Guides for hosts and speakers
Guides for pitch nights, meetups and online meetings where talks keep running long. Most of the advice works with or without a timer app.
Pitch nights, meetups and talks
- negotimer video tour (5 min): a pitch timer that runs every speaker for youA five-minute narrated tour of negotimer, the timer for pitch nights, meetups, networking meetings and class presentations. Set up the format, let talk, Q&A and changeover run themselves, record each speaker (Pro) and show the timer in online meetings (Windows). Jump to any chapter.
- How to time a short pitch: what to say in 1, 3 or 5 minutesHow to split a 1, 3 or 5-minute pitch at a networking event, meetup or pitch night, how many words to write, and how to finish on time on the day.
- Timekeeping for meetups and lightning talks: cues that speakers actually noticeA practical guide for the timekeeper at a meetup, lightning talk night or study group. When to give cues, how to use cards and bells, and how to get speakers to stick to time.
Online meetings
- How to show a countdown timer in Zoom, Teams or Google Meet (no OBS needed)Three ways to put a countdown timer on screen in a Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet meeting so every participant can see the time left, compared. Screen sharing, chat cues, or a timer that joins as a camera, with no OBS setup.
- Zoom timer overlay: 4 ways to show a countdown everyone in the meeting can seeHow to put a countdown timer on everyone's Zoom screen. Zoom's own Timer app, sharing a timer window, an OBS virtual camera, and a timer that joins as its own participant tile, compared, plus how to spotlight or pin the timer.
- Teams meeting timer: 4 ways to show a countdown in Microsoft TeamsHow to show a countdown timer in a Microsoft Teams meeting. The built-in Timer, sharing a timer window, an OBS virtual camera, and a timer that joins as its own participant tile, compared, plus how to spotlight or pin the timer.
Talks and Q&A, timed for you.
negotimer is a presentation timer for iPhone and Android. Every timer feature is free, with a banner ad at the bottom. Per-speaker recording is Pro, a one-time purchase with no subscription.
Using a computer?