Your presentation is hit by unexpected technical glitches. How do you keep your flow intact?
When technical issues strike during a presentation, maintaining your composure is key to keeping your audience engaged and your message clear. Here’s how you can handle it:
- Stay calm and composed: Take a deep breath and reassure your audience that you’ll get things back on track quickly.
- Have a backup plan: Keep printed slides or a PDF version accessible on another device to continue without interruption.
- Engage with your audience: Use this time to take questions or share anecdotes related to your topic, keeping the momentum going.
How do you handle technical glitches during presentations? Share your thoughts.
Your presentation is hit by unexpected technical glitches. How do you keep your flow intact?
When technical issues strike during a presentation, maintaining your composure is key to keeping your audience engaged and your message clear. Here’s how you can handle it:
- Stay calm and composed: Take a deep breath and reassure your audience that you’ll get things back on track quickly.
- Have a backup plan: Keep printed slides or a PDF version accessible on another device to continue without interruption.
- Engage with your audience: Use this time to take questions or share anecdotes related to your topic, keeping the momentum going.
How do you handle technical glitches during presentations? Share your thoughts.
-
Remember this. You are the difference maker. You are the main attraction. Any piece of additional media or equipment is there to enhance your speech but YOUR SPEECH should be the focus. Going into every presentation make sure your talk is sound. Don't over-rely on graphics if possible and ideally have an alternative version of your talk, one you can pull off without any bells and whistles. Now if we're talking virtual problems: make sure you have triple back ups of your internet connection and equipment and add another back up just in case.
-
Let's stop pretending that your audience is "here for you as long as you still run the room." The reality is, technical glitches make you look unprepared and frankly that's going to disinterest some of if not all of your audience. You need to problem solve instead of ignore the issue. I just taught webinar that was plagued with glitches due to bad internet connection on my end. Instead of trying to stumble upwards to success, I recognized that this presentation was at the mercy of my router. I made it clear to my audience what was happening, so we took a break. During this time, I emailed the content to each person and instead did the class as a "Follow along" instead of a "Watch me present". Ended up being massively successful.
-
Stay calm and adaptable. Engage the audience with storytelling, humor, or open discussion while troubleshooting. I believe in adding some quick contests. If possible, continue without visuals by summarizing key points. Keep the focus on your message, not the glitch, and smoothly transition back once resolved. Confidence and composure will keep your flow intact.
-
Don’t let a technical hiccup derail your presentation! 🚨 Stay cool under pressure and keep the audience engaged with these 3 power moves: Stay Calm and Address It Lightly: Acknowledge the issue with a smile and perhaps a touch of humor—"Looks like even technology needed a coffee break!" This keeps the mood light and shows you're in control. 😎✨ Shift to Plan B: Always have a backup—like printed slides, a summary, or even just talking through key points. Your knowledge and confidence will shine even without the tech. 🔄📄 Engage the Audience: Turn the glitch into an opportunity to connect. Ask questions, share an anecdote, or encourage discussion until the issue is resolved. Interaction keeps the energy alive. 🤝🎤
-
My take? You are the presentation. Had this happen mid-way through an important retailer presentation recently – tech just gave up. But here’s the truth: slides don’t sell the story, you do. The deck, the visuals, all that stuff – they’re just tools. Helpful? Sure. Essential? Not really. If you know your content, believe in your message, and can connect with your audience, you can absolutely carry it. Improvise, move on, tell the story you came to tell. Most of the time, the audience has no idea what they’re “missing” – unless you let the panic show. Best backup? Be prepared enough not to need one.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Conference SpeakingHow can you avoid relying on slides and notes during a presentation?
-
Presentation SkillsHow can you manage your time when multiple speakers are presenting?
-
Presentation SkillsHow can you finish your presentation on time?
-
Conference SpeakingHow can you design a clear and concise presentation without leaving out important details?