8 tips for your speaker cue cards
You’re about to present. Some of us like it. Some of us can’t sleep anymore. Speaker cue cards are there to give you support and trust throughout your presentation. From TV presenters with years of experience to junior professionals that have to give their first presentation. Regardless of your experience, the following 8 tips will help all of us:
1. Keywords
Prevent yourself from writing down entire sentences. In essence you know what to say. Trust yourself with that. Remember that YOU are the expert on your subject.
2. Whitespace
Keep sufficient whitespace on your cards. It is calmer to the eye and will help you to easily browse through your keywords. Next to that it allows you to scribble down last-minute thoughts.
3. Speaker names
When you’re in charge of announcing or thanking speakers, then write down names. In the heat of presenting, you can easily forget the most logical things.
4. Speaker pictures
In line with the previous tip, you might also want to add [LinkedIn] portrait pictures of speakers. This way you won’t mix up names with people.
5. Slide screenshot
A tiny slide screenshot reminds you of where you are in your [PowerPoint] storyline. Plus it helps you not to forget to click through to the next slide.
6. Time indication
On paper a story is always shorter than when telling it out loud [!]. Write down your time slot per item in the top right corner. Nothing is as stressful as having to catch up time.
7. Personal presentation
Don’t hold a crumpled piece of paper, but use a carton card instead. The backside of your speaker card can carry the logo of the organisation. It’s all about that first [professional] impression!
8. Tablet alternative
A tablet, compared to carton speaker cue cards, can be a little challenging to hold and operate while you’re presenting. Especially when also holding a microphone. Cards are easier to hold, to store and to put aside throughout your presentation.
Bonus tip: use technology
In addition to the tips mentioned above, technology can also provide solutions to enhance your presentation experience. Sendsteps.ai is an AI presentation maker that allows you to engage with your audience in real-time, making your presentation interactive and more memorable. With Sendsteps.ai, you can create interactive presentations that your audience can participate in using their mobile devices, creating a more dynamic and engaging presentation. It also provides real-time feedback, allowing you to adjust your presentation as needed. With Sendsteps.ai, you can transform your presentation from a one-way communication to a two-way conversation, making it more impactful and effective. Whether you are a seasoned presenter or a beginner, Sendsteps.ai can help you deliver a more engaging and memorable presentation.
Robert Daverschot
Robert is a professional moderator, presenter and speaker coach. Robert has years of experience at home and abroad and works for a broad range of industries. He has interviewed ministers, captains of industry and even His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his dealings with the audience, he always uses Sendsteps. With it, an audience is able to voice their opinions, whereby attendees can cast votes or send in comments to speakers and panels on stage. As such, events turn into lively dialogues with everyone being able to speak up!