I was reading the program of two upcoming meetings in our fields. Perhaps the following will be helpful in making your presentation stand out among the hundreds of others. I'm sure I have earlier recommended these in this blog, but they are worth repeating. By the way, my concern with cute titles (#5) is serious--you want people to know what you are claiming without having to read the paper or decode your double entendre.

1. Stay Within the Time Limit: If you have fifteen minutes for your talk, speak for fourteen. Practice and time yourself; this means the main work has to be done a week before the meeting. Cut out anything that is not vital. Allow time for others to ask questions.
2. Main Point Up Front: In the first two minutes, people should know your main point, the most important finding, your theoretical claim. Discuss your paper with your advisor, to be sure that the main points are highlighted. You represent USC, SPPD, and your advisor, so you might as well do a fine job.
3. PowerPoints are Often Unhelpful: Do have a handout, maybe just one page, that summarizes your main points. You want people to listen to you, not fall asleep in the dark or just read your PowerPoints. On the other hand, if you do not speak clearly or find that your English is not up to the task, use PowerPoints, so people can follow what you are saying.
4. Have copies of your paper with you, to give to interested people, and if you are seeking a position, be sure to have your CV with you. In any case, be sure your email address and website (if appropriate) are on the paper and on the CV.
5. Most titles are cuter than they are informative. So be sure that you follow #2. If you have a chance to change the title, make sure the main finding or claim is there. Tantalizing people is much less effective than giving them the good stuff.
6. Your goal is to have some people be interested in your work, argue with you, take your work seriously.
7. Multi-authored papers seem to be more frequent than some years ago. If someone asks, and if they are recruiting they are likely to, be able to explain your contribution to the work, your plans for future work, the implications of your work for practice or policy or other research. Have you thought about places to obtain grant support to further your agenda?