Dec 20 0 comments
Presentation

Public Speaking Topics: How to Go Through Choosing Great Topics

SIMON GARMAH wrote:


One of the first questions that come to your mind when deciding to make a presentation is: What are the public speaking topics that I have to choose from? What is the public speaking topic that will impress my audience the most?

First of all, going through the process of choosing a great topic could be an enjoyable experience. Looking for topics that you are passionate about could be even more enjoyable. Once you decide what your public speaking topic is.Then, go and do your homework. There are a lot of information sources as you know, but the best one is “libraries» as you will find reliable as well as credible books and documents. This is of course is very important when you have a topic related to human sciences,history,education,business…etc.However,If your presentation revolves around a current and up-to-date issue. Then Libraries are not the suitable source. The internet however is the place to get information from as it contains the most current topics and issues all over the world.

 

It is extremely important to consider you audience’s interests when looking for a topic. In other words, is your topic suitable for them? Does it interest them? Does is meet their expectations vis-à-vis your presentation?

 

You really need to be careful when researching your topic, make sure that it goes hand in hand with what they expect out of your presentation. Make sure to come up with a topic that interests both you and them. If you do so, then expect to have a promising as well as a fulfilling presentation.I hope this article was helpful to you.There  are a lot of information that you can learn about public speaking topics in general.What are you waiting here? Go and make look for one.



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Dec 20 0 comments
Coaching

Conquering Your Fears - How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

Marc Marseille wrote:


Everyone at some point in their life will have to confront some challenges. For some people it is the fear of public speaking. It is a fear that effects so many people from young to old. The fear of public speaking is directly related to the fear of failure or the fear of being in a room full of people. Overcoming these fears may seem difficult while in the moment, but the best way of dealing with your fears is to face them directly.

Fear is a deterrent that can hold you hostage to keep you from realizing your dreams. The presence of fear itself can serve as a self destructive force that can reduce confidence in several of your everyday functions. That truth has been told so many times by the cliché “there’s nothing to fear but fear itself”. Although it may sound like just some sort of pep talk, these words are absolutely true. As a matter of fact, I am going to share with you a personal experience I had while attempting to conquer my fears of public speaking.

Until my first public speaking assignment in the fourth grade, I never knew that I had a fear of speaking in public. I was quite social at that age and I was also popular, but the thought of getting in front of the whole classroom gave me more than just butterflies. To make matters worse, I was the first one called to give my presentation to the classroom. Being that I did not have a choice, I was forced to face my fears.

The presentation seem like it took forever for me to finish. I felt like it was a never ending bad dream, but at the end of the day, I received the highest marks in the class. The fact is even the kids that were not nervous, did not do well because they were experiencing something new. The only way to overcome the fear of anything for me is practice. It is easy to fear the unknown, but until you face your fears, you will never know what it is that you actually fear.

It can be hard or even seem impossible for someone trying to overcome their fears on their own, but it doesn’t have to be. Everyone needs an inspirational friend to confide in to release the uncomfortable self doubt that fear can create. I believe that fear is just a lazy mind that needs encouragement, so I try to surround myself with motivational positive individuals. If your surroundings prevent you from finding that inspiration, you can also wrap your thoughts around a good book. I have found some great inspiration from reading the short inspirational thoughts from The Eby Way by Gary Eby.

Overcoming the fear of public speaking was a one of my greatest triumphs. The fact that I was forced to face my fears gave me an unfair advantage over someone else that has to go it alone. My advice to anyone trying to face the fear of public speaking or any other fears is to remember that many more people before you had those same fears. If they can overcome those fears to become a great success, you can also. You must also remember that you really don’t have to face your fears yourself. If you take the time to feed your mind with positive thoughts, you will be able to conquer any challenges that life can offer.



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Dec 20 0 comments
Presentation

Public Speaking Tips

Syed Muzaffar Aqleem Tirmizi wrote:


I was going through different surveys over the internet and came across what people fear the most. Ironically I was surprised about the findings. The first one was the fear of dying and the other one was public speaking.

For one reason or the other people have the fear of speaking in public, saying what’s on their mind. The funny part is that they fear to stand in front of an audience for a while whereas the though of standing their and giving a long speech is next to impossible.

