Poster presentations are one of the most common ways to disseminate information at meetings and conferences. Poster presentations provide space for the researcher and audience to come together for discussion and Q&A.
Below you will find information on how to give a successful poster presentation.
Below you will find some tips and tricks to help make you an effective presenter.
Eye Contact
Making eye contact is a great way to engage with your audience. Eye contact should be no longer than 2-3 seconds per person. Eye contact for much longer than that can begin to make the audience member feel uncomfortable.
Smile
Smiling lets attendees know you are happy to be there and that you are excited to talk with them about your project.
Posture
We all know that body language says a lot, so here are some things you should remember when giving your presentation.
Abbreviated Notes
Having a written set of notes or key points that you want to address can help prevent you from reading the poster.
Speak Clearly
Sometimes when we get nervous we begin to talk fast and blur our words. It is important that you make sure every word is distinct and clear. A great way to practice your speech is to say tongue twisters.
Ten tiny tots tottered toward the shore
Literally literary. Literally literary. Literally literary.
Sally soon saw that she should sew some sheets.
Avoid Fillers
Occasionally we pick up fillers that we are not aware of, such as um, like, well, etc. One way to get rid of fillers is to have a friend listen to your speech and every time you say a "filler" have that friend tap you on the arm or say your name. This will bring the filler to light, then you can practice avoiding that filler.
Manage Anxiety
Many people get nervous when they are about to speak to a crowd of people. Below are ways that you can manage your anxiety levels.
The Center for Communication Excellence can help you organize and deliver a dynamic, engaging, and organized presentation! You can schedule a one-on-one consultation (in-person or virtual) by clicking here.
They are able to help you manage public speaking anxiety, create and practice class or professional presentations, and with interviewing skills. They will also provide you with tips and feedback to present research concisely in a dynamic way.
Practice & film your presentation in a simplified high-quality studio space- no prior experience necessary. Available on both sides of campus at the main campus library, and at the health sciences library. These would also be great spaces to practice & record for projects or interviews.
All you need is a flash drive to save your video