Speaking at a conference is both exciting and rewarding—but it can also be stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Over the years, I’ve learned a few lessons that can make a big difference when delivering a talk. I’m sharing these tips to help fellow speakers feel more confident, communicate effectively, and make the most out of their stage time. Whether it’s your first conference or your fiftieth, these small details can turn a good talk into a great one.
Practice Before the Conference
Before the big day, make sure to practice your talk—ideally out loud. Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or ask a friend for feedback. Familiarity builds confidence.
Don’t Prepare Slides at the Last Minute
Create your slides well in advance. This gives you time to review and refine them a day or two before the event. Last-minute slides often lead to mistakes and missed opportunities for improvement.
Use AI and Grammarly Wisely
AI tools like ChatGPT can help you craft clear slide text, and Grammarly can fix grammatical errors. But remember – they’re just assistants. Always review the final version yourself to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Keep Slides to a Maximum of 7 Lines
Follow the “7 lines per slide” rule. When slides are overloaded, the font becomes too small, and the audience stops reading. Slides are visual aids. They are not textbooks.
Avoid Too Many Slides
Respect your time limit. A good rule of thumb is one slide per minute. Having too many slides often leads to rushing or skipping content, which looks unprofessional.
Speak Calmly and Clearly
Excitement is natural. Don’t let it push you to speak too fast. Slow down, breathe, and allow your audience time to absorb your message.
Focus on Delivering Value
Keep introductions short. The audience cares more about insights and takeaways than your biography. Prioritize the value your content provides to them.
Tricks for the Q&A Part
If the Q&A makes you nervous, prepare a few strategies. You can slightly go over your time to reduce Q&A length (though not ideal). If you don’t know an answer, then you’d better be honest. Say you’re unsure but share your educated guess or experience. Authenticity earns trust.
Don't Read from Slides
Slides are there to support your message, not replace you. Reading word-for-word makes the presentation robotic. Engage your audience. Speak to them.
Prepare Your Computer
Your laptop is your most essential tool! Treat it with care and attention before your talk. Whether you’re speaking at an online or in-person conference, make sure your operating system is updated to the latest version a day in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute, as updates sometimes take longer than expected. If it’s an online event, test your microphone and webcam to confirm that both work properly. Before you begin, close any irrelevant applications to protect your privacy and improve performance. Also, verify that your computer has enough free disk space, since low storage can slow it down. Finally, it’s always a good idea to restart your computer right before your session to ensure it performs at its best.
Capture Your Talk on Video in Advance
Many online conferences allow or even prefer speakers to submit a pre-recorded version of their talk. When this option is available, take advantage of it. Recording your talk in advance allows you to produce higher-quality audio and video, ensure everything flows smoothly, and minimize the risk of technical issues during the event. It also creates a great opportunity to interact with the audience in real time while they’re watching your talk—something that’s difficult to do when presenting live.
Delivering a great talk is about preparation, clarity, and connection. Focus on your audience’s needs, stay calm, and let your passion shine through. Every talk is a learning opportunity—so give it your best, enjoy the moment, and grow from the experience.