Here today I will share with you how you could overcome this fear and speak with more confidence in public.

Prepare yourself:

The first and most important thing is to preparing yourself for the topic. Have a good night sleep before the day of the speech. If you have not rested properly then your tiredness will show and will be an immediate failure in making a proper impression over the audience. If you are tired then your mind will not be able to function as sharply as it should while giving the presentation or speech. Cover all the aspects rehearse a lot. For the speech you need to have the confidence in your mind that it’s not a big deal, prepare yourself physically and psychologically as well. Have good food, do not go hungry to a speech and do not also go too full. This will influence your concentration as well.

On the same lines you need to be well prepared on the topic that you would be presenting. You need to consider the fact that the time of the audience is important as well so provide them with something worthy of their time. A research showed and is a matter of fact you are more confident when you have a command on the subject or at least know what you are talking about. So do your homework and prepare your subject of discussion.

Rehearse a few times:

Before delivering the speech you need to go through all the content in detail and see how you deliver everything. Even the best speakers in the history have been known to practice a number of times privately before delivering their speeches in front of an audience. If you can make a video of your performance do that, as this will give you precise information about the mistakes and will also guide you about your body postures and gestures. Give you an idea what are the mistakes and how to improve it. This is a really powerful technique if employed effectively could do miracles.

Dress accordingly:

First impression always ensures weather your audience will be compelled to take you seriously or not. If you look too casual or too formal for the speech it will give an amateurish expression to the audience. Knowing your audience, knowing your subject will help you to weigh what would be the proper attire for the speech.

Be focused and Natural:

During the speech two most vital things to keep in mind is to stay focused and be as natural as you can. Do not pretend to be like someone else. Maintain your original style which you have practiced during your rehearsals and perfected. Have the self confidence that you are the one on stage and everyone is down their in front of you listening. Feel your power. Feel the power of every word that comes out of your mouth. Have the belief that what you are saying is going to make a difference or is worth listening.

Have the right frame of mind:

To be a confident speaker you need to know that you are a confident speaker. This self realization will lead in development of the confidence that you are searching from within. If you have all the negative thoughts in your mind that it’s not going to go well or how you perform then most likely you will end up performing not up to the mark. However, if you have the optimistic attitude that everything will go well and you will come out a winner and even while you are speaking to people act as if you are a winner already. This will give you the right confidence that you are looking for and eventually will shine out in front of everyone too.

Keep these pointers in your mind before giving the speech and prepare yourself to be the confident speaker which you never thought you could be.



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Dec 20 0 comments
Presentation

The Secrets of Public Speaking - Follow These 10 Simple Tips

Andrew Rondeau wrote:


Is there anything more terrifying than facing an audience of strangers and knowing you have to deliver an entertaining and informative speech?

OK, some people thrive on this type of challenge! But the vast majority of us are at least a little nervous every time we have to speak publicly. In fact, fear of public speaking is probably one of the most universal fears throughout all walks of life.

Thankfully, public speaking is a fear that can easily be overcome with a little practice and the right approach. You can use the tips below to improve your public speaking skills.

1. Be prepared and practice.

The more you know what you want to say, the better you’ll get at it. First, brainstorm the topic of your speech and research it, if you need to. Write down all the points you want to make and then organize them into an outline. Fill in the details. Once you have the essential content of your speech written (at least in your head), transfer your main ideas to index cards. Write the main idea in dark ink on the front of the card, and if you think you’ll need cues, write them on the back of the card in pencil. Then, practice your speech out loud at least 3 to 5 times. If you can, practice it in front of a friend or family member and ask them for feedback and if that’s not possible, at least practice in front of a mirror. Do it until you can talk naturally, with only a glance at your cards. Don’t ever read your speech word for word!

2. Know your audience.

The better you know your audience, the easier it will be to connect to them as you speak. When you are able to make that connection, you’ll hold their attention. And seeing that you’re doing so will increase your confidence and comfort level, making it even easier for you to speak well. So, find out everything you can about the people you’ll be speaking to. Know what their “hot topics” are, inside jokes and so on. The more you know about what makes them tick and what interests them, the better speech you’ll be able to give.

