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.