2. 5½ top tips for successful presentations
#1: admit your nerves
what are you scared of?
what are the symptoms of fear?
it’s normal to be nervous
admit your nerves
stop being selfish
managing nerves
• how you stand
• how you breath
• How you speak – pace, pitch, tone
• eye contact
• smile
3. 5½ top tips for successful presentations
#2: know your audience
research your audience
let the audience see a human being
let the audience know you know
something about them
let the audience know you are there to
help them solve a problem
4. 5½ top tips for successful presentations
#3: be aware of your personal impact
your voice
your body language
your dress
5. 5½ top tips for successful presentations
#4: structure is key
beginning
• strong
• engaging
• outline
• build rapport
middle
• main points
• be careful of ‘content overload’ – how
many points per number of minutes??
end
• tell ‘em what you told ‘em!
6. 5½ top tips for successful presentations
#5: using presentation tools
you!!!
• the best tool there is!
flipchart
• really handy for recording
• can create audience rapport / participation
handouts
powerpoint
• everywhere and really draining
• if you have to use it – use it when necessary and don’t be
afraid to turn it off
7. 5½ top tips for successful
presentations the ½
never apologise
Nerves are part of the territoryTap into the energy that fear producesRecognise that fear is normal – Lawrence OlivierSee the audience as an ally – they are not there to ‘get you’Concern about these things is self absorption. A good presenter thinks of the audience first and themselves second. If you are doing it the other way around you are not giving value to your audience.My own examples:Fire alarmsKnickers in skirtButton flying off and hitting an audience member in the eye
Research your audience:Who? Special needs? How many? Where? Why? What? Only you? Programme? Etc etcExampleDidn’t know who to expect today but used questioning techniques to find outLet the audience see a human being:SmileMake eye contactShare something of yourself – your background, why you have the right to be here etc.Let the audience know you know something about them (importance of research!)Relevant anecdotesRefer back to comments they have madeAddress them by name if possibleStress ‘common ground’ – I understand that because… / I can fully appreciate why … / Yes, that happened to me …Let the audience know you want to help them solve a problemAsk questionsGive examplesAsk audience members to share so that others in the group can find common ground
It’s you the audience have come to see – not the back of your head!
Self effacing, apologetic, “sorry”, “I’m new to this” – even worse? – “so sorry, I’m not very good at speaking in public”
