PRESENTATION TIPS - 2

1. Overcoming FEAR. Don’t “victimize” yourself. If you make yourpresentation reluctantly as a necessary part of your job, your negativeattitude will show. You cannot think about mistakes you “might” make.Reverse that self-inflicted negative attitude. You are giving a presentationto help your audience – remember you are there to HELP them! That fact can change the entire way you look at this opportunity – and improve your presentation.
2. Your audience wants you to succeed. Your have the wonderful opportunity to help someone – which is the greatest positive action available to a human being. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Your audience is your friend. As a friend, they will not only tolerate your mistakes but help you overcome them. All speakers make mistakes. And your attitude and preparation will help you minimize mistakes.
3. Overcoming nervousness. One speaker had a personal technique of looking at everyone directly in the eye and imagining each individual as owing him money. This mental attitude aided him in helping the audience to pay their bills. Another speaker looked at the men in front of him and saw them sitting in their underwear. Their condition enabled the speaker to help them and he was at ease. These tips help to equalize the speaker and audience plus relieve tension. But the nervous speaker victimizes himself and imagines all of HIS disadvantages. You have a choice of eliminating your imagined fears or equalizing the two sides. However you do it, learn to be at ease and be your natural self.
4. Audience connection. Good eye contact is essential. Always talk to individuals in the audience – never to an audience as a whole. Avoid looking over the tops of their heads. Get the attention of the audience and keep it. The skillful speaker can tell if the audience is slipping out of his grasp. When you see the signs of coughing, fidgeting, wandering attention, shifting in seats, drooping eyelids, looking around or at their watch – it is time to conclude your remarks.
5. Speed and timing – sometimes nervousness makes us speak rapidly. Slow down and speak distinctly with feeling. Pause for dramatic effect to keep the audience mentally on the edge of their seats. This is especially effective after a provocative question. Time your presentation during practice so that you get a “feel” for pace. Stay within your allotted time.
6. More on gestures. Keep your hands away from your mouth and face. Don’t tug on your ears, pop your knuckles, and play with the microphone, cords, pointer, water bottle or pop the lid on a marker. Use a pointer or
remote effectively, and then put it down.
7. Structure. Tell the audience what you are going to say. Say it. Summarize what you said. Sit down. Close with a positive appeal or statement. You do not have to close with “Thank You”.