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6 Steps for Establishing Yourself as an Expert
Like the Internet itself, online marketing resources such as blogs, chat rooms, and user groups are vast and puzzling. On one hand they offer that elusive “promise land” of free and effective marketing. On the other, they embody a “time sink” of...

A New Idea For Venture Capitalists
Is it not possible, Mr/Ms Venture Capitalist, that aggressive publicity and promotion might salvage the occasional, marginal investment? Obviously, it hurts when a promising business project you backed financially goes down the tube. But...

Chandler Hill: Body Language Can Make or Break Interviews
What you are saying in a job interview may not be coming out of your mouth. Experts agree that non-verbal elements such as appearance, posture and eye contact can account for 60 percent of what you're communicating in a job interview. "Confidence...

Planning Special Events - Part Two - The Master Plan
"The master plan is the plan you create to ensure you have covered your bases when planning your event. Doing so will increase your chances of having a wildly successful outcome, leading to more referrals, happy clients and more sales." Heidi...

Quicker Success through Business Kits and Startup Guides
Quicker Success through Business Kits and Startup Guides by J. Stephen Pope You have always had an interest in starting a particular type of business. However, realistically you know that you lack the expertise required. How can you startup the...

 
Five Tips to Present Like a Pro

Five Tips to Present Like a Pro

Over the last five years, I've noticed a dramatic change in the field of presentation skills. Increasingly, experts support the idea that being a "good enough" speaker is no longer "good enough." Mere competency as a speaker is no longer enough to sell your ideas, bring communities together, or move clients to action.

What are the reasons for this change?  I believe it results from a unique confluence between popular and business cultures. The private sphere has become more public, reality shows rule, PowerPoint is the norm, and the idea of individual "performance" is key. Whatever the reasons, the expectations of ordinary audiences have risen. It's no longer good enough to be good enough.

How can presenters overcome these new challenges?

Here are five essential tips to ensure you are better than "just good enough."

1.  Ensure that you have a good design.

More presentations fail because of poor design than because of poor delivery. In fact, high quality design actually improves delivery.

Here are the three factors most likely to cause poor design:

-Composing your presentation without an "end in mind." -Using PowerPoint to compose your presentation. -Overlooking your audience's needs, wants, anxieties, biases, "personality..."

How to avoid these pitfalls:

Always ask yourself: "What do I want to this presentation to achieve?" Many speakers who want to persuade their audiences compose "information-only" speeches. Guess what? The audience, in most cases, will NOT fill in the blanks. They will NOT be moved to action. Learn how to construct the right speech for the job. (I can help - drop me a line at guila@guilamuir.com.)

PowerPoint is meant to support your message, not to be used as a composing tool. You must identify your desired outcome(s) and design your presentation to achieve those. The best tools to do this are a pen and paper, (or Word if you are so inclined.) Composing on PowerPoint increases the chance that you will deliver an unfocused, rambling "data-dump."

Know your audience. Design your presentation to answer the question, "What's in it for THEM?"

2. Be fit.

The best presenters, even the "low-key" ones, use a lot of personal energy. If you feel out of shape, find an activity that strengthens you, speeds up your metabolism, and gives you stamina. It doesn't matter what  "size" you are. It does matter how


fit you are.

3.  Remember that presenting is a relationship event, not a performance event.

Above all, effective presenters connect with their audiences. The presentation becomes a large conversation. Everyone feels more comfortable, even when the topic is thorny.

How to connect? Greet people individually as they come in the door. Hob-nob at the refreshment table. Learn people's names. Make eye contact. Ask questions. Show empathy.

4. Breathe. Be yourself. Have fun!

This tip is integrally attached to point #3. When we are authentic, we connect authentically with people. They are more apt to listen to us and receive our message. When we have enough oxygen to fuel our brains, we don't forget our material. We are energized. When we're having fun, the audience is more receptive.

5. Remember that your internal voice never tells the whole truth.

You're done with the presentation. You're privately debriefing the experience inside your brain.  Some presenters will hear mean-spirited comments--crueler by far than any comment they might dream of giving someone else. Other presenters hear overly grandiose feedback, telling them that they did much better than they actually did.

