What do you do if your public speaking is hindered by the potential risks of using new technology?

1 Know your tech

Before you deliver your speech, make sure you are familiar with the technology you are using. Test your equipment, software, and internet connection beforehand and practice using them in the same setting as your presentation. Check the compatibility, battery life, and backup options of your devices. If you are using online platforms, apps, or tools, learn how to use their features, settings, and troubleshooting options. You can also ask for technical support or assistance from the organizers, hosts, or moderators of your event.

3 Stay calm and flexible

If you encounter a tech problem during your speech, don't panic or apologize excessively. Instead, stay calm and flexible and try to fix the issue quickly and quietly. If you can, ask for a short break or pause while you resolve the problem. If you can't, continue with your speech as best as you can and use your backup plan or improvise. You can also use humor, storytelling, or audience interaction to keep your listeners engaged and distracted from the problem. Remember that your audience is more interested in your message than your tech, so focus on delivering it effectively and authentically.

4 Learn from feedback

After your speech, you can ask for feedback from your audience, peers, or mentors on how you handled the tech problem. You can also review your own performance and identify what went well and what could be improved. You can use this feedback to learn from your experience and improve your public speaking skills and tech savviness. You can also share your insights and tips with other speakers who might face similar challenges in the future.

5 Keep up with trends

Technology is constantly evolving and changing, and so are the expectations and preferences of your audience. To stay relevant and competitive as a public speaker, you need to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in your field and niche. You can follow blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or social media accounts that cover topics related to your industry, audience, or theme. You can also attend webinars, workshops, or courses that teach you how to use new technology effectively and creatively. By doing so, you can discover new ways to enhance your public speaking skills and make your presentation more impactful and memorable.

6 Enjoy the benefits

Using new technology can be risky, but it can also be rewarding. Technology can help you create, deliver, and share your presentation in more engaging, interactive, and accessible ways. Technology can also help you reach a wider and more diverse audience, connect with them more personally, and get more feedback and insights. Technology can also help you showcase your expertise, credibility, and professionalism as a public speaker. So don't let the potential risks of using new technology stop you from enjoying the benefits. Instead, use them as opportunities to grow and improve as a public speaker.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?