Hasty Briefsbeta

My tips on giving technical talks

2 days ago
  • #technical-talks
  • #public-speaking
  • #presentation-tips
  • Talk about subjects you're interested in to ensure engagement and enjoyment for both you and the audience.
  • Use inclusive language and avoid words that may alienate or trivialize, such as 'guys' or 'master'.
  • Limit jokes unless they are universally uplifting and avoid cultural references that may not be understood by all.
  • Make slides with large fonts, minimal text, and good contrast for visibility, especially in large rooms or with projectors.
  • Include social media handles on slides for audience reference and provide a final slide with contact information and slide access.
  • Prepare for technical issues by having offline backups of slides and demos, and avoid live demos if possible.
  • End talks with a 'thank you' and let organizers handle Q&A to avoid audience confusion.
  • Arrive prepared with necessary tech adapters, charged devices, and offline copies of presentations.
  • Use presentation remotes for mobility and avoid laser pointers which may not be visible to all.
  • Choose microphones wisely based on the type of talk and venue, and avoid playing sound from your laptop unless arranged.
  • Celebrate after giving a talk as a reward for your effort and preparation.
  • Rehearse talks to estimate duration and improve focus, possibly recording yourself for timing.
  • Avoid looking at the screen behind you during presentations to maintain audience engagement and audio clarity.