Tip 8: Choose the timing of your presentation
Sometimes you will have no control over the timing of your presentation. However, if you are given the option, ask to speak at a time when the audience will be fresh. They will be more apt to listen to you, follow along with your stories, appreciate your humour, and engage with your presentation. This receptive time is generally at the beginning of an event, or in the morning.
Avoid speaking in the afternoon when the audience will have had lunch and will be naturally sleepy. It is more difficult to engage with such an audience. It is difficult enough to give a great presentation – why increase the challenge by having to lift the audience out of the doldrums?
At events such as conferences which may be held over several days, try to speak on the first day when delegates are naturally fresh, enthusiastic and excited. Avoid speaking in the afternoon of the last day when the audience is tired and everyone is thinking about the journey home!
Finally, if you know there will be a speaker who is extremely prominent or popular, it is best to avoid speaking immediately before that speaker as people will be eager for your presentation to finish. Likewise, avoid speaking immediately after that speaker as it may be difficult to follow in his or her wake.
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