Professional Presentation Preparation Punchlist

After decades of speaking around the world and watching other presenters, skilled and not-so-much, I created this handy checklist below for our lineup of thought leaders and practitioners at the #MITCDOIQ Symposium. So expect this year's (virtual) event to be the best ever! (July 20-22: https://cdoiq.mit.edu/)

Feel free to refer to this anytime in preparing for your own talks! And feel free to suggest other best practices in the comments section.

Preparation:

• I am not waiting until the last week/day/hour to prepare my materials.
• I have adequately researched my topic to ensure that relevant points of view and research are included.
• I have reviewed my materials with others at my organization for feedback and any approval necessary. 
• I have rehearsed my materials and created necessary speaker notes.
• I have timed my presentation to ensure adequate time for Q&A.
• I can and will speak slowly and clearly enough for non-native English speakers.
• I will have water at hand for my talk.
• I have removed the possibility of any distractions such as anything that beeps, buzzes, or cries.
• I am proficient with the presentation technology, camera, and controls, and/or with the stage setup.
• I have a high-quality mic (e.g. you may want to consider this excellent $20 lavalier clip-on). 
• I have seeded questions for the track producer, just in case questions from the attendees are not forthcoming.

Content

• My materials are informative, interesting, and inspirational (or at least two of the three).
• My content and ideas are useful and include practical recommendations and action items.
• I have included stories, especially an opening story to draw-in the audience, and ideally a closing that ties back to that story. (Complete the arc!)
• Each slide in my presentation explains a single concept and stands on its own even without a talk-track.
• My presentation has a positive rather than overtly critical tone to it.
• Any abbreviations/acronyms that are not commonly known are spelled-out.
• I have avoided any colloquialisms that may not be commonly understood.
• My presentation includes an overview/agenda, and conclusion/summary.
• My presentation includes ways for audience members to reach me. 
• I don’t talk about myself too much, other than a very brief intro (if not introduced by the host/MC).
• I have included a bit of humor (especially the self-deprecating variety), as appropriate. 

Visuals

• The use of colors, fonts, and capitalization should be consistent and not cause the audiences' eyes to bleed. And be sensitive to the percent of the population with visual impairments and color blindness.
• The use of slide builds and animation is limited, used only for emphasis, and should not distracting.
• Font sizes are large enough to ensure words are legible to those watching on mobile devices.
• I have included easily interpreted graphics and illustrations.
• My slides include adequate whitespace.

Citations

• I have credited those whose ideas or quotes I am presenting.
• I have properly cited any illustrations or exhibits.
• I have included links to referenced and supplemental material.
• I have received permission to mention any of my customers’/clients’ activities that are not known publicly.

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