The first 2 things I do after getting on board and putting my bags in my stateroom is
- Call the activity director and tell him I am there. S/he never answers. They are really busy welcoming guests and doing a myriad other things. But I do this faithfully… leaving a message usually.
- I scout out my venue. Where am I going to be speaking? I check out the lighting, the temperature. I get on stage and look for things to trip on. I stop and listen for background noises. I spoke right next to a ice skate rink once when a show was going on.
A Lot of Questions
I go sit in different seats to get a sense of what my listeners will see. I look for the different screen sizes placed throughout the venues. If necessary I will make changes to my font size.
- Will people be facing me? Will they be sitting at tables with some with their backs to me?
- Will/can they be eating/drinking while I am doing my thing?
- How close are the passageways?
- How wide and deep is the stage?
- Do I need my pointer? Or laser?
- Where do I need to stand so that I can make eye contact with listeners? How near/far are they from me?
Questions, questions. But by the time I have the answers in hand from having ‘been there and done that’ I am all the more ready for my talk. I am able to focus on the delivery, on what I can control. And I am not worried about what I can’t control.
Related: Diary of a Cruise Ship Speaker
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