Whenever I have to speak in front of a group, this quote from journalist Roscoe Drummond always pops into my head: “The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you are born and never stops until you get up to speak in public.”
Presentations are one of the best ways of delivering information, but not everyone is a natural public speaker. For me, it was always hard to talk in front of people I did not know. That’s why these tips have been collected to make the job that much easier for you.
1. Practice, practice, practice
Like everything in life, you’ll get better at public speaking if you practice. Write a script for your presentation if you need it, and get it down by heart. Then, spend some time running through the whole thing. The more you deliver it, the easier it will be when the time comes.
2. Arrive early and get set up
Nothing is worse than getting to the venue late and rushing to get set up before your audience comes in. Arrive early, and take your time getting to grips with the technology. You’ll feel much more relaxed and ready when it’s time to present.
3. Use presentation services
To feel confident in presenting, it’s helpful to have a presentation that looks amazing. There’s plenty of presentation services out there that will help you get your information together. Try Prezi, Boom Essays, Visme, Custom Writing Service, PowToon, UK Writings, and Emaze to create a professional slideshow.
4. Take time to pause
When nervous, many people tend to start speaking faster. Subconsciously, they’re trying to get the presentation over with, but this doesn’t help at all. Instead, the audience can’t understand what they’re saying. Take your time and leave room for pauses. Your audience will be able to follow you, and the pauses will give them a chance to take in new information.
5. Work on your body language
Power poses are a great way to make you feel more confident on the stage. This doesn’t mean you have to pose like a Power Ranger when you’re presenting, though. Instead, adopt a stance just before you go out. This confidence will last even after you’ve stopped holding the position.
6. Admit you don’t have all the answers
It sounds scary, but you don’t have to know everything. If someone asks you a question that stumps you, admit it. You’ll get more respect for that than bumbling your way through an unhelpful answer.
7. Entertain your audience
You may be delivering important information, but you need to keep your audience interested. Balance information with some well-timed jokes, or a good humored slide. It’ll help break up the presentation and keep your audience engaged.
8. Don’t try and cover too much
Your presentation has to cover a lot of information, but remember that you can’t include everything. You only have a finite amount of time, so don’t cram in too much information. You’ll be stressed trying to fit it in, and your audience will come away more confused than they were before.
9. Engage your audience
A presentation doesn’t have to be a one-sided conversation. Audiences are more likely to be interested in what you have to say if you let them have their say, too. Keep the balance right, and everyone can get a lot out of it.
10. Smile
It sounds simplistic, but smiling can do a lot for your presentation skills. The act of smiling produces endorphins, making you feel good. It also makes you look much more friendly and approachable.
Photo: Lauren Kallen