When someone invites me to be the lecturer at their conference, they usually get a list of questions from me first. Questions that help me prepare myself for the lecture and to create the unique experience for the audience.
At first, these questions cause panic and fear among the organizers, but they soon realize these questions can help them prepare themselves better for the organization of the conference.
When preparing a presentation, it is crucial for me to know if I will have a monitor in front of me to see my slides. A good presentation depends greatly on how comfortable I feel on stage and how well I can control the flow of my speech. A monitor in front of me provides security, freedom of movement, and helps me maintain a connection with the audience.
To ensure there are no unpleasant surprises on stage, I always ask organizers the question: “Will we have a monitor?” In addition, I have several supplementary questions:
- Will I clearly see the current slide?
The monitor should be clearly visible to me, but not to the audience. - Will the next slide be visible (Presenter View)?
It’s ideal to clearly see the next slide to smoothly transition without unnecessary pauses. - Will the monitor display the remaining time (timer)?
I discuss this in more detail in the next question: “How will we know how much time we have left?” - Is the monitor set at a good angle?
I prefer monitors placed on the floor, similar to stage monitors used by musicians, because they’re always in my line of sight. They don’t obstruct the audience’s view of the stage, and the audience still can’t see the content on them.
Additionally, such floor-positioned monitors remind me of the days when I used to play concerts in halls… Ah, nostalgia!
Why is the monitor important for speakers?
Flow of presentation and narrative connection
Speakers without visibility of the next slide often pause, lose focus, and the audience easily becomes distracted. When I clearly see the next slide, I can continue seamlessly, starting a thought on one slide and perfectly concluding it with the image on the next slide, without interrupting my speech. This makes the presentation more dynamic and enjoyable to follow.
Avoiding turning your back to the audience
There’s nothing worse than a speaker repeatedly turning their back to the audience to check the slides. A monitor in front of me allows continuous eye contact with the audience while clearly viewing the presentation content.
Using notes and managing time
In ideal situations, the monitor can display Presenter View, showing notes and the next slide. Even better monitors include a timer, helping manage the presentation pace.
Practical examples
Over the years, I’ve had various experiences with monitors at conferences. Here are a few good examples:
- inOrbit conference (Portorož):
One of the best setups I’ve encountered. They provided the current slide, next slide, and a clearly visible timer. This allowed me to keep my presentation on track and manage my timing perfectly. - AllWeb conference (Tirana, Skopje):
Also excellently prepared monitors with Presenter View and timer, allowing smooth presentations. You can see how the speaker sees those monitors at the main photo. - Konverzija conference (Banja Luka):
Monitors displayed a timer and the current slide, sufficient for timing and presentation flow, though lacking the next slide.
What if there is no monitor?
If the organizer hasn’t planned for a monitor on a big stage, it’s not just a minor technical issue—it also demonstrates organizational carelessness. In such situations, it’s worthwhile giving the organizer a “mean look full of disdain” and clearly letting them know that this oversight should not have occurred. Fortunately, most major conference organizers are well aware of how important monitors are for successful presentations, so these situations are very rare.
For smaller rooms, I often use my laptop as a substitute monitor. I simply turn it toward myself and the problem is solved. This helps me maintain eye contact with the audience and ensures a smooth presentation.
My approach (quick reminder):
- Always check in advance if a monitor is available and what will be displayed on it.
- Prepare my laptop as a backup for smaller rooms.
- Check the visibility of notes and the timer and adjust the pace of the presentation accordingly.
- Use the monitor to maintain smoothness and eye contact with the audience.
Advice for organizers:
- Provide monitors that clearly display the current and next slide (Presenter View).
- Position monitors on the floor in front of the stage at an appropriate angle.
- Provide a timer displaying the remaining presentation time.
- If you don’t have monitors, clearly communicate this to speakers in advance, so they can prepare alternative solutions.
Conclusion:
A stage monitor is not merely a “technical detail”. It’s an essential tool that helps speakers deliver presentations smoothly, dynamically, and professionally. It’s worth inquiring about it in advance because the audience deserves the best from their speakers, and we deserve the best working conditions.
Every organizer who understands the importance of this detail demonstrates care for professional performance and satisfaction for both the audience and speakers. 🙂
Take a look at other questions for conference organizers, which help me prepare myself for the audience.
Also, if you want me to help you organize your event or to hire some great speakers, do no hesitate to contact me 🙂