Mark Twain once said that "There are two kinds of speakers,
those who are nervous and those who are liars".
Public Speaking and stand-up presentations can make even the most
confident professional come “undone”. I work regularly with clients on improving
their skills and comfort in this area. Making winning presentations is about making
an impactful, genuine and intimate connection with every person in your
audience whether its 5 people or 50 people, or 150 people.
So, here are my ten Surefire Ways to Enhance Any Speech or Presentation:
Be a storyteller. Bring your audience with you by painting a picture, use colorful language (no expletives or jargon!) and descriptive adjectives to create the mood and inspire the response you want from your listener.
Whether you are making a sales pitch or illustrating
a problem, clear descriptive words will drive outcomes.
Manage your facial expression. Audiences prefer a “relaxed ready expression”
that is a soft open expression with a slight smile. And allow your facial
expression to match your message.
Videotape yourself or have a friend help you. Speak to the camera in a conversational tone
and describe a topic that you know well, like your family.
When you watch the recording, notice
the animation in your face and vocal tone.
It is exactly that natural tone and animation you will want to bring to
your presentation. That’s YOU being YOU! Even formal presentations are better
when the speaker is relaxed and animated.
Start strong. Impressions
of your speaking abilities will be formed in the few seconds. This may sound scary but it is actually great
news! It means you have only to practice
those first few lines of introduction.
Get them down pat and you will be amazed how your nervousness leaves you
as you get started in a confident way.
Stand up tall and breathe deeply, opening your chest and your
lungs will deepen your voice and amplify your projection. Before you begin, take a few long deep breaths. As you breath, extend both your arms as far out to the side as you can. This will relax your arms and prepare you to make broad and open gestures.
Make eye contact with one person at a time. Choose friendly faces in the room and make
sure you connect with one person in all four corners of the room and the
center. Addressing one individual will relax you and it will make the
conversation seem more intimate.
Keep you visuals simple.
People love pictures. Use pictures
to illustrate your points save the data for your handouts. Limit slide text to
a few key words that will jog your memory. Watch a few TED talks online. Pay attention to the visuals they use. Visuals
should be the backdrop for your talk, not the focus, ever.
Don’t skimp on the transitions. Add transition slides
between topics. A transition slide may have only a picture or a one line heading. It will give you a place
to regroup and will help the audience to stay with you. Remember you are the "GPS" for the listeners. Be clear about where you are going and why.
Practice standing up and talking. Stand up in front of a mirror and read out
loud. