Presentation skills
Ten top tips for presenters
1 Structure your presentation.
Gain a clear mental grasp of your material.
Decide what points are the "fundamental issues".
What points are the main themes?
Which ones are minor themes and what are merely details?
Then prepare a definite, logically organized presentation.
Presentations given in an illogical, random order quickly become confusing to the listeners. If you confuse your listens, you will lose them, won’t you?
2 Limit the amount.
Remember that people only have a limited amount of motivation and concentration. So, do not try to say everything.
Keep to the point.
3 Know the nature of your audience.
Prepare your presentation with your audience’s perspective in mind.
What vocabulary is appropriate to your listeners?
How much knowledge can you assume?
How much interest do they have?
Why is your message important to this audience?
What kind of questions might this audience ask?
3 Involve your audience
Are questions more or less likely to involve your audience, than a list of statements?
Answer: More.
Why?
Because they cause the listeners to think?
So, how many questions can you weave into your presentation?
Use rhetorical questions, stories, examples, and metaphors to maintain interest.
Do not expect your audience to be satisfied with plain facts. If you do, your listeners’ will "wander". Take active steps to engage them.
What steps?
Read on.
4 Use a variety of senses.
The more senses you engage the more your message will be received. Prepare visual aids. Consider the use of music (if appropriate). Bring exhibits to pass round. Create an activity that will demonstrate your point.
5 Consider how you use your voice.
Your voice quality makes a tremendous difference to your impact, as a speaker. Use it wisely. For example:
If your message is mainly factual, keeps the pace moderately slow, (to give people time to "take it in").
If your message is intended to arouse excitement, your pace should be faster, maybe louder. This will inspire an emotional response.
6 Create a good visual impact
This does not mean "flashy". Generally, it is best to be clean, well groomed and functional.
Avoid distracting accessories, (for example, too much jewellery)
7 Written plans are vital
If you tell yourself "I'll wing it when I get there. Something will come to me", do not believe it.
You must have a written plan, together with approximate timings and details of what visual aids you will use and when.
Never wing it. It is too risky.
Consider having a back up plan, (which means alternative methods of saying the same thing, in case "plan A" isn't working)
Having written plans is non-negotiable.
Having them will help your confidence too.
8 Avoid reading word for word from a script.
Reading causes you to disengage from your audience.
Your attention is fixed on the paper.
Instead, speak naturally, basing your words on the written plan. But be ready to flex according to the demands of the listeners.
9 Summarise and repeat key points.
Draw conclusions and make them clear.
Avoid ambiguity.
Clarity is your aim. Make sure that they understand you (even if they disagree with you).
10 Enjoy yourself.
Expressing ideas to a group can be exciting and fun. And audiences appreciate speakers who enjoy sharing their message.
Have you ever watched a nervous, self-depreciating speaker? It is embarrassing, isn't it?
So prepare yourself.
Organise your thoughts and create a professional content.
Then, in the moment, relax and enjoy yourself.
Remember: The audience is on your side. They want you to succeed.
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