The Best Tips for Delivering Great Presentations
Speech Practice, Body Language, Eye Contact, and Handling Questions
The well-known saying goes that people fear public speaking more than they fear dying. Perhaps the reason for this general consensus of the population is the fear of being humiliated in front of a crowd of people. This fear can be addressed by preparing for presentations as much as possible, and paying attention to the following key areas:
Room Logistics
A presenter should try and view the presentation room a few days or even a few hours before the presentation. A presenter will be able to walk along the stage and anticipate any problems with room logistics. For example, too much distance between the stage and the seating area can result in alienating the audience. A speaker can modify this by checking with the meeting facilitator to determine if she can deliver her speech from the space just in front of the audience to create a more intimate setting.
Speech Practice
Before presentation day, a presenter should gather friends or family members together and conduct a practice run of the presentation. The makeshift audience can give feedback on the speaker's performance. A presenter may need to make adjustments such as eliminating awkward parts of the speech or addressing nervous habits, all of which can distract the audience from listening to the presenter.
Connect with the Audience
If a speaker feels a sense of camaraderie with the audience, she will increase her comfort level. To connect with the audience, a speaker may wish to arrive early and mingle with audience members before the presentation. This will not only release nervous tension, but when the speaker is presenting, she will feel she is speaking to familiar and supportive faces, as opposed to a collective sea of heads. Another great way to connect with the audience is to ask them a question, which immediately engages them in the presentation.
Delivering the Speech
The following tools will assist a speaker with the delivery and reception of the presentation:
- Cue or index cards will assist a presenter in the event of momentary forgetfulness. Cards should be typed in bullet points using a large font.
- A PowerPoint presentation will assist with the audience's enjoyment and retention of the material.
Body Language
An audience will pick up many cues from the body language of a speaker, therefore, it is imperative that a speaker ensure she is sending out positive messages:
- Don't fidget with hands or place near the face
- Don't rock from side to side
- Don't repeat "um"
- Do speak loudly and clearly
- Do use gentle hand gestures to emphasize points
- Do smile, if appropriate
Eye Contact
Eye contact is also a factor of body language, but it is so important that it requires a few additional words. In their February 1996 article, "Gaze Avoidance - Personality and Social Judgments of People Who Avoid Face-to-Face Contact" published in Personality and Individual Differences, Randy J. Larsen and Todd K. Shackelford determined that women speakers who avoided eye contact "were rated less attractive, less agreeable and...less intelligent" than women who did not avoid a gaze. A presenter therefore should make eye contact with as many members of the audience as possible.
Handling Questions
The idea of not being able to respond to an audience question is probably the most imagined threat of public speaking. A speaker should never try and bluff her way through a response. The most professional response is for the speaker to admit that she does not have the answer to the question, but will endeavour to obtain the information and forward it to the questioner as soon as possible after the presentation.
Delivering a speech does not have to be a dreaded experience. In fact, it should be a positive exchange of energy and information between the presenter and the audience. By addressing key factors such as speech practice, verifying the presentation room logistics, making adjustments in body language and eye contact, and preparing for handling questions, a presenter will increase her chances of success.
Delivering the Speech
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Making a Presentation
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Connect with the Audience
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