If your video goes on the fritz during a speech, don’t panic—make it memorable! Launch into one of your favorite stories with full dramatic flair, drawing the audience in and owning the moment. If you’ve got a handheld mic, even better! Stroll through the crowd, ask them questions about the video’s key points, and turn it into an interactive experience. And remember, always have a backup plan: keep a few “stump” stories in your back pocket, ready to hit the main themes with ease. That way, tech failure or not, you’re the one in control, delivering your message with impact.

If your video clips won't play during a presentation, you can keep the audience engaged by pivoting to a related story or anecdote that illustrates the key points you intended to convey through the clips. For example, if you were showing a video about a successful project, you might share a personal experience or a case study that highlights the same themes of teamwork and innovation. By drawing on your own insights and encouraging audience participation—such as asking questions or inviting them to share their experiences—you can create an interactive atmosphere that maintains their interest and reinforces your message, despite the technical difficulties.

Engage with the audience! Make a joke about it. Start asking people questions about the topic to create a conversation. This is a good way to let your personality shine and have fun.

Have a backup plan! Be ready to summarize or dramatize the key message from that video clip. Inject some humor into it while you’re at it. Technology is great but every now and then, it fails. A true professional is able to adapt and adjust despite potential technology glitches.

It's not if hiccups will happen, it's when. So you should plan for this type of interruption. Three things to consider: - Make sure your presentation can survive without it - Have movement activities ready to implement - Tell a story while someone else solves the tech All in all, don't panic. I make sure to keep this in mind so not to transfer that negative energy into the audience. It takes repetition to master but it's worth it. When's the last time you dealt with a tech issue during a talk or presentation and how did you handle it?