In short: Ask for feedback before the run and name what to watch for. When giving feedback, say what went well, then one or two specific things to change, with a concrete alternative. When receiving it, say thank you and nothing more, write each comment down, and act only on the patterns that repeat. Choose two changes before the next rehearsal.
Feedback is only useful if it changes what you do next. Most of the value comes from how you ask for it, and from the order in which you take it in. A presenter who asks a vague question gets a polite answer. A presenter who names what to watch for gets a fix they can make before Thursday.
Ask before the run, not after
Tell the people watching what to look for. "Watch my pace in the middle section" gets a useful answer. "What did you think?" gets reassurance. If the run is recorded, ask the reviewer to note the time when they noticed something, so you can find the moment again.
Celebrate, then fix
Use two parts. First, name what went well, specifically: the opening line, the example that landed, the way you took a hard question. Second, name one or two things to change, with a concrete alternative. "Slow down before the numbers" is something you can act on. "Be more engaging" is not.
Feedback is about how the talk landed in the room, not how it felt to you on stage. The audience judges by what they saw and heard. If you felt rushed but the room felt calm, the room's view is the one to plan around, and the recording will tell you which of you was right.
Receiving feedback
- Thank the person, and only thank them. Do not explain or defend a choice in the moment.
- Write each comment down as it comes, so you are not holding them in your head.
- Act on patterns. One comment is an opinion. The same comment from three people is information.
- Choose the top two changes before the next rehearsal, and leave the rest for later.
Giving feedback that helps
Use the same two parts as above, and give each change a concrete thing to try next time. Keep each comment specific enough that the speaker could act on it tomorrow. Comment on the talk, never on the person's confidence or manner. The approval rounds feedback template can be adapted for a talk if you need a format to follow.
Worked example
A presenter asks a colleague to watch the close. The colleague replies: "The opening question was strong, and the room leaned in. The close went quiet because you thanked the room and then looked down at your notes. Next time, finish on the one-line point, then stop and wait for a second before you say anything else."
The speaker thanks the colleague, writes both points down, and rehearses the close twice before the next run.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking "did it go OK?", which invites reassurance rather than detail.
- Asking for feedback from one person with a stake in the outcome, and nobody else.
- Trying to fix everything at once, so nothing changes.
- Arguing with the room during the feedback.
Recording yourself gives you a second source of feedback that does not need anyone else's time. The self-review sheet sets out what to look for, and the rehearsal guide explains how a rehearsal differs from a run-through.
Related guides
- Rehearsal vs run-through: what the crew needs from you
- Record yourself and review: a self-review sheet
- All guides and tools
The picture at the top of this page is an illustration, not a photograph of a client or a real job.
Questions we get asked
How do I ask for useful feedback on a presentation?
Name the thing you want checked before the run, such as pace in the middle section or the close. A specific question gets a specific answer.
What is the celebrate and fix method for feedback?
Name what worked first, then one or two things to change, each with a concrete alternative. It keeps the speaker open to the fixes because the good parts are named first.
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