Planning a presentation that fits your speaking time

A practical way to rehearse your talk, leave space for questions and use a stage countdown without rushing your audience.

Start with the time you have actually been given, including any introduction and questions. For a 20-minute slot, you might reserve two minutes for the opening, twelve for your main points, three for a conclusion and three for questions. Adapt that plan to your event rather than treating it as a fixed formula.

Rehearse aloud at a natural pace. Reading slides silently gives a poor estimate of how long an explanation will take. Mark which example you can shorten if you run late, and prepare a brief conclusion that still makes sense when time is tight.

Place a countdown where the presenter can read it without turning away from the audience. StageScreen can show a stage timer and presenter notes while another device controls them. Agree with the event team what a note such as “two minutes left” means before the talk begins.

Test the display, connection and viewing distance before people arrive. Keep notes short and avoid sending several messages at once. A timer helps you notice the remaining time; your rehearsal and the decisions you make during the talk keep the presentation clear.