You’ve prepared everything, the slides are perfect, the message is clear – and at the exact moment you start your presentation, the technology fails. The projector shows nothing, the audio isn’t working, or the remote simply doesn’t respond.
That is annoying. But even more annoying is how many presenters react in that moment: clicking frantically, wildly swapping cables, apologizing a dozen times – and thereby weakening their own impact.
In this post, I’ll show you a simple but effective way to handle technical glitches that I learned during my time as a management consultant. It helps you stay calm, find the error, and continue confidently.
Tip 1: Deliberately repeat the error
This sounds counterintuitive at first: when an error occurs, we want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. But that’s exactly when it pays to pause for a moment – and deliberately repeat the error.
Why?
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You can see whether the error is reproducible or just a one-time occurrence.
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You can narrow down exactly where something is going wrong (e.g., on a click, during a slide transition, when starting a video).
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You appear calmer and more analytical, instead of nervous and driven.
An example:
You click “Next Slide” – nothing happens. Instead of immediately pressing other buttons or pulling the cable, you go back for a moment:
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Did the remote work before?
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Does the laptop respond to keys but not to the clicker/remote?
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Does the problem only occur on a specific slide?
By specifically repeating the error, you often find out faster whether the issue lies with the device, the presentation software, or a specific integration (e.g., video, audio). This allows you to take targeted action instead of improvising blindly.
Tip 2: Really get to know your tools
The second tip is simple – and yet often the decisive difference between a confident and an embarrassing reaction to technical problems:
Get to know your tools.
Specifically, this means:
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PowerPoint or Keynote: Which keyboard shortcuts do you really need? How do you start the presentation quickly? How do you jump inconspicuously to a specific slide?
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Remote / Clicker: Where are the batteries, how do you re-pair the device, what is the “emergency plan” if the remote fails?
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Online platforms like MS Teams or Zoom: How do you share your screen correctly? How do you ensure audio and video are transmitted? What do you do if screen sharing suddenly stops working?
Many presenters rely on the idea that “it will work out somehow.” But it’s exactly this approach that leads to moments of stress, uncertainty, and glitches – often right in front of clients, management, or the team.
The better you know your tools, the faster you’ll recognize where the error lies. And the more calmly you can fix it.
How to practice this in reality
To stay calm in an emergency, it’s worth deliberately training your technical skills – just like your argumentation or body language.
A few ideas:
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Try out your presentation in the same setting where you will be presenting later (same room, same projector, same online platform).
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Deliberately simulate disruptions: Unplug the remote, briefly disconnect the projector, intentionally share the wrong window in MS Teams – and practice how to get back to a “normal state” cleanly.
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Set up a small technical check before every presentation: Does the clicker work? Are all cables connected? Is the sound turned on? Are notifications on the laptop disabled?
Over time, you will notice: technical glitches are never pleasant, but they lose their terror. You know what you’re doing – and you radiate that confidence.
Conclusion: Confident despite technical glitches
Technical problems can never be completely prevented. But you have much more influence over how you handle them than you might think.
Remember:
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Deliberately repeat the error instead of frantically changing everything.
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Get to know your presentation tools so well that you can quickly take the right steps in an emergency.
If you internalize these two points, you will appear calm, competent, and professional even in critical moments – and that is exactly what your audience will remember.
More in “100 Seconds for More Attractive Business Presentations”
This post is based on a short video from my series “100 Seconds for More Attractive Business Presentations.” In it, you’ll regularly receive concrete, immediately actionable tips for better business presentations in person and online.
If you don’t want to miss any tips:
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Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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Or visit my website for further rhetoric training and coaching: www.thomas-skipwith.com.
🎥 Check it out:
If you give business presentations and want your audience to remember you as competent, confident, and memorable, this video is for you. Take a look, apply the tip straight away in your next presentation—and subscribe to the channel if you want to build a toolbox for strong performances.
You can find more tips and tricks from the series “100 Seconds for More Attractive Presentations” at www.52redetipps.ch.
