Tag Archives: Speaker Notes

Why I Hate 3 x 5 Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: April 5, 2021

Very high on my list of Workplace Presenter ‘Worst Practices’ is using the simple, seemingly innocent little 3 x 5 note cards for speaker notes. They’re way too small to be of much value.

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Why I Hate 3 x 5 Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: November 4, 2019

Very high on my list of Workplace Presenter ‘Worst Practices’ is using the simple, seemingly innocent little 3 x 5 note cards for speaker notes. They’re way too small to be of much value. Good idea for high school debaters or for storing recipes maybe, but not for workplace presenter notes. And, if you do use a large-enough type that’s easy to read quickly, you’ll need a lot of the cards and will spend way too much time changing them … or picking them up when you drop them. Read More »

Why I Hate Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: September 1, 2019

I recently encountered two different authors of presentation skill-oriented books who recommended using 3×5 note cards for preparing speaker notes. Whoa! Couldn’t disagree more. So, please allow me to respectfully disagree and rerun one of my favorite rants. Read More »

‘I Don’t Get It!’ – Holding Notes

By Phil Stella | Published: June 6, 2017

Recently, a reader asked my opinion of holding speaker notes with two hands. I Don’t Get It, because I discourage the habit. It limits natural-looking gesturing, especially with notes in hand. Read More »

I Don’t Get It – 3 x 5 Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: February 1, 2017

A reader recently asked me about using 3 x 5 note cards to hold speaker notes. I don’t get 3 x 5 cards … at all! Read More »

Handouts & Slides – Different on Purpose

By Phil Stella | Published: July 1, 2016

A client recently asked for some advice about a common practice with handouts. He noted that presenters often give audience members hard copies of their slides so they can take notes or use as a handout. My comments: Read More »

Make Your Delivery Noteworthy

By Phil Stella | Published: June 1, 2016

Seems hard to believe, but something as small and potentially insignificant as your speaker notes can make the difference between good presenters and great ones in the eyes of your audience. And, after all, their perception is your reality. Read More »

Just Say ‘No’ to Note Cards

By Phil Stella | Published: July 8, 2015

Given my commitment to Life Long Learning, I regularly review presentation skill-oriented books to keep what I share with my clients current and relevant. I recently encountered two different authors who recommended using 3×5 inch note cards for preparing speaker notes. Whoa! Couldn’t disagree more. So, please allow me to respectfully disagree and rerun one of my favorite rants. Read More »

Slide Into Success

By Phil Stella | Published: October 8, 2014

I recently engaged in a lively LinkedIn Presentation group discussion about whether or not presenters should use slides. Here’s a summary of my comments, based on years of coaching executives, for you workplace presenters with similar concerns. Read More »

Forget the Cheaters

By Phil Stella | Published: June 9, 2014

A reader recently asked a question about using speaker notes when delivering a presentation –  ‘I need to use reading glasses to see my notes and that makes it difficult to focus in on audience members’ eyes. Now what?’

My Answer – Simply create actual speaker notes instead of a copy of your outline, or worse, a verbatim text. Notes should be short and simple with a few key words.  Increase the font size to 18 point and make the text bold. You ought to be able to easily see them without your cheaters. Try to make the type large enough so you can even leave them on the table in front of you and still easily see them.