Public Speaking 101 - Putting Together a Presentation.
This can be one of the most challenging aspects of public speaking. But once you have your material nailed down you should feel more confident and relaxed. This applies no matter how big or small your audience.
Your Introduction is Key.
It’s said you have 10 seconds to make a good impression. So, no matter how good your material is after the tenth second, it doesn’t really matter if you’ve already lost half, if not all your audience by then. Spend a large portion of your prep time on the introduction. I like to use a story, preferably a personal one, that relates to your topic. This can then be used throughout your presentation and to tie it up at the end. Or perhaps ask a poignant question that will get your audience involved from the off. If appropriate to your presentation get them to answer this question verbally. This interaction will settle your nerves and get you off to a good start.
Outline. Don’t script.
Whatever you do, do not write your talk or presentation out like a script to be read verbatim. It will stifle you; it will bore your audience and it will tie one hand behind your back. I recommend simply noting key thoughts and ideas. For example, if your intro is a story, just note down “story about X”. Don’t write the story out, you already know it. Relate it as if you were telling a friend the story over coffee. Or if it’s a question to start, just put “Question Re: X”
(Exception: If you have a key figure or technical point to remember, note it down in full.)
Limit (Or Completely Cut Out) the Use of Slides
Too many presenters hide behind slides. Audiences don’t connect with slides; they connect with people. With you. So, limit their use. We’ve all experienced those presentations where someone reads the entirety of their slides.Very quickly you realise you can just read the slides and then check Twitter. Thus, if you decide to use slides, make sure they serve a purpose - to illustrate something graphically or numerically. If you use text on your slides keep it brief and preferably in bullet form.
Practice – But Only a Little
The adage is Practice, Practice, Practice. And that does sum it up well. But I think it should be more like: Practice, Practice, but only until it still sounds natural and extemporaneous. Once you are sick of the material you have gone too far. If you’re sick of it, your audience will be too. They don’t want it to be too polished. They will forgive a few bum lines here or there if it’s put across in a natural way. I’d forgive so many perceived flaws – word whiskers, strange gestures, talking too quickly – if it was you being yourself. I like C-3PO, but I don’t want to listen to him for more than 10 seconds.
Leave Your Notes at Home.
Have you ever had the experience of turning up at your presentation and suddenly starting to panic after realising you left your notes by the bedside? I bet that the presentation was one of the best you’ve ever given! Why? Remember you’ve practiced, you know your subject, your obviously qualified to be speaking otherwise you wouldn’t have got the gig. You likely just spoke from the heart. You were natural.
I suggest next time you leave your notes by the bed intentionally. Your skills as a public speaker will quadrupole. Yes, the first few times you might feel a little uncomfortable. But you will learn to think on your feet. To trust that you know what you’re talking about. You will be focused on your audience instead of your notes or slides. You will make a connection. You will have impact.
Give it a try. I guarantee you will thank me for this one later.
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