3. Dress the part.

When you’re standing up in front of an audience, all eyes are on you. Like it or not, your image is important in this situation. So, dress to impress this particular audience. If you know your audience well (see #2), then you’ll have an idea how to dress. For example, you might dress in a conservative navy suit if you’re speaking to a group of bankers, but in a more casual, fashionable outfit when the audience consists of artists and designers.

4. Pay attention to the old KISS principle, that is, Keep It Short and Simple.

The key is to get your points across as quickly as possible. Don’t beat around the bush or try to impress with complex metaphors. Stories, however, can be a powerful public speaking tool, especially when they contain at least a hint of humor. But again, keep them short and on point. Shorter messages leave the impression of a savvy, smart speaker. They’re also easier for your audience to remember.

5. Speak clearly and at just the right tempo.

The mark of an inexperienced, uncomfortable public speaker is someone who speaks all in a rush, slurring words in her desire to get it over with. Don’t be this kind of speaker if you want to hold your audience’s attention. On the other hand, don’t speak so slowly your audience’s minds start to wander.

6. Use visual aids to illustrate your points.

Many people will understand your message more clearly when it is more visual. What we see often leaves a more lasting impression than what we hear. You can use slides, photographs, PowerPoint presentations, or even a simple whiteboard to add visual cues to your speech. One caution though—don’t turn your back on your audience as you use your visual aid, and don’t turn the lights on low for long periods, or you might be surprised to look up and see they are all sleeping!

7. Interact with your audience.

Lectures will rarely have the same impact on an audience that an open discussion will. Look for opportunities to involve your audience in what you are speaking about. Ask for validation of points you are making (”Am I right?” “Has that ever happened to you?”) or allow time for questions. Also, make sure to establish eye contact with your audience—and keep it—throughout your speech.

8. Speak with sincerity and passion.

You want to leave a lasting impression with the audience about your speech topic. So be sure you are true to yourself and your topic as you speak and don’t be afraid to inject passion and enthusiasm into the speech as well.

9. Come out from behind the podium.

You’ll project confidence and a sense of comfort when you have the courage to let go of the podium and stand in front of your audience with nothing to “protect” you. As you speak, you can walk back and forth across the stage, making eye contact with different people. Some speakers even walk out into the audience to get “up close and personal.” Be respectful of people’s personal space, though, if you decide to do this. You don’t want to be perceived as threatening or overbearing.

10. Close your speech in a memorable way.

Give your audience something to think about as you finish up your speech. Certainly, it’s a good idea to summarize your main points one more time, but then finish up with an inspiring story or quote, or leave them with a thought-provoking question.

Public speaking is an essential life skill that every person should strive to master. The ability to speak confidently in public will serve you in every part of your life, whether you are sharing opinions in a small group or delivering a planned speech in front of a group of hundreds.



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Dec 19 0 comments
Self Help

Public Speaking - Knowing When to Stop! Part I

J. Douglas Jefferys wrote:


The Pause

In our classes we have participants work through a number of exercises, and people quickly learn that indeed, it’s much more comforting when you can give your presentation to one person at a time. When you get to the point where instead of trying to crank your whole system up, you actually look at one person at a time, letting everything else go, you start a process in which you can settle down and feel much more comfortable. And again, the more comfortable you feel, the more comfortable the audience is going to feel, because they’re empathizing with you. And the more comfortable they are, the more likely they are to uptake your message.

Though most of our on-site participants pick up on the “Lock, Talk” aspects of the program quite easily, the hardest part for most people to implement is always the “& Pause” part. Yet as we’ll examine in this article, the pause is probably the most important component to the process of speaking well. As we’ve mentioned many times before, all great speakers, all people who have The Skills, have learned to embrace the pause.

This lesson will contain less reading than the first two because we really want you to study the upcoming videos, and replay them repeatedly, so that you get to the point where when you next get up to speak, you can “hear” the speakers in your mind and let them guide you through your delivery.

What we want you to thoroughly appreciate is how these masters of The Skills use the pause to such advantage. But why is the pause so important?

The pause is important for three reasons. The first is about allowing your audience to hear what you just said, and the second is about getting them to hear what you’re about to say next. The third purpose of the pause, which is crucial to forming the actual verbiage of your presentation, will form the basis for our next article.

