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The occasion may arise where you want or are compelled to present with a partner. Partner presenting is one 
of the more challenging types of presentations to pull off effectively. Taking your time to prepare and focusing on the reactions of the audience when each person is presenting gives you the information to make your message resonate with your listeners. To make this go smoothly and not confuse your audience with two speakers, here are five tips I recommend:
of the more challenging types of presentations to pull off effectively. Taking your time to prepare and focusing on the reactions of the audience when each person is presenting gives you the information to make your message resonate with your listeners. To make this go smoothly and not confuse your audience with two speakers, here are five tips I recommend:1. Get your stories straight
Always take time before your presentations to review the content of your message with your partner. Make sure you both share a common understanding of the content and the objective. This is key for the times when you may have to go “off-message” and still give your partner a chance to keep moving forward without a struggle.
2. Avoid interrupting
No matter how poignant your think your comment is do not interrupt your partner. Not only does it throw off the timing of the presentation but it can be very jarring to the audience. Agree to a “transition delay” between main topics when presenting to give your partner a chance to chime in if desired. This is especially important when presenting virtually and you lack the physical clues for timing and pace.
3. Follow my lead
If you or your partner goes down a path in the presentation that is engaging the audience but is not part of the core message, don’t waste time just listening. Think of how you might wrap the core message around what has just been presented and draw the conversation back on track. If possible avoid verbal left-turns such as, “now back to our original topic.”
4. Divide the presentation into thirds
Two presenters should divide their presentation into thirds with the same speaker delivering the opening and closing sections. The starting and ending by the same person provides continuity to the delivery while highlighting the second presenter as an important addition to the overall message.
5. Bring it down a notch
Unless you’re delivering a motivational speech or an infomercial, two high energy speakers can be overwhelming to an audience. Make sure you throttle back your energy a bit and balance each other.
