SPEAKER
GUIDELINES
Preparing Your SLIDES
All speakers are invited to provide slides to accompany their talk at the Manchester Tech Festival. If you choose not to use slides, please email us at [email protected] so we can create a holding slide for your session. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your slides are prepared and submitted correctly, maximizing their impact and ensuring a seamless presentation experience.
Timely submission and proper formatting of your slides are crucial for a smooth presentation. All slides must be submitted to [email protected] by the 21st of October 2023. This allows us to test your slides and resolve any technical issues before the conference. We also recommend bringing a copy of your slides on a memory stick as a backup.
Technical Requirements
- Software Compatibility: All slides will be played in Microsoft PowerPoint on a laptop running Windows. If you use PowerPoint for Mac, Google Docs, Keynote, or any other software, ensure compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint on Windows before sending. This avoids potential formatting issues and ensures your presentation runs smoothly.
- Resolution: Use a resolution of 16:9 for optimal display on widescreen projectors and screens.
- Video Content: If your presentation contains videos, ensure these are provided as separate files alongside your PowerPoint. This prevents playback issues and ensures that your multimedia content enhances your talk effectively.
- Custom Fonts: Embed any custom fonts to avoid formatting issues. You can do this by navigating to PowerPoint > Preferences > Output & Sharing > Save > Tick Embed fonts in the file. This ensures your slides appear as intended, regardless of the system they are displayed on.
- Large Files: For files larger than 5 MB, use WeTransfer to send them. This ensures a smooth submission process without email attachment size limitations.
Make It Accessible!
Creating accessible slides is essential to ensure all attendees can engage with your content. Although we do our best to provide an inclusive environment with additional screens and equipment, we rely on our speakers to create slides that are accessible and easy to read.
- Typeface: Use a sans serif typeface such as Helvetica or Arial. These fonts are easier to read on screens and projectors.
- Font Size: Avoid using fonts smaller than 24pt. Larger text is easier to read from a distance and ensures that key points are not missed.
- Slide Content: Keep slides simple and avoid paragraphs. Aim for no more than three main messages or ideas per slide. This helps your audience focus on your key points without being overwhelmed.
- Contrasting Colors: Use dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background to ensure readability. High contrast improves visibility, especially in varied lighting conditions. Light colours such as yellow can disappear on screens when the room is light.
Design Tips
Effective slide design can significantly enhance the impact of your presentation. Here are additional tips to consider:
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent style throughout your presentation. Use the same fonts, colors, and layout for all slides to create a professional and cohesive look.
- Visual Aids: Use images, graphs, and charts to illustrate your points. Visual aids can make complex information more understandable and memorable.
- Minimal Text: Limit the amount of text on each slide. Use bullet points or keywords instead of full sentences. This keeps your audience’s attention on your spoken words rather than reading slides.
- Whitespace: Use whitespace effectively to avoid clutter. Proper spacing can make your slides look cleaner and help emphasize important points.
Share Your Slides
Some attendees may miss your talk or want to revisit your presentation. You have the option to share your slides after the conference. If you choose to do so, submit an “audience-friendly” version of your slides with notes and any confidential information removed. This will make your slides easier to understand and more useful for those reviewing them later. Sharing your slides can also extend the reach of your ideas beyond the conference attendees.
FINAL CHECKLIST!
Before submitting your slides, run through this final checklist:
- Ensure all content is complete and free of errors.
- Test all multimedia elements, such as videos and animations.
- Double-check that all custom fonts are embedded.
- Review your slides for accessibility and readability.
- Save a backup copy on a memory stick.
By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your slides are effective, professional, and accessible. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].