LFX Mentorship Showcase

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Speaker Guide

Welcome

We are excited to welcome you as a speaker for the LFX Mentorship Showcase, taking place virtually on Wednesday, January 18 – Thursday, January 19, during Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).

Please see below for details about the day and additional information to help you prepare.  

Please click through the tabs on this page to access information.

Registration

If you have not already done so, please register for the event using the details sent in your acceptance email. If you need these details sent to you again, please contact cfp@linuxfoundation.org.

Day of Details + Program Format

Your speaking segment will be done via Zoom webinar, and you will need to log into the webinar using your personalized link thirty (30) minutes before your segment is scheduled to begin. This link will be sent to you via a calendar invite as we get closer to the event dates. Linux Foundation Staff members will greet you, and will also be there to ensure there are no technical issues and walk you through any additional instructions.

If you do not have a strong internet connection, please send a 10-minute pre-recording of your presentation as a backup. We will need to receive the pre-record by Monday, January 16 by noon EST. You can share the pre-record to this Google folder or send it directly to cfp@linuxfoundation.org.

Once the program starts, Shuah Khan, Linux Kernel Fellow, will kick off with opening remarks, and from there, attendees will introduce themselves in the order indicated on the event schedule. We ask that you please note who speaks before you because once they are done, you will introduce yourself. We recommend starting with “Hello, my name is ____ _____, and today I will be talking about” and then going into your introduction and presentation. You will have 10 minutes, and we recommend you use a timer to stay on track. You will screen share your presentation slides.

Due to a robust schedule, there will not be any Q+A during your talk, but you can communicate directly with attendees and other speakers via the virtual event platform, Accelevents.

**Please note that our team will also communicate with you via the chat function when you are presenting, so please be sure to open the chat window to see those messages. 

Virtual Platform

While we will be using Zoom webinar for your particular segment presentation, you will need to sign onto the virtual platform, Accelevents, to view the other speaking segments and chat directly with attendees.

Be sure to set up your profile on Accelevents, and please keep an eye on the direct messages section, as that is where attendees can message you, and you can also send direct messages within the platform.

Presentation Template and Slide Upload

An optional PowerPoint template is available for download but is not required.

To upload slides:

We ask that all speakers upload their slides to Sched.com for attendee reference. In addition to providing a hard copy for accessibility purposes, we find that adding the presentations before the event helps to drive interest in attending the session. Please note that your presentation slides should be uploaded in PDF format to Sched.com and formatted in 16:9.

To upload slides:

  • Log into your LFX Mentorship Showcase speaker profile through Sched.com
  • Go to your session within Sched
  • Click on Session tools to the right of the session title
  • Underneath the session title, select Add Presentation
  • Upload your pdf document (note: there is a 50MB size limit)
  • The presentation will automatically save to your session

If you need assistance or would like the content team to upload on your behalf, please contact cfp@linuxfoundation.org.

Prepare for your Speaking Session

  • Perform a mandatory tech check to ensure there are no internet connection issues. This tech check will be done before the event dates. Additional details to follow.
  • If you do not have a strong internet connection, please send a 10-minute pre-recording of your presentation as a backup. We will need to receive the pre-record by Monday, January 16 by 12:00 pm EST. You can share the pre-record to this Google folder or send it directly to cfp@linuxfoundation.org.

Technical Tips for Virtual Presentations

  • Audio – as counterintuitive as it may sound, the single most important factor in a good video, is the audio quality. 
  • Eliminate ambient noise – close the doors and windows. You’d be surprised how much environmental noise gets picked up.
  • Lighting – Do not put lights overhead and don’t put any lights or windows behind you as they will alter the light levels in your videos and create shadows.
  • Background – don’t be afraid to show your natural environment – bookcases, plants, paintings – as long as they are not too distracting.
  • Framing – place yourself slightly off-center to the left or right rather than directly in the middle of the frame.
  • Camera Height – the lens should either be directly level or pointing ever so slightly downwards towards your face.
  • Stand – we recommend you stand during your presentation to help project your voice and improve your posture. However, if you’re more comfortable sitting, then please do.
  • Timer – Have a clock to keep track of the time you have remaining. 

Source: https://www.greatspeech.co/video-presentations/

Lighting, Webcam and Microphone Best Practices

Best Practices for Lighting

  • For best results, use natural light and supplement with additional light as needed.
  • Keep natural light in front of you to avoid shadows. A bright window behind you can make you appear as a dark silhouette. 
  • Interior rooms with no natural light source may require additional targeted lighting, such as a ring light, to brighten the speaker’s face.

Best Practices for Webcams

  • To ensure the speaker is looking directly at the audience, place the webcam at eye level.
  • Avoid distracting backgrounds by checking the surroundings behind you to make sure there are no distracting colors or movement.
  • Presenters should use chairs that are adjustable for height but do not swivel. Swiveling on camera creates a poor attendee experience and can be distracting.

Best Practices for Microphones

  • Use external microphones whenever available, as microphones built into computers and cameras often have lower quality. 
  • An external microphone allows the speaker to place it in the optimal location for sound.
  • Place the microphone close to the speaker’s mouth, but not in the camera view.
  • Test audio levels in advance.
  • Manage noise by turning off fans, phones, or speakers and keep ambient noise to a minimum. 
  • Do not touch the microphone while unmuted.

Dress Code

  • There is no dress code for presentations, and we encourage you to be comfortable. That said, you must be aware the Code of Conduct applies to this space, both in terms of what you show on camera and what you say. We ask that you be tasteful and considerate in choosing your clothing and surroundings. Keep in mind that we are a global community. Please refrain from wearing shirts with international brand logos that are not your own. Solid colors (not white) also work best instead of prints. 

Tips to Keep Your Virtual Audience Engaged

  • Learn the Content: Familiarity with the content allows a speaker to focus on presenting, rather than trying to remember the points to make. To minimize worry about forgetting elements of the presentation, include notes in your presentation file and have a printout of your script or talking points.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Speakers should practice their content delivery in the environment in which they will deliver it, such as in front of a computer. Presenting alone to a computer can be awkward at first. To make speakers more comfortable, ask colleagues, roommates, or family to sit in front so they can present to familiar faces.
  • Understand the Tools: Speakers should understand and utilize the content options available to them, to maximize the effectiveness of the presentation technology. It’s important to know the basic functions of the software, e.g. how to advance slides, manage Q&A or chats, before the presentation. 
  • Speak Up: Check audio levels before presenting, but also make sure to breathe at regular intervals to speak audibly and clearly. Maintaining a clear, even tone throughout the presentation will allow the audience to hear it without adjusting their volume settings.
  • Look at Your Camera: If presenting via video, remember, the webcam is your link to your audience. Make eye contact with the camera so it appears to the audience that you are speaking directly to them.
  • Don’t Fear Mistakes: Humans make mistakes, even during presentations. Realize that flubs happen and they won’t derail your presentation – unless you let them. Just keep going in your planned presentation and remember, the audience is forgiving.
  • Be Prepared: During the presentation, have a glass of water nearby to sip as needed. Also, keep handy a printout of your slides or notes in case you need to refer to them.

Source: https://www.inxpo.com/assets/pdfs/litepapers/How-To-Be-An-Engaging-Speaker.pdf

Additional Resources

Code of Conduct

Please read, and abide, by our code of conduct. Our code of conduct is strictly enforced. Therefore, we ask that speakers mainly review this code of conduct and be inclusive of the words and images used during their presentations.

Contact Us

If you have any other platform, speaker, or schedule-related questions, please contact us at cfp@linuxfoundation.org.

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