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* As you greet, look for pleasant, upbeat people. Then say something like, “I’m especially glad you made it today. As a matter of fact there’s a sit in
front row with your name on it. Please enjoy!” The audience member will usually chuckle and you started personalization process. Also this allows you to stack all friendly audience members in front rows. It’s always nice to see friendly faces in front row.
Remember, when giving a presentation, it’s not about your needs or concerns. It’s about audience’s needs or concerns. Make it personal and eat elephant!
6. Nail Your Opening It’s first words your audience hears. Know your opening like back of your hand. Know exactly what you are going to say. Once you get started and gain some momentum you will start to gain confidence for rest of your speech.
It helps to pause for 3-5 seconds before you are about to start your presentation so that can focus on what you are about to say. 7. Nail Your Ending It’s last words your audience hears and reminder about you. You can have a great opening and body and have a bad ending and your audience your always remember how you ended.
Ask your audience to take action, think about an idea, etc. so that they understand why they are there.
8. Backup if You Forget If you forget what you are about to say or lose your place in presentation do following:
* Stop speaking. Take two steps backward. Then take a deep breath. Collect your thoughts. Smile. Take two steps forward and proceed with your presentation. * Go back and repeat last sentence. That will help trigger what comes next in your presentation. * If you really go blank, ask an audience member what was last sentence you said. Also, if they have handouts of your speech, you can ask audience what is next subject we will discuss. You will be surprised how many people will volunteer this information to help you. This will give you time to collect your thoughts, involve audience, and go forward with your presentation.
Note: If you forget a piece of information, collect yourself, and then go forward. Never say, “I’m sorry.” Unless audience has a copy of every single word of your speech they will never know you forgot something.
9. Realize Nervousness is Tool of Great Presenters Believe it or not, all presenters, whether professional or occasional, are nervous when presenting. The difference is best presenters use nervousness to their advantage by turning nervousness into positive energy. Here are some tips to control nervousness:
* Whenever possible walk from back of room to burn some of nervous energy. * Slow your breathing * Stretch
10. Get Excited Get excited so that audience is excited about hearing your presentation.
Some of ways you can become excited is:
* Remember what you say is important and can make a difference for your audience. * Every opportunity to present is a chance for you to succeed. * Every time you speak you become better than last time. * Presenting will expose me to countless opportunities I wouldn’t have by not presenting.
So next time you have opportunity to present apply above techniques. You will have fun while presenting on a whole new level.
Ed Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, "Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy Professional."
