In this day and age, it can be difficult to get your company’s message across to a target audience. Business events offer an excellent opportunity to make debut appearances, establish yourself as a thought leader, and generate exposure for your brand. At an industry-tailored conference, you stand a greater chance of reaching the end users if you are part of the agenda — but there’s more to it than grabbing the speaker slot. You can put your business on the map with a well-executed speech at a conference. But for many people, including experienced speakers, presenting at a business event is like walking a tightrope. But fear not! To ensure your speech goes smoothly, we’ve put together 8 expert conference speaker tips that will help you get the most out of your speaker slot.
Before the Conference:
Send a High-Quality Photo
The conference provides a great opportunity to highlight your work and expertise, but first, attendees will be influenced by promotional materials that include your photograph. Hence, to gain maximum benefit from the presentation at the conference, it is best to send organizers a high-quality photo of yourself. When choosing a photograph for the marketing materials, consider selecting one that will make a favorable first impression.
As a general rule, it is best to send a high-quality, well-composed, and brightly lit professional photograph. Poor-quality images will look unprofessional when used on the agenda, the conference website, or in social media articles. Not only will your photos be seen by prospective customers and business partners, but they will also be a visual representation of your work. Thus, the quality of photographs and other images used in printed materials and online should meet the professional standards of the conference.
Leave Time for Questions
Conference organizers typically set strict time limits for speakers to present their material. Although it is always a good idea to prepare a slightly shorter presentation, which will allow you to address audience questions afterward. For example, if a presentation is scheduled to last 30 minutes, it is recommended to prepare a 25-minute presentation and allow at least 5 minutes for questions. Leaving time for audience interaction after a speech can help you forge valuable connections with potential clients and business partners. Keeping your presentation slightly shorter will also help ensure smooth and concise delivery and prevent you from losing the audience’s attention. Hence, a clear and organized presentation will help you get your point across and impress your audience.
Request a High-Resolution Logo
If you would like the conference organizer’s logo to appear in your presentation, please request it directly from the conference producers. Using a logo downloaded from the internet or taken from the company’s website may result in an image with poor resolution. Thus, to ensure that your presentation materials have a professional look, you should obtain high-quality images of the logo. Speakers should use high-resolution images in their presentation slides to meet the conference’s professional standards.
Write an Insightful Professional Bio
Conference organizers often include speakers’ biographical information in the agenda, so make sure to take full advantage of this opportunity. It is crucial to draft an engaging and informative biography to help conference attendees get to know you personally and professionally before the event. End users will often research the speakers before the conference, seeking information about the presenter’s company and their topic of expertise. Thus, it is crucial to write a 500-to 700-word biography highlighting your proudest achievements, education, and professional experience. You should think of your conference bio as your business card; the information presented there should be a clear and informative snapshot of your professional background.
Presenting Virtually? Prepare Your Equipment
While presenting online will never replace the excitement of delivering a speech in person, it is possible to engage your audience and get their full attention by making a few adjustments. When you plan to deliver your speech online, it is important to use good microphone and headphones. Before your presentation, run a test on your devices to ensure that everything works smoothly and that you are happy with your computer’s performance. While presenting, you should also pay attention to your surroundings to prevent the audience from being distracted. Make sure the background of your video is uncluttered, with no visible signs of disorganization. Moreover, when making a presentation, it is a good idea to be interactive with your audience by asking questions and encouraging discussion at the end of your speech.
During the Conference:
Engage Your Audience with a Q&A Session
Prepare to answer some questions after your presentation. Once you have delivered the message about your company’s products and services, attendees will be interested in learning more about what you have to offer. Also, industry-tailored business events attract people who are already familiar with the field, so their questions tend to be more specific than those asked at general conferences. Hence, prepare for the flood of questions and know how to respond in a confident and professional manner. Overall, initiating a discussion will help engage your audience and make your presentation more memorable.
Be Active
Be sure to take an active role and make the most of your time during an event. Do not hesitate to work the crowd, meet new contacts, and network with as many attendees as possible. Business events often provide valuable opportunities for professional growth, so take advantage of them! During the conference, ask questions to other speakers, exchange ideas with delegates during networking sessions, and make time to visit exhibitor booths. Networking at business conferences is essential to making new contacts and finding future opportunities; hence, being approachable and energetic will help you build long-lasting relationships with other attendees.
Q&A: What to do When You Don’t Know the A
Attendees might ask you a trick question that you might not be able to answer offhand. In situations of uncertainty, it is best to be straightforward and say that you cannot provide an immediate answer. Please indicate that you will confer with your colleagues and send the answers to the specific questions via email. This will help you cultivate authentic relationships with the delegates that are founded on transparency and trust. Additionally, following up with an individual after the conference will foster future communication.