Technical hiccups in a new set up are a very common thing. Key - Do not panic! Fix the issue or allow someone with technical expertise to resolve it, while you can continue to converse with your audience. Its critical you do not leave your audience in blank space when they are resolving the issue. Small talk or some idea about your topic can be a discussion point.

Preparation is key: Always have a backup plan. Keep your presentation on a USB drive, in the cloud, and on your local device. Arrive early: Set up and test all equipment well before your presentation time. Know your tech: Familiarize yourself with the equipment you'll be using. This includes projectors, microphones, and any software. Have offline alternatives: Prepare handouts or printouts of key slides in case of complete tech failure. Stay calm: Your audience will follow your lead. If you remain composed, they're more likely to be patient and understanding. Engage the audience: If issues persist, use the opportunity to interact with your audience. Ask questions or encourage discussion related to your topic.

When technical roadblocks hit during your presentation, staying calm and adaptable is key! First, always have a backup plan—whether it’s printed materials or an offline version of your slides, being prepared will help you stay on track. If issues arise, turn it into an opportunity to engage your audience. A quick Q&A session or a discussion can keep everyone engaged while you sort out the problem. Most importantly, maintain your composure. Your calmness not only reassures the audience but also helps you think clearly and steer things back on course. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about how you handle the unexpected! 🚀 #PublicSpeaking #Adaptability

This happens more often than event producers would like to admit. So plan for it. Practice what you will do if slides go down. Practice what you will do if speakers notes don’t appear. Practice what you will do if the mic doesn’t work. Then if one of these scenarios happens, stay call and activate the plan you practiced. Remember, in most situations the audience will have some level of forgiveness for technical problems. Remember they are humans and you are human. Make a joke, break the 4th wall and talk to them directly while issues are being worked out, ask them to be part of the adaptation if issues persist.

⏪ BEFORE: Always have a backup plan going into any talk, especially if you’re planning to use or do something you haven’t done before! ▶️ DURING: Adapt and overcome. During your presentation is not the time to troubleshoot or resolve the issue, it’s time to pivot to the next best alternative. (Ex if you were planning to use an audience engagement tool like Kahoot or Mentimeter, and it isn’t working, switch to asking for a show of hands or having them write it down and hold it up) ⏩ AFTER: After you pivoted and overcame the challenge during the talk, THEN it’s time to do a post mortem and figure out what the issue was and how to prevent it from happening again. This is KEY to making sure it won’t happen again!