter and only plug into the audio jack on your laptop!)
- Also, if doing an online presentation via Lync or Live Meeting, you should upload your PowerPoint presentation instead of sharing your desktop. See Tip: Stop sharing your desktop for PowerPoint presentations and Tip o’ the Week #111 – Sharing PowerPoint in Lync? and My 5 Immutable Rules of LiveMeeting and Live Meeting: Importing Content
- One more online presentation tip: If you have attendees who are noisy, use the “Mute All Except Me” option in Live Meeting or “Mute Audience” in Lync
More info:
How to Write a Conference Abstract
What Makes a Good Conference Session or Keynote?
Plagiarism Week: Pilfered Presentations
How to Deliver a Killer Technical Presentation
How to Rehearse a Presentation
How I Made the #SQLPASS Top 10 Sessions
Gaining Speaker Experience Credentials
Speaker Lessons Learned – Free Advice That’s Paid For
How to Prep for a Presentation
The Presenter’s Bill of Rights
Become a Presenter, Change Your Life
How I Architect A Technical Slide Deck
My Favorite Suggestions for New Speakers
You Can Give A Technical Presentation (Video)
Nice Tips James
Perfect timing for this post. I’m doing my very first presentation on 6/7/12 for our local SQL PASS User Group. Thanks for the tips!
Glad to help Doug, and good luck on your first presentation!