Using a timer is very helpful during your presentation. It will support you to keep track to ensure that you will cover what needs to be covered during your presentation and won’t take more time then was agreed upfront. It is not polite towards your audience (and, if applicable, the speakers afterwards) if your presentation is taking more time than was agreed upfront. Keeping good track of the timing is actually something that you need to arrange for before the start of your presentation.
It is obvious that when you practice your presentation you will make sure that the presentation fits into the timeslot that you have. We won’t dive into this part now, as we will focus on the day of your presentation and more specifically the half hour before the start of your presentation.
You do need to have a watch as presenter, but this is more used before the start of your presentation to see when you need to get started. It is better not to use your watch during your presentation to keep track of the time as it may appear to the audience that you are in a hurry and have something else to do if you continue to check your watch during the presentation. Checking your watch during your presentation doesn’t look very professional.
As part of the Public Speaking Kit we advise you to get your own presentation clicker that includes a timer. Don’t set the timer just before the start of your presentation as it also looks not very professional if you are busy setting all technology instead of being focussed on your audience. It is much better to set and start the timer half an hour before the start of your presentation so you don’t need to worry about it anymore. You also ensure that you don’t forget about it to start the timer at the beginning of your presentation. The timer in the presentation clicker will be very helpful as it vibrates in your hand at some intervals before the end of your presentation. By means of this it is easy to keep track of time without your audience being aware of it, so it looks natural and impressive. Please get your own professional presentation clicker as part of your own Public Speaking Kit. Compile you own Public Speaking Kit or get one for someone else to improve public speaking skills.