How do you adapt your public speaking style when faced with sudden audiovisual issues?

Know your topic. Audio/visual aids are helpful, but unless it's impossible to explain or talk about your topic without them, then just keep going. Paint that picture with your words and draw them in by talking to your audience. So many people talk to their slides instead of their audience. Also, if you purposefully regularly use minimal audio/visual aids, like I do, if they go down, it won't make much difference.

Technical issues can happen during public speaking. Here’s how to handle them: Stay Calm: Your reaction influences the audience. Stay composed. Backup Plan: Bring printed materials or memorize your presentation. Engage with the Audience: Ask questions and encourage discussion. Use Body Language: Tell stories and use gestures to communicate. Practice Without AV Support: Train to present without slides. Acknowledge the Issue Briefly: Mention the problem and move on. Use Humor: If appropriate, use a joke to lighten the mood. Flexibility and resilience are key.

Taking a deep breath and acknowledging the issue internally can prevent you from panicking or rushing through your presentation. Remember, your audience likely hasn't noticed the problem yet, and staying composed projects confidence and allows you to think clearly about how to proceed. In fact, acknowledging the issue with a touch of humor can even endear you to the audience further.

It is not uncommon to encounter audiovisual problems during a presentation. In these cases, always have a plan B, such as a printed version, or take important notes as a backup. This will give you the emotional security to continue your presentation. Even if you do not use your psychological resources, you will be able to perform without the pressure of not having these resources. If you do not have a plan B, try to include your audience in the presentation, ask questions, ask them to share similar experiences, make eye contact, use expressive body language and move around the space, if possible.

When the unexpected happens, be ready to tweak your content on the spot. Break down complex ideas into simpler points and focus on delivering a clear, concise message. Become a atmosphere changer and manage the audience and the room.

If possible, switch to a low-tech solution. Flip charts or whiteboards can be lifesavers in a pinch. You can even use markers to draw on a blank projector screen! This can turn a negative into a positive by engaging the audience in a more interactive way.

It's stressful, to say the least, when your presentation materials for a meeting with 100 attendees fail. An easy way to make sure you can go analog is to have a copy of your speaking notes. Knowing the material blind, having practiced the way you'll deliver the material and practiced without using your notes is also very helpful. In one of our more successful meetings, we had a technical failure. We turned the meeting into an open discussion with brainstorming and a sharing of best practices. It was supremely productive.

Always be prepared with a version of your presentation that relies on something other than slides. Check with the venue to see if they are equipped with learning tools like whiteboards, flip charts, easels, and markers. If not, bring your own and have them ready if the AV fails. It's much better to have those items on hand and not need them than to need them and not have them. Shifting to Plan B will happen at some point, and it isn't a time to get frustrated but a time to shine, continue engaging the audience, and make an impact. Remain calm and use the tools you have ready. You've got this!

While raising your voice is crucial, remember to maintain clarity and avoid shouting. Project from your diaphragm for a powerful, natural volume that will reach the audience even without amplification. This will also help you stay calm and collected under pressure.

Engaging with the audience is always fun and helps deepen the impact of your message while adding variety. If the AV isn't working, this is your time to up your engagement game. With the supporting slides unavailable, the entire focus is on you, which is an opportunity, not an obstacle. Depending on the venue, take this chance to leverage the space by walking around strategically, especially in a workshop setting. If you're speaking from the stage, there is still an excellent opportunity to amplify your presence with purposeful movement and appropriate body language. AV issues aren't an obstacle but a great chance to elevate your game and deepen your impact. You've got this!

When sudden audiovisual issues arise during a presentation, I adapt by focusing on engaging directly with the audience. I use humor to lighten the situation and ease any tension. Think of it like shifting from a formal presentation to a lively conversation at a party. I might introduce quick exercises or ask the audience to participate in a fun activity, an ice-breaker, turning the technical glitch into an opportunity for interaction. By encouraging involvement and keeping the atmosphere light, I ensure the audience remains engaged and entertained, while I smoothly navigate through the hiccups. This way, the focus stays on connecting with the audience despite the disruption.

