Hi QuickSilver,
often the main thing most presenters overlook is that doing a presentation with an audience should not be a one way thing. Many presenters simply get up, put on the PowerPoint slide show, run through 20 slides talking about the bullet points and then summarizing, leaving themselves 10-15 minutes for a question and answer session.
I mean really....is this what presenting is all about? And more importantly is this what a good presenter does?
I thought rather than give you 10 brief recommendations for improving and providing tour audience with a successful presentation delivery, it would be greater value to give you 5.
5 solid methods to improve your presentation and audience relationships.
- Come out fighting!
I'm sure that you've heard it before QuickSilver, but first impressions really do stick. Believe it. The first 3 minutes of your presentation are the most important. In general, an audience wants to like a presenter, and they will give you a few minutes at the beginning to engage them, but if you miss this opportunity, you may not be given another. Most presenters fail here because they ramble for too long about background and non interesting information regarding their personal/ professional history, etc. But really, if your audience wants a CV then leave them one, don't read it out to them.
- Be passionate
If you forced me to only give you one tip QuickSilver, it would be to be passionate about your topic and let that enthusiasm come out.
You need great content, yes, and you need to be professional, and you need well designed visuals. But none of these things will be worth anything if you do not have a deep, heartfelt belief in your topic. I would say that arguably the strongest criteria that separates a mediocre presenter from a great one is their ability to connect with an audience in an honest and exciting way.
Don't hold back QuickSilver. Be confident, and let the passion for your topic be evident for all to see.
- Don't camp on the podium
Far too many presenters get onto the podium and hide behind the lectern. Get closer to your audience by moving away from it or by standing in front it. A podium is a barrier. It seperates you and your audience, and that's not good!
The goal of your presentation is to connect with the audience.
Removing physical barriers between you and the audience will help you build rapport and make a connection.
- Short but perfectly formed
I know that none of us like to admit it, but in general we humans have a very short attention span.
When it comes to passively sitting and listening to a speaker, this span is even less.
Audience attention is greatest at the beginning of your presentation. One speaker has finished either presenting or introducing and the minds of your audience are alert. This is simply a the human condition, and nothing to be offended about. If one also adds the fact that the busy and most often tired knowledge worker of today, composes a large percentage of your audience in addition, then it's easy to see that the span is already shrinking.
So, evaluate your speech. if you have 45 minutes for your presentation, make sure that you are finished in 35 minutes.
It is better to have the audience wanting more of you than to feel that they have had more than enough. This is something most every preofessional entertainer is aware of. Elvis always left the building, and how many concerts have you been too where the band is finished, and then they come back to do 3 more numbers as an encore. That's a large encore whne one considers that typically the band has only played 10-12 tracks for the whole show. So by cutting 25% of the running time., the audience want more, and after the encore leave feeling that they received not only great value for money, but also refreshed. That encore "break" is intuitive.
Whilst you will most likely not be doing an encore QuickSilver, the principle is the same. It is better to finish 10 minutes early and have the audience hearing what you have to say, than to have them watching clocks for the last 10 minutes of your presentation and hearing only passively.
- Practise really does make perfect
Never mind the addage, practise really does make perfect. One of the biggest problems an audience has with any presenter is the "ums..." and the "errs..." nothing puts an audience off more than someone who clearly hasn't prepared for the presentation, and hasn't cued up their slides properly, or is fumbling about for cue cards, or visual aids.
It's perhaps the most disrespectful thing you can do to an audience short of turning your back on them whilst you speak.
If your audience has taken the time, and often paid for the privilege to hear you speak, then they not only deserve, but have every right to demand that provide them with value, and a reason to be their. Your presence is not enough.
Practise your presentation and speech over and over again. Time it. Nail it down to a point where you know that you are able to finish to a margin of plus/ minus 30 seconds.
It should almost be routine QuickSilver. As a presenter you are asked to perform. And again, as any entertainer will inform, often the final take is the easiest. The preparation, the rehearsals, and the practise, this is where the hard work really lies. So make sure that you put in your effort if you wish to receive response to it. Ok QuickSilver, follow these 5 golden rules, and I promise that the next time you present you'll notice a marked improvement in your audience response, acceptance, and approval.
After all, isn't that what every presenter is attempting to achieve. The successful communication of one's thoughts, ideas, and arguments to a group of often complete strangers.
Jonathan Stock, Presentation Consultant
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Topic: How do I improve my presentation skills delivery?
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