Creating Effective Posters

Before the Poster Session

• Submit your poster, in the appropriate file type, to your conference or class
• Confirm when and where you will be hanging, presenting, and taking down your poster
• Gather supplies (pins, tape, etc.) to hang your poster
• Prepare a brief talk that explains your poster (what you did, what you found, and why it is important)
• Practice answering questions that could come up about your research
• If desired, create handouts that provide additional information about your research
• Consider bringing water - you may spend a lot of time talking!

During the Poster Session

• Stand next to, but do not block, your poster
• Engage interested viewers by responding to their questions, and asking questions about them
• Make eye contact with people passing by, but do not corral them
• Do not allow one viewer to monopolize your time; get contact information and offer to speak to or correspond with the person at another time
• Memorize the general layout of your poster so you don't need to turn your back to visitors when showing them components 
• If you are presenting outside of CWU, make sure to tell visitors where you are from!

Business Cards

• Remember to bring your business cards or contact information to your Research Poster or Presentation Session! 
• This will help you network and connect with those interested in your poster.  
• You can also bring a notepad to collect the information of those that you talk to. 
• It may help to write yourself a note about the conversation you had with particular people on the business cards they give you- this will help you keep track of the people you meet.

Credit: Tufts University Libraries.