Speaker Onboarding Guide 

Guidance for Pre-recording Your Presentation 


Welcome to the Indigenomics NOW Speaker Team! 

As we come together to share important ideas and stories, the quality of how you present your voice and presence is just as essential as the content itself. This guide will walk you through how to pre-record your talk, presentation, keynote, or panel in a way that ensures your message comes across clearly and professionally, whether you’re using Zoom or a more advanced camera and microphone setup. Let’s begin. 

Presentation Formats

You may have chosen one of the following formats for your presentation. Here’s how we suggest you structure and prepare based on the time allotted: 

  • Short Talk (up to 15 minutes) 

These are concise, impactful talks focused on one key idea. Use this format to inspire or provoke thoughts. Plan for no more than 1-2 main points, and practice keeping your delivery clear and focused. 

  • Presentation (30 minutes) 

A traditional format for more in-depth exploration. Break your content into 3-4 main sections and allow time for reflection. Ensure a balanced pace so you don’t rush through your ideas. 

  • Keynote (50 minutes) 

For deep dives or inspirational talks. Use this format to tell a powerful story or walk your audience through a complex issue in detail. Ensure you’re engaging, and consider using visual aids, if possible, to break up the flow. 

  • Panel Discussion (30-50 minutes) 

Panels involve multiple voices and perspectives. If you’re moderating, prepare questions that allow for interaction. If you’re a panelist, focus on concise, thoughtful contributions and remember that listening is just as important as speaking. These panel discussions will be coordinated and recorded together.  

 

Pre-Recording Your Presentation

Whether you’re using Zoom or a higher-end setup, these instructions will help you create a professional recording. 

Recording via Zoom: 

  • Setup your space: Find a quiet space with minimal background noise. Make sure the lighting is in front of you, not behind, to avoid shadows. 
  • Framing the shot: Ensure your camera is at eye level. Position yourself in the center of the screen with a clean, simple background. 
  • Test your equipment: Use the test function in Zoom to check your audio and video quality. Consider using a headset or external microphone for improved sound. 
  • Recording: Start your meeting alone to record. Use the “Record” function and make sure you’re in “Speaker View” for the best framing. 
  • If you are presenting with slides, ensure you are in presentation sharing mode. Note your slides will be featured prominently and your video will be a small thumbail in the corner.  
  • Once the video is recorded, please follow the upload instructures later in this guide.  

 

Recording with a Camera and Microphone: 

  • Camera setup: Use a camera at eye level and set up at least one soft light source to the front of your face. If possible, use a DSLR or high-quality webcam. If using your phone, please make sure it is recording in landscape mode. 
  • Microphone setup: An external microphone is preferred for capturing clear, crisp audio. Test the audio levels and ensure you’re not too close or too far from the mic. 
  • Test your shot: Do a test recording to ensure everything looks and sounds good. Pay attention to your audio clarity and video lighting. 

 

Important! Simulating a Live Presentation

Although you are pre-recording this talk in advance of 14th November, for participants, however, it will appear as if all content is live. So please refrain from mentioning comments like “good morning” or referencing the time or day of the week.  

You also do not need to spend time introducing yourself. The Hosts will read an abridged bio for you before your talk goes live.  

 

Warming Up Your Voice

Before recording, it’s important to warm up your voice to ensure clarity and ease of speaking. Here are a few simple exercises: 

•Lip Trills: Gently blow air through your lips while making a vibrating sound. This helps to relax your vocal cords. 

•Humming: Hum at different pitches to gently warm up your vocal range. Start low and gradually increase in pitch. 

•Tongue Twisters: Repeat tongue twisters like “Red leather, yellow leather” to improve articulation. 

•Breathing Exercises: Take deep, controlled breaths to calm any nerves and maintain steady airflow when you speak. 

 

Uploading Your Recording

Once your recording is complete, you can upload it and any slides to us via one of the following methods: 

- Google Drive Link: If you have a gmail account, you can upload your video directly to:  

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pU6KGX-QrZbZe9hGGUr4x70kOuvbvSIp 

- WeTransfer: You can also use WeTransfer to upload your file and send it to us. 

**Please ensure that your file is labeled with your full name when uploading. If you have any questions or encounter issues while uploading, feel free to reach out to our team.  **

 

During the event

As we are pre-recording all the talks, we have not built in Q&A into the sessions. We encourage, if you are able, to join during your session and engage with the audience after the conclusion of your talk in the chat. 

To login to the event visit the sign-in page to access the Event Lobby.


Deadline to record your talks is Oct 31st, 2024 at midnight of your time zone.  If this is an issue, please reach out. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Natasha Marshall events@indigenomics.com  

 

Thank you for bringing your voice and expertise to the Global Centre of Indigenomics. Let’s make your presentation a powerful contribution to the conversation we’re building together.