When you think you're done, proofread the slides from a realistic distance through somewhat foggy or out-of-focus lenses. Prepare for this to turn out to be ha

When you think you're done, proofread the slides from a realistic distance through somewhat foggy or out-of-focus lenses. Prepare for this to turn out to be half way through the project. You just thought you were done :( In addition, you can also turn down the brightness if you are auditioning the slides on a computer monitor, in order to simulate projectors having a low light output. Have way more slides than you need, and pick only the best, way in advance. Keep surplus slides filed away handily in case of more detailed future presentations, or if you are well organized some of them can be used for ad-hoc Q & A sessions. Any text or images that fail readability from the back of the room because it's too small or too difficult to perceive detail, might as well be dramatically condensed into a larger font, or left off altogether. If a lot needs to be said on a particular slide, speak it out loud clearly and simply, after adequate rehearsal. Always carry spare long HDMI cables, the ones from the AV contractor are often badly worn out, I like to bring one brand new in the package. You may also benefit if you start out so the native resolution of your slide template is the exact same as the projector the AV contractor will be supplying to the event. These are not usually very high resolution, and business projectors have been pretty well standardized at lower resolution than entertainment projectors, neither one as high as many computer monitors these days. There may also be a difference in the resolution of projectors used in different sized rooms, with the bigger rooms having the higher-dollar equipment. If you can't get the exact info in advance from the AV contractor beforehand, see if there is any contractor or AV rental group that knows about this and can inform you of what you are likely to be encountering in the local area. Also make sure your battery can last as long as the presentation in case that stage wiring fails too. Be bold whether you have a microphone or not, you need to be loud enough to be heard, so it really works to always pretend there is no mic and have strong enunciation. If there is a mic and it's too loud then, turn it down or move away from it, don't hold back instead. Given the same material, holding back is just not as engaging. It can also be good to look at a different audience member, or at least in a different direction toward the audience, while talking about each different slide, and then look away from them to the screen to draw their attention to it. It's possible to have a quite technical presentation without a pointer this way if you plan for it. Did I mention auditioning your material and a full dress rehearsal? You decide how much you like being the star of the show up on stage without any rehearsal.