[VIDEO] – Timing tips for your next presentation - Between 2 Speakers
Managing your speaking time is easier than you think.
An important (and often overlooked!) component of presentation is timing. How do you account for your speaking time when there are so many other components involved in your speech?
We’ve got you covered with a few quick tips. On this episode of Between Two Speakers, Randy and I tackled how to prepare so you don’t go over time.
See the video below or scroll down for a few tips.
Our Top 4 Tips:
Pay close attention to the time
Your audience has places to be after your speech, so there is nothing worse than going over your time. Not only is it important to know the time limits, but also how you are going to be held to it. Don’t hope that you will end perfectly on time, but rather put the work in to prepare for the ‘how’. Keep your phone nearby or locate a wall clock to keep yourself on track.
Limit chit-chat
It’s your stage – take it! You only have a few seconds to convince the audience that they are interested in what you have to say. They don’t need to hear “Good morning” for the third time in 30 minutes. Instead of making small talk with the audience, dive right into your presentation.
Practice makes perfect
…but not too much. Over-practicing can actually be just as bad as not practicing at all. Prepare by printing out your slides, and marking where you should be at each one. Or create a run-of-show detailing what you will speak about at 5- or 10-minute intervals. (See Randy’s example, below)
Memorize the opening and closing
These are the two strongest parts of your presentation, so they should be solid. Memorizing the closer also gives you a foolproof place to land in the event that time slips away and you have 30 seconds left to finish the presentation.
Randy times out his webinars ahead of time. It works!
About The Author
Hi! I’m Marianna. I make the process of public speaking easier for my clients. I help with everything from preparation to managing anxiety and nerves to speaking with strength and confidence. Need some coaching, or a workshop? Get in touch.
