It’s that time again…the monthly meeting. You break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Whether you present to your managers or your employees you are saying to yourself:What if I mess up? What if I repeat myself? What if
audience doesn’t like what I say? What if I forget a part of my speech? What if I look nervous?
It’s okay! You’re not only one feeling this way. The Book of Lists states that #1 fear is speaking in public. This fear is greater than fear of death.
Well, I have answers to your fears and can help you become an outstanding presenter. These 10 tips will help you become more confident making presentations that achieve results.
1. Start with an End in Mind Ask yourself, “Why am I speaking?” “What do I want audience to do after listening to my speech?” This will help you focus on message you want to share with your audience. It will help you focus on who is your audience, key points, and what you want your audience to do after listening to you.
2. Keep It Simple Keep your presentation simple by learning to “speak to express instead of speaking to impress.” What I mean by speaking to impress is when you see speakers using $5 words for $2 situations during speeches and they look uncomfortable doing it. Another example of this is when presenters overuse PowerPoint. Your audience will soon lose interest in what you are saying.
Also keep it simple with structure of your speech. An opening, body with tree major points, and a closing will help you connect with your audience. Just be sincere, concise, and simple in your presentation and you will always connect with your audience.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice Master your presentation by practicing. Here’s secret to practicing…first read your speech to yourself 2-3 times. This allows you to work out majority of rough spots in your presentation before you start rehearsing.
Then rehearse in front of a mirror or even better a video camera or tape player. Also try to rehearse in front of someone whose opinion you value.
Then practice as close as possible to your speaking environment as possible. For example, if you will be speaking behind a lectern, practice with your notes on an ironing board.
4. Visualize Success Before going to sleep night before a presentation I take time to visualize success of presentation. The key to making visualization work for you is involving as many senses (sound, touch, sight, smell, etc.) as possible in your visualization. Have you ever had a dream where it seemed so real you awoke in a cold sweat (You don’t need to tell me what dream was)? It was because you used all your senses and that dream became so real to you that you needed to escape from it.
Visualize yourself giving a successful presentation where you see yourself as a confident presenter, hear yourself handling questions, etc. Visualize successful presentations so that it becomes real.
5. Eat Elephant I ask timeless question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Piece by piece. The same answer applies to presenting to a group. How do you present to a group? Person to person. Break group into individuals.
“How do I present to a large group?” is one of biggest questions people have when giving presentations. Get personal. Whenever possible, I will make sure I arrive early to room I’m presenting in and plant myself by entrance. I will then greet as many people as possible that walk through door. I will shake their hands and let them know I am glad they came. Here’s a tip for guaranteeing a positive audience:
