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Stage set-up tips 01. The physical set-up of your talk really
matters.

Lecterns

Notes 1
02. The key is to have as few distractions on

45%
Teleprompters stage as possible.

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No Lectern?
Lectern? 2

Comfort Connection

Notes Vulnerable

Distraction Notes?

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Avoid lecterns.

Business Profit

89,000$
Business Profit Per day

46,000$
Per day
Business Profit
Try to avoid using a lectern; if you
need the feel of having a backup, 31,000$ 3
place your notes on a lectern to the
side or back of the stage.
Business Profit Per day b
25,000$
d
Per day

e
g

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Notes
f
In hand
Have a series of small note cards

Electronic?
in your hand, just make sure they
are on a ring clip to keep them in
order.

Keep the stage clear Y

It makes for a better connection with the audience
Stick to paper!t Minimal
4
Avoid using a tablet or smartphone—

If there’s no way you can talk without a lectern in front of

there’s too much distracting scrolling
involved. h
you, make it the most unobtrusive one possible. Monica Need a lectern?
Lewinsky propped her notes on a music stand. Keep it as small and unobtrusive as
possible

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! 45% 35% V
Teleprompters Speak, don’t read
Ubiquitous in some places, they are Teleprompters and confidence screens
more of a distraction than an aid detract from a delivered speech

There’s too much temptation to read.

Avoid using
teleprompters.
5

V 25%
Confidence screens
Can be useful if you just use them to
show your slides, NOT your talk
notes
65% V
Be comfortable
Whether you have notes in hand,
confidence screens, or a minimal
lectern—just be comfortable

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Speak meaningfully
Inject variety into your talk so that
you communicate your passion for
the subject.
s

Tone
Show your passion; why does this
w 12
topic matter?
11 1
10 2 The speaker’s
Pitch voice
Keep it varied, as in normal
conversation
E 9 3 Turning information into inspiration 6
Your voice can connect, engage, motivate, and excite
your audience more powerfully than just the printed

8 4
word.

Pacing 7 5
Slow down for major points; speed up
for lighter comments
v 6

Volume
No need to shout—the microphone hears all
l

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Stand tall Don’t pace!
Prowling around like a caged tiger is a
Own the stage; stand erect and confident
distraction!

r
E

h
7
Hands Pause for effect
Use your hands and arms to naturally amplify If you do walk around, keep it varied; pause

P
whatever you are saying for effect at important points

F
Walk around
If it helps you to relax and focus, by all means
T
walk the stage Sit if you want
Some speakers sit on a stool or chair;
whatever makes you most comfortable

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130-170
That’s roughly the number of words
per minute to aim for
#

Speak naturally
01
Too slow Talk at a conversational pace.
You’ll lose the audience’s interest if
you speak too slowly
I

Don’t orate
Too fast You’re not Cicero, trying to reach the
02 8
Go too fast and the audience can’t
follow your train of thought
b crowds in the Roman forum

Use the microphone

03
Conversational
Aim for a natural, conversational
pace
0 Modern technology allows you to talk
comfortably to the back of the room

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Give your own
presentation.
Be yourself
G If it’s natural for you to walk
around, do it!

Use your body

Q Move in the way that is best for
you. 9
// Don’t try to imitate someone else Use your passion
A Let it come through in how you speak and
move
Whether you use a lectern, memorize a
Make this YOUR talk
script, or walk around the stage, the key O No-one else can deliver this talk, so be youself
thing to remember is to be yourself.

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Innovative ideas
Technology gives many options
Images
E Ultra-wide panoramic screens

Props
V Can add drama and interest

Dance?
10
P John Bohannon used a dance troupe
in a talk on superfluids

& Aromas
Could be useful in a talk about food

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Live

s interview
Can work well with the
right subject

Spoken
word c
An innovative art form

11
Dual
presenters
l Works best with good
chemistry and much Music
(
rehearsal
A soundtrack can
enhance—just make sure
it doesn’t distract

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