Whether stepping onto a stage to speak to 500 people at a conference center or giving a business pitch to a small team of five in a corporate conference room, one essential step in your preparation should never be skipped: a site inspection.
Do it to avoid surprises. Do it to avoid mistakes. Do it to prepare for practical as well as psychological reasons.
Practical: Familiarize yourself with the space and the available technology.
Ask key questions, such as:
- Is there a lectern, and where will your laptop go?
- Is Wi-Fi available, and how do you access it?
- Where are the power outlets? Do you need an extension cord?
- Is there a projector? How do you connect to it? Do you need a sound cable?
- Are there whiteboards or flip charts? Are markers provided?
- Where will you stand (on a stage or ground)? Where will your audience sit? Is the seating just rows of chairs, square tables, or rounds?
Psychological: Getting into the room ahead of time and knowing the lay of the land helps ease nerves. Go the day before so you can visualize the room later in your mind as you prepare. Think of the presentation as your event, and you’re the host. Owning the space makes a big difference in how you come across.
Good preparation is the key to a great presentation. A site inspection is a simple but powerful way to boost your confidence and ensure everything runs smoothly.