How do you cope with technical issues or glitches during your online conference sessions?

Of course, we all try and check the equipment before we start, arriving early enough to do this is key to making sure you can. However, the best checked equipment can suffer a glitch, so you also have to be prepared to go natural, and speak from the podium without powerpoint or sophisticated production effects. You should make sure you have some notes just in case.

If an event is using a platform that's new to you, have the organizer set up a test or sandbox session where you can verify everything works correctly, ideally at least a day or two before your presentation.

Effectively communicating with event organisers can sometimes be a matter of self-confidence. It may give the impression that you are bothering them, but in reality, you are simply ensuring the smooth execution of the session. It is essential to compile a comprehensive list of inquiries and ideally share it with them before they become overwhelmed. However, if you must call, it is crucial to be precise about your requirements. Wait until you have organised your needs into a concise message before making a phone call or sending an email, as excessive communication attempts may not be well received.

Nevertheless, even the most meticulously inspected equipment can encounter unexpected malfunctions, which means you must be ready to adapt and deliver your presentation from the podium without relying on PowerPoint or elaborate production effects. It is advisable to have some notes prepared as a backup plan in case such circumstances arise.

Continuous learning from our experiences is a given, but approaching such situations with professionalism enhances our ability to learn and effectively address any potential challenges. This relates back to the earlier advice about creating a checklist and anticipating potential issues. It is crucial to have the confidence to prioritise what is best for yourself, your presentation, and the overall success of the event.

Keep calm and carry on is an overused phrase but it really applies to dealing with technology fails. Take the opportunity to show the audience your human side. Fallibility is ok and how you deal with a setback says more about what you’re like as a person and a professional. So technological breakdowns will happen. Own them.

We've all seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in online presentations over the past few years. In March 2020, it was excusable for online presenters to have some rough edges or technical challenges as many folks were learning new platforms. As I write this in mid-2023, there's no excuse for a professional online presentation to show that the presenter was ill-prepared. You owe it to the host and the attendees to have your technical presentation skills be on-part with the expertise that you're presenting. Dazzle them with your technical competence!