Sharing the Mic: Secrets to Seamless Co-Presenting

So you’re not taking the stage alone—congrats! Whether you’re teaming up with a longtime colleague or a brand-new collaborator, co-presenting can make for a powerful, engaging session.

But let’s be honest: It can also be awkward without the right prep.

A seamless co-presentation doesn’t just happen—it’s built with clear communication, shared expectations, and mutual respect. Here’s how to set yourself (and your speaking partner) up for success before, during, and after your session.

Before Your Session: Set Yourselves Up for Success

• Align on Purpose. What do you want participants to learn, do, or feel because of your session? Start by agreeing on the goals, key takeaways, and agenda.

• Define Roles and Responsibilities. Who’s creating slides? Who’s handling activities or the Q&A? Who’s moderating the chat (if virtual)? Map it out early so you’re not scrambling later.

• Decide Who Drives the Deck. If one person is advancing the slides, make that clear. This prevents clunky “next slide, please” moments. Pro tip: whoever isn’t driving can focus on storytelling or engaging the audience.

• Talk Through Facilitation Styles. Is one of you more structured while the other likes to ad-lib? Do you interrupt each other in conversation, or prefer speaking in turns? Address these preferences up front so your styles feel complementary, not conflicting.

• Set Feedback Expectations. Will you debrief right after, or wait a few days? Do you prefer written or conversational feedback? Clarifying this in advance keeps things constructive (and keeps egos intact).

• Practice. Then Practice Again. Even seasoned presenters need a dry run. You’re not just rehearsing content—you’re practicing timing, transitions, and teamwork. If you have the chance, practice at least once in the room where you’ll be presenting, because room size and pathway obstacles can affect where you want to be when you make key points.

During Your Session: Be a Team in Real Time

• Stay Engaged—Even When You’re Not. “On” Don’t check out when your co-presenter is speaking. Make eye contact with the audience, nod, and show that you’re part of the moment.

• Handle the Handoffs. When one of you finishes a section, smoothly transition to the next speaker. Phrases like “I’ll hand it to [Name], who’ll walk us through the next piece” help keep the energy up.

• Support Behind the Scenes. If you’re not speaking, handle side tasks like distributing handouts, monitoring the chat, or watching for questions from the audience.

• Avoid Competition. It may be tempting to draw audience attention to yourself, so be mindful to not appear to ask the audience to choose sides. Doing so diminishes your credibility—as well as that of the other speaker(s).

• Don’t Contradict. Your Partner. Avoid correcting, one-upping, or undermining each other on stage. If something’s off, take note and address it privately after the session.

• Be Generous Nod. Smile. Say, “That’s such a great point.” Support each other actively—your audience can see this.

After Your Session: Reflect & Recharge

• Celebrate the Wins. What went well? Was there a question that sparked great discussion? A story that really landed? An ad hoc moment that enriched the session? Celebrate those moments together.

• Offer Thoughtful Feedback. Use a “situation-behavior-impact” approach (for example, “When you opened with that story, it immediately engaged the room”). Focus on what worked and what could be better—without turning it into a critique fest.

• Give It a Minute. Unless something urgent needs addressing, wait a day or two before diving into feedback. Let the adrenaline wear off and come back with clarity.

• Say Thank You. A simple “Thanks for doing this with me” goes a long way, whether it was your first time presenting together or your 10th. If you want to do it again, say so!

Bringing It All Together

Presenting with a co-speaker can be a rewarding experience—not just for your audience, but for you too. With the right prep and a little intention, you’ll walk off stage feeling like a winning team that truly delivered.