Tip 202: Preview your slides

After checking that you are able to transfer your presentation files onto the computer, you must take some time to preview your presentation in the actual room where you will be delivering it.

There are several different versions of operating systems and presentation software, so you want to make sure that your files are compatible with the venue’s hardware and software. Even though you will have checked for compatibility beforehand, you can never be certain of compatibility until you reach the venue and preview your slides.

Further, the features of the room are difficult to predict beforehand. It may be that the edges of your slides are cut off when projected onto the screen or that your colour scheme becomes warped by the projector’s brightness and contrast settings or the room’s ambient lighting.

This is the only time you will have to make any last-minute changes to your presentation - there is still time to change fonts and colours or to add or remove slides. If you have taken some digital photos of the venue or city, now is your last chance to insert them into your presentation.

Finally, run through the presentation and make sure the slide transitions and animations are working as intended. If your presentation requires animation for the intended impact, it will be embarrassing if you find out during the presentation itself that the venue’s computer does not handle the animation as you expected.

"Wow! This guide and handbook made a huge difference to my delegates at my online workshop. They loved everything we did. Thanks to Dr Mandar Marathe's book I developed my presentation skills quickly whilst enjoying all the new concepts and ideas this book offers in a very easy to read and practical manner.
 
All professional speakers, trainers and sales people should get a copy of this book!"
- Ash Ali, Online Marketing Expert & Founder of Sandalstore.co.uk

Table of contents
(Click to view sample pages from the book)

Introduction
About the author
How to use this book
Who needs this book?
Chapter 1: Planning for your presentation
Chapter 2: Preparing the delivery
Chapter 3: Preparing effective PowerPoint® slides
Chapter 4: Preparing a handout
Chapter 5: Rehearsals
Chapter 6: Just before the presentation
Chapter 7: Last-minute tips for confidence
Chapter 8: Delivering the presentation
Chapter 9: 'Any questions?'
Chapter 10: After the presentation
Chapter 11: Final Thoughts

About the author

Dr Mandar Marathe graduated from Southampton University with an honours degree in Biomedical Sciences in 1998 and a Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1999. He holds advanced qualifications in Emergency Medicine and in Toxicology.

He juggles a career as a doctor working in Accident & Emergency, while raising three children with his wife, writing books, and endlessly surfing the internet looking for the next "big thing".

With almost two decades of public speaking experience in both academic and professional arenas, he is today an enthusiastic and popular educator who is well qualified to share his ideas about what makes a successful speaker and a powerful presentation.

Dr Mandar Marathe is the course director for the FCEM Course.