Guide for Conference Presenters
How to Present Effectively
Think about presentations you've attended in the past. Was the speaker engaging? Were the visuals appropriate? Was it well-paced? Did the audience have the opportunity to engage the speaker? Read on for a simple approach to delivering an effective presentation.
Say the Words
- Great presentations start with a great script.
- Start with an outline and identify 3-5 key points.
- Write your script using a word processor, not presentation software.
- Review and revise!
Show the Pictures
- Use relevant images to make your presentation more effective.
- Create a storyboard using your script to identify key concepts to illustrate.
- Use high quality images and avoid clip art.
- Royalty-free images are available at sites like Free Images and Creative Commons.
Text is for Take-Away
- Instead of text-heavy slides, prepare handouts or an online post for attendees to review later.
- Provide additional resources.
- Include your contact information.
- Share your slides and get tips at sites like Slideshare.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Practice your presentation for timing and polish. Your goal should be to speak 2/3 or 3/4 of the allotted time, leaving an opportunity for you to field questions from the audience.
Remember: No one minds if you end early, but running long will make it difficult for people to get to subsequent sessions on time.
Adapted from Texas Library Association Conference Committee materials.