Gathering back together in person is just as exciting as it is a little nerve-wracking, especially when you throw in speaking in front of an audience. While we have all started to adjust to a “new normal,” it’s important to remember the basics when it comes to preparing for an event. 

Though virtual events are still alive and well, we are starting to see events slowly return to in-person formats. Feeling a little rusty with the return to live events? Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are navigating a live speaking opportunity:

• Don’t Wait on Travel: There is nothing worse than needing to book a last-minute flight and seeing the astronomical price tag. One of the first steps you should take after confirming your participation at an in-person event is to consider your travel arrangements. For some, an event may be a short car ride away, but for others it becomes a trip.

  • While booking your travel, it’s important to understand what COVID precautions are taking place as they vary from city to city. Many events have started to adopt masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. Other precautions to watch out for include quarantine periods either before or after the event. 

• Take the Time to Prep: It’s easy to put preparing for a speaking gig on the back burner when you have other priorities, but in order for your talk to run smoothly preparing in advance is essential. This can include preparing your slides in advance to avoid a last-minute rush or hopping on a prep call with other panelists or moderators. Most of all, practice, practice, practice! According to an article from Mental Floss, reading aloud helps you remember more information. This will make it easier to deliver your talking points more confidently on stage. 

• Overly Prepare Your Slides: Nothing can trip up a prepared speaker more than issues with slides day-of. As savvy as we all believe we are, we are no match for the unpredictability of technology. To avoid any last-minute snafus, here are some tips:

  • Tip 1: Make sure everything in your slides is downloaded before you share it with the event. Fonts, videos, etc. can get lost when they are transferred to another device, making your slides seem unfinished on stage!

  • Tip 2: Prepare your slides in advance so you can avoid making last-minute changes. When events already have a copy of your slides, swapping in a new deck leaves room for the wrong presentation to be projected.

  • Tip 3: Always bring a backup! You may have submitted slides online, but it’s always best to bring a backup on a thumb drive. It’s important to note that not all tech booths will have the ability to pull slides from your laptop, so a drive is always the safest option.

• Make the Most of It: At the end of the day, no speaking opportunity is truly perfect! Don’t fret about the little things and make the most of the experience while you are at the event. Take a look at the agenda in advance to see what other sessions you can join and take advantage of any networking opportunities the event puts on. And most of all, have fun! 

These tips will help you take the nerves away and successfully deliver a smooth speaking engagement in person. Want to share thought leadership via speaking at events? Get in touch!