Here's how you can overcome technical difficulties during a presentation as a public speaker.

Use humor! Tech difficulties are a shared common experience and everyone knows how awful it feels. So instead of trying to get the presentation back running, make a joke and continue. What was life like before Powerpoint?

If your presentation is going to be online, take advantage of a rehearsal session. The last thing you want to do is show up and not understand the basics of a particular platform.

I always recommend that you do a tech run with the client prior to your engagement so that you can familiarize yourself with the technology and always do a few practice runs on your own, and have your phone right next to you in case of anything.

It is different if you are using your clients software or your own, if I lead a workshop I try to always recommend my client to use my zoom or zoom, just because I am more familiarized with it's features vs running it on google meets or teams.

Typically if you are presenting your camera may slow down but your voice and slides won't and so that way it is important to have backup slides or something to show in case your camera stops working.

There is a reason why podcasting is so popular, your tone of voice and ability to help your audience visualize and be engaged is super important in case your wifi slows down and all you have is your voice.

This is one of the most important aspects of public speaking. Too often we become overly reliant upon our technology and it’s incredibly awkward when something malfunctions. Having your talking points printed out is a huge bonus, and if you have relative stories to add that’s another win! Storytelling is an art in and of itself without requiring visual aids.

It's different on a live stage and online. If on stage, tech is a tool. Be ready and able to give the talk without it. Have your notes printed and bring some props or images to show on stage (make a joke about going back to basics with them), set up a linktree landing page or some other easy access page for people to get to on their phones and send them there for engagement. Think before tech. The oral tradition of presentation has been around a lot longer.

Anticipate that there may be tech issues. And if one occurs, embrace it. Resist the urge to get frustrated and make excuses or assign blame. Acknowledge it and keep moving. If you have prepared your presentation the right way, losing your PowerPoint or even having a mic issue should not take you off your game. Adjust and give your audience the best of who you are.

Help! In case of emergency, having multiple ways to call in the troops is key. I recently ran into trouble on a platform and fortunately had access to the production team's Slack channel, the producer's email, cell phone and LinkedIn. I didn't wait but shamelessly cycled through them all until I got help. P.S. My biggest tech issue was not being able to get onto the virtual stage for a talk called "Terrible Tech Talks: Making Your Tech talk Better." I usually start with a story of a big speaker fail; this time I did a live demonstration!

It’s called having everything you need to get it done. Your own 30ft. HDMI cords and adapters. Your own laser clicker. Your own long extension cord and multi-outlet. Your own dedicated presentation charger for BOTH of your laptops you brought. Your OWN two dedicated USB’s with files copied nicely on both. Your own wireless mics. What is that, $500 and another bag? Think of the opportunity you lose when you depend on others for basic AV. You’re a big girl and boy! It’s not that complicated and if it is to you, ask and learn. Main principle: get wayyyyy ahead of these kinds of problems, such that the only thing that could possibly stop you is the bulb in the projector burning out. And it won’t. Invest in not letting bs stop you.