Many presenters don't hear much self-feedback at all, since they became oblivious of their actions and words once they began their presentations (not a good thing.)

How do we discover how effective we actually were?

Elicit feedback from people you trust will tell you the truth. Take their comments seriously, and then decide what, if any, changes you want to make. Don't depend totally on your internal voice.

Approximately 50 million presentations are given every day across the United States. Since you sometimes give one of those presentations, why not rise beyond being "just good enough?" Integrate these tips and you'll present like a pro!

For information on any of these tips, and for further speaking strategies, I invite you to write to Guila Muir at guila@guilamuir.com.

Article Copyright 2005 Guila Muir and Associates

About the author:

Guila Muir and Associates is the premiere Train-the-Trainer firm on the West Coast. Using participatory adult education since 1981, Guila Muir & Associates has developed the skills of hundreds of trainers, facilitators, and presenters in business and government. Get our newsletter, full of tips and techniqus, by going to

 

How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear
A report that covers the common causes of public speaking fear and tips to overcome it. Book available.
www.stresscure.com
 
Allyn and Bacon Public Speaking Website
A five-step guide to preparing and delivering effective speeches.
wps.ablongman.com
 
Public Speaking & Speech Writing
A free guide to speech writing and delivery for every occasion. From best man speeches to eulogies.
www.speechtips.com
 
Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
Art of Public Speaking. Hints and tips on public speaking, ... On the Job: Public Speaking Tips - Twelve Steps to Great Presentations by Elise Bauer. ...
www.aresearchguide.com
 
10 Tips for Successful Public Speaking - Toastmasters International
10 Tips For Successful Public Speaking. Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. ...
www.toastmasters.org
 
Welcome to Toastmasters International where we are"Making ...
Non-profit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924. Members learn how to lead ...
www.toastmasters.org
 
Strategies to Succeed in Public Speaking - School for Champions
Contents of online lessons to succeed in public speaking from the School for Champions.
www.school-for-champions.com
 
Public Speaking Home Page
Humor and quotes to help your speech - or just for your own enjoyment. History / Careers The history of public speaking and potential career options for you ...
www.mhhe.com
 
Public speaking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Public speaking is speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to ... Public speaking is almost as ancient as speech itself. ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN COUNSELING AND CAREER SERVICES
Public speaking anxiety is very common among both college students and the general ... The most common form of Social Phobia is public speaking anxiety. ...
www.utm.edu
 
Painless Public Speaking
At Painless Public Speaking we keep you up to date with what's new in the world of ... Painless Public Speaking is not about the theory but the "how-to" ...
www.publicspeaking.com.au
 
Public Speaking from Uncommon Knowledge
Public speaking couldn’t be further from your mind and your manager tells you have to do a presentation to fifty colleagues next week. What’s your response? ...
www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk
 
Public Speaking Tips by Uncommon Knowledge
It’s possible for public speaking to be fun and hugely satisfying. Once you’ve enjoyed a presentation, or even part of it, your self confidence will get a ...
www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk
 
Public Speaking Skills from Mind Tools - Speaking Tips & Techniques
Learn to speak and present clearly and effectively. Improve your speaking skills with this Mind Tools guide to speaking effectively in public.
www.mindtools.com
 
Public Speaking Information
Advanced Public Speaking Institute- -More than 120 mini articles on professional level ... Click here for additional articles on Public Speaking Information ...
www.selfgrowth.com
 
Basic Public Speaking, 2nd Edition - The Teachers and Students ...
New public speaking text for middle and high school Language Arts, ESL teachers and students. Written by a trained counselor and experienced teacher.
www.capital.net
 
public speaking tips - presentation skills tips, public speaking tips
presentation skills & public speaking monthly tips by Lenny Laskowski, Professional Speaker.
www.ljlseminars.com
 
Public Speaking - The Art of Speech Making
Public Speaking - Hints and tips on Public Speaking Skills, dealing with public speaking nerves and anxiety, public speaking skills and public speaking ...
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Advanced Public Speaking Institute
Public speaking articles, seminars, and educational materials.
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Public Speaking Training-Presentation Skills & Public Speaking courses
Public speaking training - Overcome your fear of public speaking with our presentation skills classes. We offer presentation skills training seminars, ...
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