Kill the Speaker Feedback Form

Last week I spent a couple of days at a conference for women engineers. (I was the opening keynote, talking about public speaking.) In my presentation, I dropped a couple of specific pointers, things I usually suggest to speakers to improve their presentations.

Over the rest of the conference, speaker after speaker pulled me aside to thank me and talk about how the suggestions improved their presentation.

I also talked to several of the presenters to give them pointers after I saw their talks. I could see places where a few simple changes could make a profound impact on the experience for their audiences, and obviously on the speaker's outcomes.

I’m proud of the impact of my presentation and suggestions but also now thinking about about all the thousands of speakers out there who get ratings and feedback AFTER they present but often get nothing to help them get better…BEFORE they step out on stage.

Why don't we help speakers and presenters before they present?

All too often, guidelines for speakers at industry events are centered around a big list of "don'ts".

• Don't give a sales pitch.
• Don't go over your allotted time.
• Don't read off the slides.

Very rarely are speakers offered much more than a "conference template" and a set of guidelines.

Thousands of conferences and events depend on speakers and subject matter experts as the foundational content for their event. We may say we go to events for the networking but we spend the majority of our time in the sessions. We may be stuck with speakers who have no idea that their presentation breaks some cardinal rule of good speaking, or that they could improve their slides immeasurably by slimming them down.

As an event organizer, you have a lot to do. You're responsible for everything for the shuttle buses to the coffee breaks. But maybe it is time to commit to supporting improved presentations instead of just sending disgruntled attendees to a feedback form to anonymously beat up on the speakers.

• Can you offer your speakers expert coaching?
• Do you offer a webinar or video on excellent speaking habits?
• Do you encourage your presenters to seek outside perspectives and assistance?

Speakers? I'm not letting you off the hook. This may be your first time or your 200th but you can always get better.

• Have you committed to doing a presentation in service to your audience?
• Have you created a presentation that is clear and logical in its layout?
• Have you practiced?
• Have you shown your presentation to someone else and solicited feedback, and taken that feedback?
• Have you reviewed other presentations (and speakers) on your topic to ensure you aren't just rehashing the same old/same old? Are you bringing fresh thought and perspective to the topic?

Stop trying to fix conference presentations AFTER they have been given.

Bobbie Carlton is the founder of Innovation Women, helping women learn more about public speaking and get access to speaking opportunities. She also connects event managers to awesome speakers who just happen to be women. And, yes, yes, she can help you make your presentation better.