How to Speak at Conferences

I have had the pleasure of speaking at many conferences over my speaking career.From business conferences to education conferences. Faith conferences to TEDx. Each and every time I have learnt as much as I have given. Not just in content but also delivery, as well as picking up on some of the key mistakes that speakers make when presenting.

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking at the STRETCH conference in Budapest. A two-day conference focusing on the building of effective, adaptable, resilient and purposeful teams. I was the final speaker of the conference and got the chance to observe all the other presentations before it was my turn. What it gave me was an opportunity to make some notes and to offer up some of my advice on what works when you are asked to speak at a conference. So here goes.

BEFORE THE CONFERENCE

Presentation Coaching

If you are asked to deliver at a conference and you have never presented to a large audience before, PLEASE get some presentation coaching. Most high priced conferences provide speakers with some form of coaching but if they don't then at least book in a couple of hours yourself in order to get this done. A presentation coach, who has either coached conference speakers before or has spoken at conferences, can help you get a sense of what that looks like. Small things like how to start your presentation (hint. don't tell us your name or business) to how to work the platform and even how to finish with power. People have paid to hear you speak so bring value, and heck if you are good enough you get invited back to more.

Read the Brief

When you have been given a brief about the conference, schedule a call with the organisers. Tell them about your presentation to see how it aligns with the theme of the conference and if/where possible changes can be made. There are few things worse than hearing a presenter wax lyrical about him or herself which has nothing to do with the conference. Worse still to hear from a presenter who just gives the same presentation you have heard time and time again with no context of the audience

Understand your Audience

Again most good conference hosts either have a briefing call for all or individual speakers to go through not just the theme of the conference but the kind of audience you will be speaking to as well. Having an understanding of that audience will help you to shape not just the content but the language and delivery style as well. As a seasoned conference attendee, I can assure you it is very plain to see those who have not considered their audience when presenting

Visual Presentation

If you are using visual presentations take time out to design it properly. I will hold my hand up and admit a couple of times I made last minute amendments to some of my presentations and although minor they weren't congruent with the presentation. Don't rush the design, it is just as important as the verbal element of your presentation. Final word of warning. Don't make last minute adjustments on the day. Firstly, it won't align with what you have practised. Secondly, it will piss off the audio visual guys!

Lastly keep the detail on your presentations to a minimum. There is only so much attendees can remember, even if they are taking notes. If you want to share your presentation afterwards then create a more detailed document that people can download from your website after the conference. Or, if you want to, take business cards and email attendees who ask for it, direct.

Practice, Practice, Practice

However long you are going to be presenting on stage for, then ensure you have practised a run through at least ten times before the actual conference. If it is a TED-style 18 minutes, then get 180 minutes (yes three hours) of spaced but intentional practice in. If it is one hour speech, then yes, ten hours of rehearsal.

Practice the timing on your visual software and even prepare so that if the tech doesn't work you can still deliver an awesome presentation. I am often given the feedback that I seem so at ease on stage and it all seems so effortless. Well like an athlete trust me there is plenty of training and preparation that goes before the final day.

If you are a newbie to this space, practice is one of the best tools that you can use to combat nerves. No matter how long you have been speaking for, practice is key. So just in case you missed that last bit again. PRACTICE.

AT THE CONFERENCE

Introduction

I don't enforce this enough as I should (especially when I travel) but a one line introduction should be enough. You shape that introduction which should be something simple like

"Our next speaker works in (insert industry) and is the (founder of/employee for) she is the author of (books, articles, blogs) and has appeared on (insert TV, Radio) and is passionate about getting (insert added value) please welcome to the stage (Mr/Ms/Mrs/Dr- Whatever your title)"

Trust me when you leave the introduction at a conference to the whim of the MC, it can get a bit messy. When I am the emcee of a conference I get speakers to give me their one line introduction. That is enough. All the other fluff doesn't need to be said, that can be found in the more detailed speaker summary in the brochure or conference programme.

Audio Visuals

I beseech you to treat those who are in charge of Audio and Visuals with the utmost respect. Even if they are grumpy on the day, those who provide sound and visuals for you are the ones who can make or break your presentation. I have seen a couple decent presentations "sabotaged" because some presenters were disrespectful to the AV guys and gals. 

Get used to the remote control (clicker) if you have visual presentations, and if you are not using one ensure who ever is advancing your visuals knows your cues to move them forward.

Use your soundcheck as an opportunity to get your levels right. It is not a rehearsal for your speech. Refrain from using your opening lines just a simple "Checking 123, thank your for making the mic sound so nice". Don't bang or tap the mics. That is asking for trouble. Oh, and did I mention no last minute changes to the presentation you sent in before the conference.

Working the Stage

Before you get to speak it is a great idea to get up on the stage and get a feel of what it feels like. If you are one of the opening speakers get there early and get on stage so you can both visualise what the presentation will feel like and also be able to walk up and down the stage.

When you do get the chance to speak don't hide behind the podium. Get out on the stage and have a conversation. 

Whether you lean towards introversion or extraversion make people feel part of the actual audience.

If you have written something like a book which has been recently published, then mention it and offer up the possibility of being able to sign a few give away copies but don't use the platform as a way to plug items at the back of the room.

This is a conference, not a sales seminar!

Finish strong

As a speaker, and as a presentations coach, I can't emphasise enough how important it is to finish strong. Think about that final line (or lines) you want to deliver very carefully. What is your call to action? What do you want your audience to actively act upon or reflect on at the end of your presentation? Way too many finish poorly.

Go have a look at some of the best speeches at conferences, be they Apple, TED, BIL, TechCrunch, you will find the one's that engender the most feedback or remain memorable finish strong. "That's all" is not a good look. Think carefully about what you want to finish on.

AFTER THE CONFERENCE

Feedback

Get feedback from the organisers as to how they felt it went. Did it satisfy the requirements they needed. What went well? Was there any room for something that could have gone better? What one thing stood out for them?

Conference organisers are usually connected so explore the possibility of who they can recommend you to for future speaking opportunities.

If filmed, get a copy of the presentation so you can review for yourself what went well and what you can build on. A number of people say they are afraid of seeing themselves on stage. If you are afraid then what about us? Just kidding.

Part of your development as a speaker or presenter is being able to review what you did so you can get better. Reviewing tone, pauses, platform movement, slides or any other element of your presentation is essential.

AND FINALLY.....

Always be learning. Watch others to model (see what they do well) not mimic (imitate what they do) their presentation styles to help you develop. I work as a coach with a few conference organisers each year and a number of people who want to take their conference speeches to the next level. I am not cheap but hey if you want the best, you make the investment right. Feel free to contact my team here if you are interested.

Every success.