Having a backup plan can boost your confidence. When things go wrong, you will have the upper hand if you have a plan B in place. It is always advisable to consider possible “worst case scenarios”. What if the power trips? What if you can’t access your presentation on your laptop? What if there is no internet access? All these are a presenter’s worst nightmare and can be devastating to your confidence. It is therefore important to always be prepared with a backup plan.



Here are some hints and tips should things go wrong on the day:

Face-to-face presentation:


•    Have a set of your slides printed out. Should you need to present in the case of power failures.
•    Save your presentation on a USB flash drive as a back up
•    If possible, save your presentation on your own laptop. This is handy should the venue not have the available resources. 

Online presentation:


•    Ensure your phone is fully charged and consider using your phone as a hotspot in the event of power failures. 
•    Record your presentation in the event that your audience loses their internet connection. This is also a great way for the audience to go back to your presentation at a later stage. 
Having a backup plan is one way to ensure you are prepared and that should anything go wrong, that you will have the confidence to continue with your presentation. The way you dress when you give your presentation is also a great contributor to boosting your confidence. The section below provides you with tips to consider when dressing for the occasion – your presentation!

Clothes for a presentation

As mentioned, what you wear on the day of your presentation can boost your confidence.  Your presentation outfit should look professional but be breathable, light and comfortable. Avoid shoes that hurt your toes or could cause you to stumble, especially if you need to walk up steps on to a podium. Ideally, you want to choose a professional dress or suit that makes you feel confident.
This video has some food for thought about what to wear to a presentation. 

Additionally, other tips to consider when dressing for your presentation include the following:

•    Avoid tight or uncomfortable clothes. Avoid baggy, ill-fitting tops or pants. It is vital that you are comfortable
•    Avoid clothes that make you self-conscious. This can impact your confidence
•    Dress for the audience and venue
•    Avoid wearing distracting accessories or jewelry
•    Consider wearing something that holds a lapel microphone

Now that you have all the necessary guidelines on how to prepare for and conduct yourself during your presentation, let’s have a look at how you should handle the questions that could be posed to you after the presentation.


Last modified: Monday, 30 October 2023, 3:01 PM