Have you ever struggled to give a presentation at work, school, or some other event? If you are like millions of Americans, chances are you have! Thankfully look no further than this blog for some quick and easy ways to clean up your material and speaking skills for your next presentation. (You can thank me later!)
First and foremost make sure that the information you present can be easily relatable to your audience. If this means changing wording, or focusing more heavily on topics that are more important to the particular group, than do not hesitate to tweak your material. The whole point of the presentation is to communicate effectively to get your point across. Give the information in a sequential way that can be easily processed by your audience. By doing this, you are more likely to accomplish something from giving the presentation. It is a waste if nothing can be taken away from what you worked so hard on.
Second, be aware of your strong and weak points of your presentation… no one is perfect. If possible make sure that you end on a strong note, the last pieces of information are the ones that will linger in the minds of those you are speaking to the longest. Avoid spending long amounts of time on pointless details otherwise you are bound to lose almost everyone’s attention. Do not be the boring presenter that we all have dreaded listening to since about the third grade. This may require you to tell a quick, funny story or change the tones of voice that you use, do whatever it takes to keep your audience engaged.
Another element that is just as important as your material is the visual aids you choose to complement what you have to say. Whether is it is a single picture, chart, PowerPoint, video, or anything else, make sure it is stimulating. You want your visual aid to go along with your speech, not overpower it. Make sure that you are not relying too heavily on the visuals, know your material whether your technology is working properly or not. This brings me to my next point; be prepared if technology fails. No matter how much you prepare something could go wrong. In the case that it does, do not apologize over and over. Suck it up and move on with your presentation, the audience will not be interested in how sorry you are.
With these simple tricks you can impress everyone with your exciting and fun presentations. Just ask Terri Sjodin, a professional when it comes to delivering to audiences. In this video she explains speaking, getting attention, and adding creativity, watch and enjoy!
Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwdtI_A5mos&feature=related. Web, April 11, 2010.
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Great post really like the video. Watched the entire video and loved every minute of it and learned so much
ReplyDeleteGood job, I like your tone in your writing it is almost like someone is talking to me, instead of me reading. The Video went along nicely, I think information is more entertaining when it is in interview form.
ReplyDeleteI really like how your voice comes through in this post! I feel like I am hearing good heartfelt advice from a friend! I also really like how you started your post with a question. Besides this I also think that your information was helpful and is supplemented with your video. Keep doing posts like this because they are really enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteA great video, with some great ways people can improve their speaking and methods of reaching others. Your tone, as several people have said, was great, you used your own voice and were friendly and professional. Great job, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteAnna, this post could not possibly have been better quality. I am taking Public Speaking this semester, and we have to be careful about all of those points. I've always been great with visuals, and the structure and content of my speeches, but I am about the most boring presenter you can imagine. I'm monotone and not animated at all when I speak. So I have to make up for it with the visuals and sometimes use one with a sudden noise that catches their attention again. Excellent job.
ReplyDeleteI love the alliteration in your title and the thoroughness of your most. Be sure and tell your own story as it relates to the topic. In other words, use "I". What is your experience with this topic?
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