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Almost everyone feels a bit nervous about delivering a presentation before a group. Some people would rather undergo a root canal than experience the anxiety of giving a speech.
Follow some basic guidelines for preparation and delivery, and you can transform
your nervousness into positive energy that achieves the results you desire.
The secrets to successful presentations are simple, based on common sense. Many
people, however, fail to employ them.
Step One: Purpose
What's the purpose of your presentation? There are many reasons to make a speech
or announcement, and you need to clearly define your goal. Do you have to
deliver bad news to your department? Do you require a decision from your
superiors on a problematic business situation? Do you have a solution and want
to convince people? Are you trying to sell a solution or product?
Most presenters try to persuade their audience to buy into specific ideas. They
must sufficiently inspire and motivate listeners to take action or give the
green light to act on suggested solutions.
You need to lead your audience through the decision-making process so members
can go through it with you. Unless they believe they "own" the decision, they
won't act upon it.
It's critical to avoid spelling everything out for them. Let them "see" what the
problems are and which decisions are needed. They will then be happy to engage
in finding solutions and enthusiastic about acting on them.
Step Two: Know Your Audience
Your audience is not merely composed of the people you'll face when you deliver
your speech. It also includes those who may be influenced or affected by your
proposal. Before you think about what to say, you must determine who your
audience is and what they'll need from you to buy into your argument.
Make sure you're selling the benefits of your solution—not the features. For
example, if your new program benefits the company by saving time and money, this
is what you should emphasize. It will appeal to your audience much more than any
discussion of actual program features. Always focus on your audience's
interests.
Step Three: Structure Your Presentation
Most of the time, it's wise to open with a story that reveals a picture of the
problem at hand. Stories engage people, especially if they're personal and real.
They create an authentic connection and grab people's attention. Remember: Your
first 30 seconds are the most crucial.
Follow up your story with an honest analysis of the problem, and back it up with
research statistics. The Internet makes this part of your task easy, but be
cautious about spending too much time on stats.
Then, present the solution. This is the "good stuff," as people want to know
relief is in sight. Spell out the benefits to your audience.
Strengthening Your Presentation
If you use slides or PowerPoint graphics, don't become overly attached to them.
They should supplement your talk and illustrate key points, not deliver the
presentation for you. Don't use graphics that contain every word you say, and
never read directly off the screen.
Limit text to subheadings, which should be large enough to read from the back of
the room. Don't talk to the screen instead of your audience. And always be
prepared for the possibility of a power or technological failure; bring handouts
and have an alternative way to deliver your speech in case there's no screen.
Managing Anxiety
Some experts suggest memorizing the first 60 seconds of your speech. If you do
this, make sure it sounds natural and authentic. Because you're likely to open
with a personal story, introduce yourself and explain why your topic is so
important to you. This makes the first 60 seconds sound natural, even if you
memorize your text.
Don't draw attention to your nervousness by telling your audience about it. You
can share your feelings, but not your anxieties. Your goal is to present
yourself authentically, as a real human being.
Don't fidget or fiddle with your hair, clothes or body parts. Practice your
speech in front of a mirror as often as you can, and minimize nervous tics by
standing behind a podium, if necessary. Practice drawing a deep breath for
instant relaxation. Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. writes articles for business and executive coaches and
consultants. She provides articles on leadership and executive development for
sale, and formatted into customized newsletters. Get Patsi's Secrets of
Successful Ezines 7-Step Mini-Course at
http://www.EzineSecretsMiniCourse.com
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