This is one of the great benefits of having a structured approach like the Minto Pyramid. If you have internalized the major points to get across, the visual aids are just that... aids that you can do without if necessary. A slide can be replaced with an anecdote or a simplified chart can be drawn on a flip chart. It may not as be accurate as what you had in your visual aids, but it can get the point across just as well. Perhaps even better because people are engaged as you improvise.

I memorize my talk with specific points, I practice my talk and make sure to analyze my presentation by time management. Don’t get frustrated is the audio or visual malfunction. I know the subject matter, length of each segment and the wrap up. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

One thing that I always do is be prepared for the unexpected and always have a Plan B. In circumstances like these, it is good to engage the crowd with Q/A to understand if they are able to grasp the content or not. The technical team in the meanwhile gets some extra time and as a facilitator we get to interact on a personal level with the audience. If the issue is still not solved, the audience must be informed ~ this shows credibility and accountability. The material can later be shared through a channel. In the meanwhile, a jist of the content shall be delivered.

I really appreciate a great quote I've heard: "By failing to prepare, you're preparing to fail." Part of that preparation includes having a Plan B for when the AV goes down. While I prepare thoroughly for my presentations, I don't recite them word for word from notes. Although using note cards, a teleprompter, or other supports may work for some, I prefer to prepare enough to avoid relying on these aids. I also enjoy improvising appropriately. While my topics follow a similar thread, no presentation is exactly the same. I adjust based on the audience, their engagement, and especially if the AV goes down. Have fun! You've got this!

Faire preuve d'autodérision permettra toujours de créer 2 choses : 1. Désacraliser la perfection. Vous êtes comme tout le monde et des galères, ?a arrive. 2. De la proximité avec votre public. Les gens aiment voir que vous réagissez comme eux, que vous êtes capables d'avoir du recul et de l'humour. Il ne faut jamais hésiter à utiliser l'autodérision (à petite dose hein, n'allez pas non plus vous dévaloriser oh) pour se sortir des situations compliquées.

When sudden audiovisual issues hit during a presentation, I pivot by engaging the audience directly. I ask them about their knowledge or lived experiences related to the topic, which is like steering the conversation towards familiar ground when a planned route gets blocked. This helps me connect with them on a personal level and gauge their insights. Encouraging discussion turns a technical hiccup into a collaborative opportunity, where the audience’s input becomes the centerpiece of the session. By fostering this dialogue and adapting to their contributions, I keep everyone engaged and make the most of the unexpected interruption.

Have fun, engage the audience, and remember you were asked to present for a reason. Be confident in your abilities and the impact you're making. Don't let AV failures detract from your presentation. Reframe your perspective and see this as an opportunity to elevate your abilities, showcase your talents, and provide incredible value to the audience. You've got this

Make a joke of it - I like to say - we need to stop buying used equipment from the space station MERz - then I explain how steve Jobs had a similar problem then -if not fixed I jump into plan B

If you have prepared well and know your stuff you'll be able to pivot. The reality of speaking and presenting is that things will and do go wrong. The audience is there to listen to YOU so speak, do your best, share a joke - it helps you get out of fight or flight mode and back on track. Learn a few IT related jokes! We are all human, we all know that things can go wrong, prepare for it to go wrong and prepare to step up with plan B. Just know it's OK, and you've got this!

If the audience is the right size and you are presenting in person, why not plan the audiovisual issue from the start and skip the audiovisuals altogether for a change? I once attended a presentation training with Gene Zelazny (of "Say it with Charts" and McKinsey slides fame). He had a PowerPoint on the screen. The first thing he did was turn it off. As we stared at the blank screen, he said: "people think PowerPoint is the presentation. It is not. You are the presentation. The slides are just visual aids."