The Essential Trainer Checklist: What to do before and after your training session
“I watch a lot of astronaut movies...Mostly Star Wars. And even Han and Chewie use a checklist.”
-Jon Stewart
We love a good checklist.
It's not that we are semi-addicted to that self-satisfied feeling you get when you check off the final box off a list—we love them because they stop us from making careless mistakes.
Everybody makes mistakes sometimes. Forgetting things is part of being human.
But sometimes forgetting something minor can have a major impact on your ability to deliver a memorable and impactful training session.
It can leave you fumbling and looking unprofessional when you should have your head in the game and be blowing people’s minds with your expertise.
Checklists are a way to reduce some of that human error.
They are efficient, simple, and help us make sure we don’t forget the things we know are important—something which is essential for professional trainers.
On top of that, they are super easy to use, and today we are making it even easier.
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Expert Speaker and drawn on our collective experience to create this useful checklist for professional trainers.
We wanted to convert these ideas into a very practical format, so we created a one-page PDF checklist that you can print out and start using today. We’ve even left loads of extra space for you to customize it based on your session and specific needs.
Click here to download a printable speaker checklist PDF, or scroll down to copy and paste the list below.
The Essential Trainer Checklist PDF
We also realize that having to print something off might not be practical for every trainer—perhaps you are already using a tool like Trello or Evernote and would prefer to add this list to your preferred platform.
Here is the list again, ready for you to copy and paste:
The Essential Trainer Checklist
Session details
Presentation title:
Date & time:
Venue:
Special directions:
Audience:
Size:
Demographic:
Additional details:
Organizer's contact number:
Travel
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Print address, directions, venue map
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Boarding passes/train tickets
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Passport
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Full tank of gas (if driving), bus plan with route & stops, taxi phone number
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Local currency/cash/credit card
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Route from the hotel to the venue
Venue
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Visit the venue or review the room floor plan & photos
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Confirm availability of equipment
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Check venue's internet quality & ask for back up connection login
Electronics & supplies
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Laptop/tablet/smartphone & chargers
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Back-up devices & battery packs
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Electrical adapter
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Projector connection adapter
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Small speakers for sound
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Presentation remote & charger/batteries
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Extension cord
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Timer
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Notepad / pens & pencils
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Video camera/stand
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Brochures & business cards
Pro-packing essentials
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Watch
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Toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant
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Hair brush & comb
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Spare shirt / blouse & spare tie / nylons
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Water bottle
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Snacks: fruit, energy bar, etc.
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Throat lozenges & breath mints
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Aspirin/emergency medication
Presentation
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Printed introduction for host
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Physical copy of slides & speaking notes
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Presentation backup (email, USB, alternative platform versions)
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Props, samples, or demos
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Markers: flip chart & whiteboard
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Handouts
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Evaluation forms
Day before
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Pack your bag
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Confirm arrival times
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Get a good night sleep
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Avoid overconsumption of alcohol
Presentation day
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Moderate exercise in the morning
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Arrive early, at least 40 minutes before.
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Meet the organizers, hosts, & technicians
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Test equipment & sound check
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Run through presentation outline
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Prepare speaking area (flip charts, etc.)
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Ensure proper seating/no blocked views
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Adjust lights/curtains & temperature
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Locate restrooms
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Have drinking water available
Day after
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Review feedback forms & write out reflections / improvement ideas
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Send invoice and "Thank you", to the organizer. offer results-based feedback from the session
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Add business cards to your email & address book
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Email attendees with follow-up materials
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Connect with new contacts on social media
Don’t forget to add your own essential “don’t forget…” items to the list, we’ve built it around what most trainers will need for their session, but have also left you room to customize it based on your needs (e.g. an extra pair of glasses/contacts & solution, wireless headset microphones & charger, antihistamines for seasonal allergies, etc.)
You are still going to need to use your skills and common sense, however, a great checklist can foolproof your presentation. It will help remind you of the important items and steps that even pro-trainers can forget.
Checklists can’t do your session for you, but they can definitely help make it a success.
Are you a professional trainer? Is there anything else that you would add? Contact us here.
Discover how to get more speaking opportunities with SpeakerHub: Find out about how SpeakerHub works for trainers.
