Its not outside the realm of possibility that your PowerPoint slides may not work, or that your memory card will fail or that your microphone wont pick up your voice clearly. Be aware of Murphys Law, and prepare accordingly.
Youll need to research and practice your topic, as well as get familiar with the presentation space and its facilities.
Identify your audience.
One of the most important aspects of a successful conference presentation is understanding your audience. By identifying their interests, what they already know about your topic, and what they hope to gain from your presentation, you can craft a message that will resonate with them.
Identifying your audience may sound like a basic concept, but it is often overlooked. If you are presenting to a group of educators, for example, you will likely find that they have some background knowledge on the subject matter. Similarly, if you are speaking to researchers, you will probably find that they have a higher level of expertise.
Knowing your audience also helps you determine what language to use. If your audience isn’t familiar with industry jargon, you might need to explain certain terms.
Create an outline.
Conference presentations offer an opportunity to share months or even years of work with peers. It can also be a great way to increase your visibility and open doors to future collaborations.
However, preparing and giving a conference presentation can be intimidating, especially when you are exposed to the intimate details of your research in such a public setting. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to make your presentation more effective and engaging for your audience.
It is essential to identify your audience and tailor your presentation to their level of knowledge and interests. This will help you keep your audience engaged and will ensure that they understand your key points. It is also important to practice your talk and rehearse it out loud before you present.
Create a flowchart.
Whether you are an established researcher or a student, presenting at a conference can be an important opportunity for your career. Getting your presentation to stand out can lead to new collaborators, increased citations for your publications, or, for students, the chance to win a scholarship.
It is essential to prepare a conference presentation outline that helps you structure your ideas and ensures that they flow smoothly. You can use sticky notes, paper planners or online tools to create a visual outline of your presentation.
Even the most experienced presenters can feel nervous when they are presenting at a conference. Your body language can also play a big part in how well your presentation is received, so be sure to practice. Ensure that you dress appropriately for the occasion and don’t distract the audience by fidgeting or using hand gestures inappropriately.
Create a PowerPoint.
A PowerPoint slideshow is a visual tool that supports your presentation and enhances your message. It is easy to create a bad PowerPoint but a good one can add a lot of value to your talk.
Make sure that the visuals you include are simple and relevant, enhancing rather than distracting your audience from your message. Avoid using too many colors or excessive images; these can be visually overwhelming to your audience. Also ensure that the text on your slides is large enough to read.
Finally, always be prepared for technical failure; equipment can fail at the most inconvenient times, so save your presentation multiple ways (on a hard drive, in the cloud, on email, etc). It is also a good idea to print out a copy of the slides for use in case of an emergency.
Prepare for the Q&A session.
During a conference presentation, the Q&A session is an opportunity to engage with your audience and clarify any areas of confusion from your research. However, it can also be a nerve-wracking and unnerving experience for speakers.
One way to prepare for this portion of your conference presentation is to anticipate questions beforehand. This will help you avoid having to answer questions that aren’t related to your research. It’s also a good idea to include a slide with your contact information so that the audience can reach out after the presentation to ask any additional questions.
Providing effective answers to conference presentation questions will further engage your audience and demonstrate your expertise. By taking the time to prepare for the Q&A session, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression on your audience.