It’s important to recognize that the pause in speech is equivalent to the paragraph in the written word. Think about this. When do you end one paragraph and begin a new one? With the movement to a new thought, a new concept, right? It works the same way in speech.

Too much information!

Can relate to the structure of older textbooks, especially science textbooks (organic chemistry, anyone?) that you’d open up and see page after page after page of text without a single break? Many of us didn’t make it through chemistry in college, because when we opened up the textbook, we flipped through a few pages and just said, “No way!”. You saw an unending stream of words for page after page and decided that your brain was simply not equipped to take in all that stuff.

That’s exactly how your listeners feel when you speak without pausing. You don’t see them slam the book shut on you, but they do silently decide to shut out much of what you say, choosing to wait for the handout. They still smile and nod when you look at them, but they’re not hearing you. They can’t hear you, because as we know from Rule #3, people only start listening when you stop talking.

Now compare the chemistry textbook to a newspaper. Until you pick one up and count, many people aren’t aware that the average newspaper paragraph contains only two sentences. (In USA Today, sometimes less than one). Why? Well, when you think about it, newspapers are in the same business you are when delivering a presentation.

Newspapers are there to deliver new information to people quickly, and then move on. Newspapers know they have one shot to give it to you, because most people don’t hold on to newspapers. They’re not used as reference material. You read them one time through, and then you toss them in the trash on your way off the train.

So the process of getting a lot of new information to people quickly involves being able to parcel it out into nice little bite-size morsels that the brain can ingest. The paragraph is a big key to that. Think about the physical structure of a paragraph. You read across the column: one sentence, two sentences, and then what do you get? You get a nice little piece of white space. That white space is brain rest.

And then even before you’re asked you to take in more information, you’re given a little indent - a bit more white space. A little more brain rest. That’s what a paragraph’s all about.

Speaking in paragraphs

The pause in speech works exactly the same way. In order to get your audience to really take in what you have to say, you’ve got to learn to stop talking and give their brains a little rest. Frequently. You’ve got to stop talking long enough for them to ingest that last thing you said, get a picture of it, and try to put it into a context that they know before moving on to the next thing you’re going to say.

The pause is absolutely the most important thing you can do when you speak. People have a hard time appreciating that, because they think that speaking is about talking. As we’ve said before: time can go on quite nicely even when not filled with your words! But as you listen to the speakers in the videos, you will begin to appreciate why those with The Skills not only embrace they pause, they strive to be masters of it.



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Dec 19 0 comments
Motivational

7 Public Speaking Survival Tips

Mark Tyrrell wrote:


to be terrified of public speaking - now it’s natural and fun.

Dry mouth, fast heart, sweaty palms, blank mind - yeah I’ve been there! It’s easy to fear public speaking. But I was never just content with overcoming fear. I wanted to be a great speaker. What I needed was a way of calming down and applying simple techniques and strategies to talk like a pro.

When I’d learned to relax (more of that later) I learned and applied the following four steps.

1 Reassure your audience - they need to know you know your stuff and you are human! 2 Hook them by being interesting and relevant. Tell them why what you are saying is relevant to them. 3 Inspire them by giving them information and ways of seeing that are new and applicable. 4 Leave them on a high by telling a story them encapsulates your central message . How do you become confident enough to apply the four steps?

Here’s some tips some of which are practical some of which are to do with the way you think about your public presentations and also how you can start to change the way you feel about them.

Tip One

Breath your way to calm. When you breath out you relax that’s why people sigh when they’re stressed.

Breathing in without breathing out causes hyperventilation and worsens anxiety. Just before your speech take five minutes breathing in to the count of seven and out to the count of eleven (quick count-not seconds!). On the out breath hold it a second before breathing in again. This will produce quick and lasting calm. Remember extending the out breath calms you down.

Tip Two

You have a responsibility as the presenter but relax you don’t carry all the responsibility. Presenting is a team effort. Audiences are responsible for politeness, extending their attention and attempting to learn. It’s not all you-it’s a meeting of two halves. Never mind how they judge you. How do you judge them?

Tip Three

Use metaphor and stories. We all experience life metaphorically. The most technical logical person spends at least two hours a night dreaming! Talk detail if necessary but present patterns with metaphors. Folk from 4 to 104 love stories. Use em.

