Understand your presentation's context
You are not presenting in a vacuum. The context of your presentation plays a major role in how it will be received. You need to be aware of the following issues:
- Is the situation formal or informal?
- When you present, will the audience have just finished eating, drinking, working, or doing something active? Will they be tired or alert? When was the last break?
- Who will speak before you? Who comes after you? How might this affect audience reaction?
- Are you the first or last speaker of the program? The day? The morning or afternoon?
- Are you expected to take questions or leave copies of your presentation?
- How much time do you have for the presentation? Can your message be delivered in that time?
- Will the physical setting of the presentation require you to adapt your talk?
- What control do you have over the physical environment?