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Being an effective communicator is arguably the most important quality a worker can possess. Anyone can improve his or her oral presentation skills. You just have to work at it.
Until recently, I used to believe “speaking is just not my thing.” Being an effective communicator is arguably the most important quality a worker can possess. Anyone can improve his or her oral presentation skills. You just have to work at it.
In Tim Koegel’s book, The Exception Presenter, he states, "Delivering an exceptional presentation does not guarantee a win every time. But you should never lose because your presentation was less than exceptional."
Today, I’d like to share the insights I’ve learned with you.
Preparation
Organizing your presentation
1) Tell them what you’re going to tell them
2) Tell them
3) Tell them what you just told them
Arrive 1 hour early
1) 40 minutes to prepare yourself (PowerPoint, notes, last minute details, etc.)
2) 20 minutes to mingle with the audience (learn as many names as you can)
3) Drink tea or warm water before you speak to loosen up your throat
Here’s a 60 second introduction to get you started
1) If you remember just one thing as you leave here today, remember this…
2) State your objective
3) Tell them your position
4) What the end result will be
5) Transition with the next step
The Presentation
1) Focus on the message and audience, not yourself
2) Imagine the audience with a remote control (15 - 30 second attention span)
3) Engage the audience by trying to make eye-contact with everyone
4) Smile and move around
5) Speak, pause, breathe and speak again
Anyone can become an Exceptional Presenter. It’s about having the right focus, preparation and execution. Take advantage of these tips and remember, every time you speak, it’s a free commercial about you!
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Comments
07.29.09
You seem to know a lot about public speaking, for not liking to do it! I believe that even if it is something that someone might not like to do, it is inevitable.
The only way to get over the fears and to be successfull at public speaking, is to do it. A lot! I think also if you put it into perspective, it can be quite easy and second nature.
My dad had always preached to me the importance of becoming comfortable in public speaking. It relates back to most things in the workplace. Interviews, presentations, even networking. The more you do it, the less frightening it will become. My dad also reminds me to be comfrotable with what you are talking about, and not to rely on notes. He tells this story about how he prepared this long speech that he was supposed to give at Show East, it is the large motion picture industry convention that happens yearly. He had a great speech written, and when it came to 15 minutes before presenting, his notes were nowhere to be found. Luckily, he had memorized teh entire thing, with just notes to use as a guide.
I agree that you should have a plan of action as to how the speech should flow, but gauge the audience and react to their body movement. Play it by ear, and be comfortable with changing your talk on the fly!
07.29.09
Actually the title is more of a play on words than how I really feel.
I agree, have a Plan B because rarely does Plan A goes as planned!
08.15.09
I agree with this article. As a former stand-up comedian, I definitely know a thing or two about public speaking.
I personally believe that experience is the best way to get better at being comfortable speaking in public. Doing it over and over will teach you the hard way what exactly works and what doesn't. And you learn better what works best for YOU, so that you develop your own unique style. Some people do better by being very stoic and composed (think Barack Obama), others do better when they give off a more relaxed and informal vibe (think George W. Bush). But that also depends on the situation. The important thing is to be adaptable and know that there's no one way to give a successful presentation.
Another tip (which I'll elaborate on in my own blog) is to open strong and close strong. The fact is, people aren't going to remember everything you say. They'll usually remember the first and last things you said. So open with a strong message, and close with a strong message. The weaker material goes in the middle.
08.15.09
I love getting up in front of people and delivering speeches about things I love to talk about. There are a few things that go through my head when I deliver a speech:
1. Depending if it's for my company or class, these people came out to see ME speak and thus are interested with what I have to say.
2. The majority of people you speak to are already impressed with you because you're giving this speech because they would never have the courage too.
3. My favorite one: Public speaking for a lot of people is a fate worst than death, so I like to think I'm cheating death sometimes by doing it.
Good tips though, will definitely take them into account for my next presentation.
08.15.09
I agree with everything you just said Trace. I find that people are almost shocked that I did comedy, as if it were some grand act of courage.
Public speaking isn't that hard. You just have to prepare well, know what's expected of you, and deliver on it. And to be honest, all that's expected of you is that you make a few good points that people will remember long after you're done. Follow the unwritten contract between speaker and audience: "Speaker doesn't say anything too stupid, and the audience will keep listening." Yes there is pressure on you to perform, but if you're confident in what you've prepared, you'll do well.
08.19.09
Byron & Trace, thanks for your comments. I really like the comedian analogy. If you don't practice public speaking, you won't get better. For myself, I'm not where I want to be, but I'm a lot better than I was before. You're also right about what the audience remembers. The opening and closing are essential. Another great resource is "Presentation Zen." It teaches you how to use PowerPoint the right way...I might even do an entry on it in the future.
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