Tip four

Captivate attention by using words that evoke all the senses. Describe how things look, sound, feel, smell and taste. Paint pictures and sensations in their minds with your words.

Tip Five

Vary your voice tonality and speed of delivery. Keep them alert and engaged. Convey energy when need be and slow down when you need to ‘draw them in close.’ You are the conductor to their orchestra. And pepper your talk with humour. Your willingness to be funny shows personal confidence and confidence is contagious.

Tip Six

Tell them what they are going to get. What they are currently getting and then what they have got from you. Sell your sizzle!

Tip Seven

Watch and learn from other great speakers until compelling, relaxed speaking is a part of you.

Rehearse positively. You need to rehearse how your going to feel as well as what you are going to present. Don’t think about your forthcoming presentation whilst feeling nervous as this creates an instinctive association between fear and presenting. This natural negative self-hypnosis is very common with nervous speakers.

Hypnotically rehearse your speech whilst feeling relaxed. This produces the right ‘blueprint’ in your mind. In fact when you do this enough times it actually becomes hard to be nervous!

All great speakers know how to use great self-hypnotic rehearsal. Hypnosis changes attitudes and can bring emotion under control. I used hypnosis, to change my instincts around public speaking. Now I just can’t get nervous whether it’s 50 or 500 people. The world needs great communicators. Go for it!



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Dec 18 0 comments
Business

Why Public Speaking is Good for Your Business

Neil Bakewell wrote:


You don’t really want the hassle do you? You’re a busy person running a growing business – why on earth would you want to go out there to event and put yourself through the stress of having to give a public speech.

Well, there is one key reason – public speaking will help generate wealth for you and your business.

I’m not talking about giving speeches at great big events, I’m not taking about becoming a motivational speaker. I’m taking about giving speeches at small networking events or club gatherings.

Say you are an accountant giving a speech about tax returns to a small group of 25 that met once a fortnight. You are suddenly seen as an “authority” – you are the “speaker” – you are an “expert”. It is highly likely that out of those 25 people – 1,2 or even more are going to give you the pleasure of handling their tax returns for them.

Repeat this speaking process once a week at various events and you have an excellent way of generating new business. Why? Because public speaking turns you into the “expert” and people like doing business with “experts”.

A wealthy stockbroker I know caught on the idea of giving short speeches at private schools across England. He focused on prep schools. He gave a talk to parents about saving for university fees – he showed them how much it would cost to send their little angels to university. He generated “concern” amongst his audience – even the prospect of university was still more than ten years away. He then gave them a “solution” – he explained one of his investment portfolios to them and how it could generate enough funds to cover the costs. In just three months he ahs attracted over £2million in new business -just by giving a few speeches.

If you are in business and you can solve a “problem” for people then public speaking is a great way to attract more wealth for you and your company.



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Dec 18 0 comments
Writing

Beyond Public Speaking 101

Silvana Clark wrote:


s to all of us sooner or later. You have been selected to give a speech to the board, a conference or even all your employees. Most managers know the basics of public speaking: don’t jingle coins in your pocket, make eye contact, have a great opening, don’t read your notes…..etc. But what if you need to make an important speech where you need to go beyond Public Speaking 101? The following are some ways to present your material in a professional manner. Rather than simply reading your PowerPoint notes, try some of these ideas:

- Check the room out ahead of time. Even if you are speaking in your company conference room, arrive a few minutes early to make sure everything is in order. Do you have a fresh glass of water? Did a previous group leave a candy wrapper on the floor? This is the time to check your microphone to avoid the amateur act of blowing and tapping the mic and saying “Is this on?”

- Have a dynamic opening. Yes, I know, in Speech 101 you were taught to open with a joke or talk about the weather. Why not open with a dramatic statement that gets everyone focused on your presentation? How about starting with, “Last week my neighbor called our reservation desk…. The group will immediately be wondering about the type of service your neighbor received. The dynamic opening conveys you have important material to present.

- Vary the length of your sentences. Instead of rambling on about the need to implement new ways of doing business, simply state, “These changes start today.” Then pause so the words have time to sink in. Look at the success of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign. People around the world recognize those three words.

