Regardless of what other type of A-V assistance you use, you should prepare a handout for the audience to take home. If you pass it out in advance, however, some will get distracted from listening to you as they flip through it. Give it out during the question period, if you have one. Otherwise, have assistants hand them out at the exits or make them available on a table to take. Mention this at the start of your speech, so that the audience will not have to frantically scribble notes unnecessarily.

Bring 15 percent more copies of the handout than you think you will need, in case attendance is greater than anticipated. If you do run out, post it on your Web site or give out your e-mail address and ask those who did not get one to send a request or give you their card.

Do not simply make the handout a copy of your slides, which won't tell the audience much because they have few words (more on this in a moment). Provide a written version of everything you mentioned in the speech, at least a detailed outline, including charts and footnotes for support.