Honest Tips for Briefing Overseas as a Public Speaker When on the Move
In the world of public speaking, traveling for events is a common occurrence. To ensure a smooth and successful experience, it's essential to be well-prepared, both in terms of digital equipment and smart packing habits. Here are some key tips to help you navigate the challenges of international travel as a public speaker.
Essential Digital Equipment
A mobile phone and chargers are indispensable for communication, email, and speaker apps. To ensure you stay charged without immediate access to outlets, a power bank is highly recommended. A worldwide power adapter is another must-have to plug in devices regardless of the local socket type.
A laptop or tablet is essential for presentation editing, note-taking, and running your slides during talks. Earphones or earbuds are preferred over bulky headphones for monitoring audio discreetly or for calls. Optional but helpful tools include a portable clicker/remote control to manage your slides from a distance and a USB flash drive or cloud storage access for backups of your presentation files.
A digital watch or smartphone watch app can help keep track of time during your speech without repeatedly checking your phone. Accessories such as a sturdy, lightweight tech organizer or pouch can keep cables, chargers, adapters, and devices secure and easily accessible.
Smart Packing Habits
Dressing and packing lightweight professional clothing suitable for varying climates is essential to stay comfortable and sharp professionally. Consider lightweight travel accessories like custom travel organizers for your tech gear to help prevent loss or damage.
Preparing backup power solutions and digital copies of your presentation in multiple formats or cloud services is crucial in case of technical issues. Packing formal and professional outfits, as well as essential traveling accessories such as portable chargers and noise-canceling headphones, is also recommended.
Practical Tips
Staying hydrated, eating healthy food, and getting enough sleep can help public speakers remain energized after a public speaking event. Practicing two to three times before the main event and keeping a written form of speech with you can also contribute to a successful event.
Pre-trip planning is crucial, including selecting a dress code and appearance that relates to the local audience. Studies show that 55% of the audience is impressed by the appearance and attire of the speaker. Carrying a small bag with essential documents, one dress, and speaking material is a smart travel hack.
Handling Challenges
Having a backup plan and being flexible can help public speakers handle last-minute changes or event postponements. If a mishap occurs during travel such as lost luggage or event cancellation, it's important to remain calm and take deep breaths.
Learning basic language phrases and downloading translator apps can help reduce the chances of language issues in a new country or state. Using eSIM for international data plans can help public speakers save extra money on roaming charges while traveling abroad. It's not advisable to eat food from local stalls before a presentation, and it's better to opt for light snacks, dry fruits, or protein bars instead.
Public speakers spend approximately half of their year traveling for events, making it essential to follow smart traveling hacks to avoid 90% of traveling issues. Other digital tools that public speakers should consider include a USB drive or Cloud storage setup, wireless microphone, presentation clicker, and a laptop or tablet with the presentation.
By following these guidelines, public speakers can deliver their presentations smoothly and stay connected while traveling internationally.
- A mobile phone and chargers are crucial for communication, emails, and speaker apps during international travel.
- A power bank is recommended for maintaining a charge without immediate access to outlets.
- A worldwide power adapter is essential to plug in devices regardless of the local socket type.
- Lightweight, professional clothing suitable for varying climates is important for staying comfortable and sharp professionally.
- Preparing backup power solutions and digital copies of presentations in multiple formats or cloud services is crucial in case of technical issues.
- Learning basic language phrases and downloading translator apps can help reduce the chances of language issues in a new country.
- Using eSIM for international data plans can help public speakers save extra money on roaming charges while traveling abroad.