- While talking about short sentences, remember to keep the speech as short as possible. Yes, you have deep words of wisdom to share, but most people have 8-10 minute attention spans. Plan to add an additional point of interest every 8-10 minutes of your presentation. Use a prop, tell a story, or give the group a subject to discuss for 2-3 minutes. If I get to a point in my speech where I see the audience needs a change of pace, I ask, “Who has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years?” A few people raise their hands so I invite 3 of them to come on stage with me. As they arrive, I hang large signs around their neck saying, “Wise One”. This always gets a laugh and I tell the audience they are fortunate to have over 60 years of experience in front of them. Each of the Wise Ones shares a few thoughts on what the hospitality industry was like 20 years ago. Then I ask them for insight on a point I made in my speech such as, “We were talking about motivating staff. What do you do to motivate staff?” This activity provides useful information yet also breaks up the monotony of one person talking continuously.

- Use humor appropriately. If you’ve never told a joke before a group, this is not the time to start. Some people are naturally funny. Some people are not funny. It’s as simple as that. You don’t have to do a stand-up comedy routine to be a successful speaker. Telling a light-hearted story that pertains to your speech has just as much impact as a string of one-liners.

- Planning to close your speech with a question and answer session? That’s fine as long as you have a closing anecdote or statement after the last question. So often speakers answer questions and then say, “Well, if there are no more questions, I guess I’m done.” That is weak!! (Notice the short sentence.) Instead, close by saying, “Thank you for your questions. I’ll close this afternoon by telling you what one of our employees told me over lunch last week….” That way there is a definite conclusion to your presentation rather a feeble, “Thank you”.



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Dec 18 0 comments
Presentation

10 Ways to Reduce the Fear of Public Speaking

Julie Hanson wrote:


1. There are many people who are scared of public speaking. In my opinion you need to prepare fully for the presentation or speech. Make sure you know what you’re going to say well in advance. You should never ‘wing it’ and believe that something useful will come out of your mouth! Normally it doesn’t unless you’re very confident.

2. Print out your speech or presentation and write notes beforehand. If you are giving a presentation then write notes alongside the slide pictures. Don’t write too much though or you’ll get confused and lose track. Just make some brief bullet points that you can follow and refer back to during the presentation.

3. Practice, practice, practice in front of whoever you can: the dog, cat, the mirror or your spouse (if you have the nerve). This may seem quite daunting and sometimes giving the presentation or speech in front of one person at home is worse than a room full of people. But it will give you more confidence.

4. Join a Network Marketing company to increase your chances to give a presentation. When you join a company you are given the opportunity to present in front just a few people at first, then the audience size will increase as will your confidence. This may seem scary but you need to confront your fear to eliminate it.

5. Ask for positive feedback or constructive criticism during your preparation. Remember, whatever the feedback, don’t take it personally. This feedback is for your benefit to perfect your speech. The more feedback you can get about the speech itself or the way you are delivering it then the better you will be on the day.

6. Punctuality is key. Turn up early for the presentation. Don’t turn up 5 minutes before or even worse, don’t turn up late! You will get very flustered and this will increase the nerves that you might be feeling. This will come across in the presentation to the audience too.

7. To get you through the presentation imagine the audience is naked! This thought has kept me amused throughout a lot of my presentations that I have given! Also remember that the audience has come along to hear what you have to say. They are not sitting waiting for you to slip up or to make a mistake. So think positively and enjoy yourself! The audience won’t know if you’re nervous, they won’t be able to see your hands shaking!

8. To deliver a good presentation you really need to know your subject matter. Make sure you have done your research and know what you’re talking about. You will then find it easy to deliver the presentation. It also helps if you enjoy your subject matter. Sometimes this is not easy if it is a presentation that you have been forced to do, but if you make it enjoyable you’ll be more enthusiastic.

9. Get a mentor to help with your presentation skills. Again you could join a Network Marketing company. They have mentors with many years of experience of presenting to huge audiences, sometimes even thousands. They will be very open to helping you to improve your skills. I have had a lot of free training during my time in a network marketing company and this has helped me to overcome my fear.

