Perfecting your Presentation: Simple Strategies to Boost your Presentation Prowess
0Yikes! You have to do a presentation at work…with the CEO in attendance. Do you call in sick – permanently? There is nothing worse for your nerves than feeling unprepared before getting in front of your audience on the big day. Here are some simple tips to help you best prepare for your presentation and alleviate the added pressures that can go along with it.
“A good rule of thumb is: for every ten minutes of speaking time, give your audience one point.”
Do not tell your listeners everything that you know about the topic. While your knowledge may be extensive and impressive, most business presentations are about summarizing the material for the audience. So, how much do you summarize? A good rule of thumb is: for every ten minutes of speaking time, give your audience one point. Spend an additional ten minutes on your beginning, your conclusion and any questions or activities you have prepared for your listeners.
Summarize what you are going to talk about in the presentation and then review the material at the end.
To make your material memorable, engage your audience by including the occasional question or group activity to encourage their participation. This not only takes some pressure off of you, the conversational tone establishes better rapport with your audience than standing and lecturing.
Do not memorize the body of your presentation verbatim. Most people come across wooden when regurgitating memorized speeches; do not let that be you. Instead, design your presentation so that you give yourself clues as to what is coming next. For example, have a set of cue phrases on index cards or on slide presentations to help you transition into your next point.
Do memorize your opening and conclusion, and practise it so many times that it comes across polished. A polished beginning helps you get off to a smooth start. A memorized ending keeps you focused on a strong close.
If using audio visual aids, arrive early to set up your equipment and test it! Sure, it worked yesterday, but will it work for you today? Have a plan-B, just in case.
If you plan to have a question/answer period, avoid leaving it for the end. You do not want your listeners walking away from your presentation after forming questions in their minds. Use your question/answer period just before you close, and then close strong. Also, prepare responses to anticipated questions in advance so that you come across practised and credible.
If you draw a blank at any time in your presentation – breathe, then take a sip of water and use the moment to look at your cue cards.
Practice, practise, practise! Become very comfortable with your presentation. The more you practise, the more familiar you will be with your words. Familiarity leads to confidence, and you will come across as believable when you deliver your speech conversationally and naturally.
Use visualization techniques. Imagine that you are speaking to an interested audience, one that is hanging onto your every word. Imagine that your presentation is extremely successful. Visualize this scenario so often that when you finally speak to your audience, it will seem like déjà vu.
Speak hungry. Professional speakers wait to eat after their presentation. Avoid caffeinated beverages (caffeine will give you the jitters), alcoholic drinks, starchy carbohydrates, milk products (milk makes you feel like you have more mucous in your throat) and carbonated beverages (least you burp). Sip room temperature, not ice cold water; ice water will constrict your throat.
Smile as you make eye contact. You will feel more relaxed when you smile, and when you smile, others smile back. It is easier to speak to friendly faces.
Remember, active listening is tiring. Speak more slowly than you would in conversation, and leave longer pauses between sentences. This technique allows your listeners to “catch-up” to your words, and this practice will also keep your audience’s attention focused on you.
Speak to the back corners of the room. This allows your voice to carry to the back and makes it easier for everyone to hear you.
By practising these techniques before your next big presentation, you can increase your confidence and leave your listeners with a positive impression. Amaze yourself and impress that CEO with your next great presentation.
