Got a presentation on a bigger stage than usual?
There is one additional thing you must do.
A full rehearsal.
In the room.
Under as close to exact conditions as humanly possible.
Presenting at a larger event is not easy – there are many things you need to get right.
The difference between practice and the real thing is far more pronounced than for most other presentations.
For that reason, here at Speak With Impact, we always take that one extra step with clients.
It is worth repeating.
A full rehearsal.
In the room.
Under as close to exact conditions as humanly possible.
The one thing you cannot replicate exactly is the full audience, but almost everything else is possible.
Although last time around, the waiting staff all stopped what they were doing and became a substitute audience.
Please do not skip this step.
Build a clear slot for this into your timetable.
Here are some examples of the benefits we have found from doing this.
“The lights are too bright – I can hardly see.”
The speaker will not be surprised when it happens later on – it is easier to adjust.
“My A4 size notes don’t fit on the lectern.”
The speaker can alter the sizing of their notes.
“My mouth is dry in this atmosphere.”
The speaker can put some water in an accessible place, so they don’t need to carry it onstage.
“This black-tie outfit feels stuffy.”
The speaker gets used to this sensation and it feels a lot less awkward later on.
“The stage is uneven.”
Maybe it can be fixed – or at least the speaker is ready for it.
In all cases, the speech will always be more intense than the practice.
However, for the big stage the difference can be significant.
So remember…
Do a full rehearsal under the closest conditions to reality that you can.
This will remove some problems entirely.
And reduce the impact of other problems.
For more guidance on all things to do with presenting – check out the following article on getting your ‘close’ right…
