Introduction
Hey guys, this week on When You Need Them Ask Neadom, we're gonna talk about the 9 hacks for presentation day—how you can make the best out of your next presentation. We'll see you soon.
Hey guys, welcome to the week of When You Need Them Ask Neadom. Today we're going to talk about the nine hacks that you can do for your presentation. We want to make sure that you have the best possible presentation. So what can you do to make sure that you're ready to go on presentation day?
These can be really scary if you're not used to presentations. If you've never done one before, this video is for you—to really make sure that you've got some stuff to work through. Now, this is not going to be about how to make a presentation or what to include in your presentation. This is going to be from the technology side—the stuff you need to make sure you're ready for when you walk in. These are things that most people forget about when putting a presentation together.
Preplanning
We're going to take a look at the six pre-planning steps we need to have ready before the presentation.
1. Bring the Right Cords
If you've got a laptop with HDMI out or an older one with a VGA port, make sure it can connect to the presentation device, TV or projector. Contact the facilitator and ask what kind of connection they use. If you don’t have the right adapter, get one from Amazon. Make sure you have it before the presentation.
Backup Presentation
2. Always Have a Backup
Let’s say your laptop dies you have a backup on a thumb drive, OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Personally, I use OneDrive, carry a thumb drive, and bring my laptop. If someone else has a laptop, they can save your bacon. Always have a Hail Mary backup plan.
Battery
3. Charge Your Laptop
This sounds obvious but plug your laptop into a charger before you leave or go to bed. Power it down before packing it to preserve battery. You might not have access to power at the venue. Don’t ever go into a presentation without a fully charged battery.
Presentation Settings
4. Use Presentation Mode
If you're using a Windows PC, turn on presentation mode. It disables the screensaver and sound, so your laptop doesn’t shut off or do anything silly mid-presentation.
5. Bring Business Cards
Bring plenty. If you're presenting to establish yourself as an expert, people may want to connect with you.
6. Add Your LinkedIn QR Code
Use the LinkedIn app to generate your QR code and include it in your presentation. It makes connecting with you fast and easy.
Show Up Early
7. Arrive an Hour Early
Be the first one there. Set up, test your video output, and resolve any technical issues. If you show up late and things go wrong, people may not see you as an expert, even if it’s not your fault. Know your presentation well enough to deliver it without slides if needed.
Check the Internet
8. Test the Internet
Check for guest access or bring a hotspot. Avoid relying on internet access. Download videos and take screenshots of websites to avoid failures.
Engage with Your Audience
9. Share Your Slide Deck Strategically
People will ask for your slides. Use this as a chance to collect business cards. Tell them you’ll email the deck afterward. Now you’ve got their contact info for future engagement.
Conclusion
So those are the nine things to double-check on presentation day. I hope this helps you deliver an A+ presentation. If we can help you in any way, reach out to us online. Until next time, stay safe and we’ll see you soon.
