Congratulations! You’ve just confirmed your first public speech and you’re going to change the world with your amazing message. What do you do next? This brief article will provide a checklist of everything that you’ll need to be well-prepared for your presentation. First off, you’re probably going to have to make some travel arrangements, so be sure to double-check with the event organizers about special rates with local hotels. After that:
Pre-Event Preparations:
- Group Insights: Research the group’s interests, demographics, and preferences.
- Value-Driven Presentation: Adjust your presentation to provide value to those interests above all else.
- Interview Group Leaders: If possible, briefly interview group organizers by email to gain any extra insights you may need to align your message.
- Personal Goals: Outline your presentation goals to stay focused and achieve your desired outcomes.
- Event Details: Confirm the event date, time, location, duration, and expected audience size.
- Equipment Needs: Confirm if microphones, projectors, screens, and any other equipment that will be available. Confirm if you can bring any equipment that you might need.
- Attendee List: Request the attendee list, if possible, to connect with participants after the event.
- Handout Policy: Clarify the group’s policy on handouts and consider providing them to add value.
- Introduction: Discuss your preferred introduction with the event organizer.
- Backup Equipment: Confirm if there will be any backup equipment in case of technical issues. (even if there’s isn’t any, at least you will know what you’re working with.)
- Requests: Politely request any necessary adjustments to enhance your presentation.
- Press Release: Depending on the size and importance of the event, you may choose to send a press release about your upcoming engagement to relevant media outlets, bloggers, and social media influencers.
Event Day:
- Camera: Bring a camera or photographer to capture the event in action.
- Backup Materials: Carry extra copies of your presentation on different devices and backup bulbs for your projector.
- Change of Clothes: Pack a change of clothes in case of spills or accidents.
- Dress Professionally: Choose attire that exudes professionalism and comfort.
- Written Introduction: Bring a written personal introduction for the event organizer.
- Handouts: Have extras of your handouts (evaluation sheets, if necessary and okay’d by organizers.)
- Networking: Arrive early to network, meet attendees, and learn their names.
Post-Event Leverage
- Data Entry: Enter new contacts into your database from the event. (If the organizer doesn’t provide any audience data, one way to collect data is to include a QR code on any handouts you may use.)
- Personalized Thank You: Send handwritten thank-you notes to the organizer and key contacts.
- Press Release Follow-Up: Issue a press release with a photo from the event. (If you didn’t send one before, and if the presentation has newsworthy points.)
- Follow-Up: Contact those who requested a free consultation or expressed interest in your presentation.
- Incentive Fulfillment: Send any promised special reports or incentives within 24 hours.
- Mail Follow-Up: Send a thank-you letter via mail within 5 days of the event.
- Additional Follow-Up: Follow up with letters or emails at two weeks and 30 days after the event.
- Monthly Follow-Up: Implement a monthly follow-up email system to stay connected with contacts.
There you have, it everything you need to ensure you’re fully prepared for your speech.
To download a handy PDF of this checklist, CLICK HERE.
