An added bonus of rehearsing is that you will become more comfortable with your material and the live show will not come off as a recitation of facts. This will make it easier for you to judge where to walk about and stand during your time in the spotlight. Don’t forget to test out your equipment in this room long before it’s showtime. Electrical outlets may be scarce, so you may need to bring extra extension cords. And, did you bring an extra projector light bulb? And, an extra adapter to connect your computer to the projector, right? Use a remote device so that you can change slides easily on the screen without having to be stuck behind a computer. Your slide show is just a visual aid. If no one asks a question, have a few quick questions of your own ready to ask them. This is another great way to engage the audience. For example, you may wish to revisit slide 6, which contains a wonderful picture illustrating your point. What if your projector blew a light bulb (and you forgot to bring a spare) or your briefcase was lost at the airport? Your Plan B should be that the show must go on, no matter what. Again, you should know your topic so well that you can make your presentation “off the cuff” if need be, and the audience will leave feeling that they got what they came for.