10. Turn public speaking into a hobby, join a local amateur dramatics society to practice speaking in public. This will increase your confidence whilst you’re having fun. Playing a character may help to reduce your fear of being on stage. You could also join your local Toastmaster’s Association where you can practice speaking in public regularly.



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Dec 17 0 comments
Self Help

Public Speaking - Top 10 Tips Part II

J. Douglas Jefferys wrote:


Know that public speaking is the number one human fear. So if you have ever been or are a bit nervous about giving presentations in public, realize you are not alone. Most people have the same problem. Continued below is our Top 10 tips to making presenting easy and comfortable for both you and the audience.

Tip No. 6: Delivering visuals

So now you have a nice, clearly designed visual. How do you mechanically deal with that visual? What do you do physically to present it to the audience? Should you look at the visual? Should you talk to the screen? Should you not talk to the screen?

We suggest that you keep the following things in mind when it comes to delivery with visuals: As soon as your visual is presented on the screen, whether it be from a laptop, or from a slide projector, or even from an overhead projector, your audience will immediately focus one hundred per cent of their attention on the screen.

So you effectively disappear from the room. You vaporize. You could drop your pants, you can blow your nose - it doesn’t matter, because until everyone in the audience has figured out for themselves exactly what all that information means, you’re effectively not there.

Tip No. 7: Effects

Keep in mind: if there are too many bells and whistles, if there is too much movement, if there are too many sounds, if there are too many things going on, people will be more interested in figuring out how to do that with their own presentations then they will be in the actual knowledge you are presenting.

And that’s if your dramatic appliqués are good. Most of the time, effects just add confusion, or worse yet, disconnection. Make sure that your message is more important and of value to the audience than the design features of your presentation.

Tip No. 8: Pointers

We still see some people using the old wooden pointer. We have seen people actually snap that wooden pointer in half. We have also seen people play collapsible pointers like an accordion. The point is, you don’t need a pointer.

An effectively designed and delivered presentation eliminates the need for pointers of any kind. Your data should call attention to themselves. Laser pointers seem to be very popular these days, but very rarely does anybody in the audience like them. In fact, they are pretty annoying to most people and even a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon can’t hold those things still.

Tip No. 9: Hardware

One of the things that you definitely want to make sure is that you show up early to your presentation. Make sure all of the equipment is in working order, the overhead projector, the laptop whatever it is you are using. Check everything out yourself. Just because the banquet manager came in ten minutes ago and told you everything was working last night doesn’t mean it is actually going to work.

We can’t tell you how many times, and we’ve traveled everywhere from India to Indiana teaching seminars, somebody told us something was working, and it did not.

So for that reason you have to show up early and make sure everything is working. Make sure that you can actually work it. Make sure that you actually see it working. It is up to you and it is your responsibility because when you start your presentation you can’t say say, “Well you know, somebody in the banquet department told me just a few minutes ago that this was working.” Don’t be embarrassed. Don’t be caught off guard.

Tip No. 10: The Q&A process

This process can be very, very difficult because when you are making a presentation, you are in essence in control. You have designed that presentation. You have created some excellent visuals. You know your presentation well enough to know what’s coming next.

The problem with Q&A is that it is the unknown. You don’t know what is going to happen. Somebody can throw you a question out of left field. Perhaps someone can make you look bad. There is so many unknowns that we need a system to be able to deal with that unknown, and be sure that you look good in the process.

One of the first things you need to know is what to do when somebody asks you a negative question. Many of us were taught to repeat the question back to the questioner. Do you suppose there might be something else we could do other then repeat a negative question? If you repeat that negative question, what are you doing? You are in essence confirming that it might be true.

Now actually repeating a question is not always a bad idea. It gives you time to think. It gives the rest of the audience a chance to hear what the question is. But if the question imparts a negative, there is another way.

Instead of repeating the question verbatim, try this: Listen closely to the question so that you are hearing not just the words, but the essence of the question. Ask yourself what is at the kernel of the question when all the negative, inaccurate, untrue or personal agenda items are stripped away. Then rephrase the question around that kernel, signaling to the audience that you are actually searching deeper into the topic that the questioner did!

Because Q&A typically is the last thing that happens in a presentation, it is so important and vital you end on a positive note. We can’t tell you how many times a presentation which started off well didn’t end that way, because it all fell apart in Q&A.



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