Giving Conference Talks
Over the past few years, peers have increasingly asked me for advice on giving talks at conferences. I’m writing down my thoughts in hopes that others can benefit from my experience, much like I’ve learned from others before me.
When I began presenting, I relied heavily on a template I’ve refined over the years. As I’ve given more talks, I’ve noticed recurring themes in what I wanted my audience to take away. The way I design my slides is directly tied to ensuring these themes are clear and impactful. My approach has been inspired by many sources, but most notably Jake Wharton’s The Conference Speaker Investment. [[1]] Some of the principles I’ll outline here are adapted from his guidance because it’s still very practical and effective.
Finding Inspiration
Beyond Jake there are a ton of speakers who have inspired me over the years. Their charisma, storytelling, and stunning visual aids all shaped how I present. Pay attention to what you observe other speakers do well—and what they don’t. Learning from both will refine your approach. And if you get the chance, talk with your role models. Odds are they would be more than happy to open up about their experiences and challenges.
Understanding the Audience’s Mindset
Imagine attending a technical conference for the first time. You’ve registered, grabbed a coffee, and decided to check out some talks. You’re browsing the schedule, spotting a few titles that look interesting, and you walk into one of the sessions. You may not know the speaker or be fully familiar with the topic, but you’re curious.
This is the typical audience mindset when they enter your session. Your job as a speaker is to engage and relate to this curiosity. Whether they are beginners or have a passing familiarity with the subject, you want to ensure they find your talk accessible and relevant from the very start.
The Hook
Therefore your first few minutes should be dedicated to putting a hook in your audience. They will quickly decide whether they are invested in your talk or if they’ll mentally check out. Don’t waste time on too much background or trivial details—get to the point where your audience understands, “This is relevant to me!” quickly.
Some helpful questions to answer for the audience:
- "How does this apply to me?"
- "Will I be able to try out what they're talking about today?"
- "Is this person credible? Do they know what they're talking about?"
Finding Inspiration
I’ve been inspired by numerous speakers over the years, not just for their technical depth, but for how they present ideas with charisma, storytelling, and stunning visual aids. Watching these great talks has shaped how I present. Pay attention to what other speakers do well—and what they don’t. Learning from both will refine your approach.
Readability Matters
Design your slides with the back-half rows in mind. Use the largest font possible to ensure everyone can see. Avoid text-heavy slides; instead, ask yourself if an illustration or video would communicate your point more clearly. And be mindful of the layout. Sometimes, using every bit of screen space can lead to important content being blocked by the audience’s heads. Designing with these constraints often improves clarity and keeps your audience more engaged. I set a guideline in Keynote roughly 1/3 from the bottom and attempt to keep important content above that.
Progress Markers
For longer, in-depth talks, it helps to provide progress markers. These serve as checkpoints for your audience, helping them understand where they are in the presentation and what’s coming next. Ideally, this aligns with the agenda you set out at the start. Progress transitions are especially useful when shifting between different concepts, ensuring the audience stays with you.
If your talk involves solving multiple sub-problems, wrap up each section with a summary before moving on.
Ruthlessly Cut
If your talk has more than 100 slides or runs close to the full time limit during practice, consider cutting content. Not every slide is critical. Remember, the audience won’t leave with the same depth of understanding as you—they’ll take away key insights, ideas, and inspiration. Focus on those, and cut what’s unnecessary.
Be cautious with animations. Too much movement can distract the audience away from you and your content. Try to only use animation to clarify connections between ideas and keep it subtle.
If you find yourself wanting to tangent in your explanation, consider whether it is a necessary technical hurdle, or is it something that could be skipped in favor of a more streamlined story?
Speaking
Once you get on stage, make sure your audience knows who you are. Even if your talk's content is amazing, one of your goals should be that the audience remembers you.
Rehearse enough that your delivery feels natural and you’re confident in your timing. This will help you stay on track and avoid running over, while making your talk more fluid and engaging. It is a lot easier to understand a speaker who talks at a comfortable pace than one who is rushed.
Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the most impactful recommendations:
- Understand your audience’s mindset: They’re curious but not deeply familiar with your topic. Make your content accessible and relevant quickly.
- Create a strong hook: Capture attention in the first two minutes by showing why your talk matters.
- Focus on readability: Use large fonts and avoid text-heavy slides. Opt for illustrations and videos when possible.
References
- "The Conference Speaker Investment" by Jake Wharton [[1]]
[[1]]: "The Conference Speaker Investment" by Jake Wharton https://jakewharton.com/the-conference-speaker-investment/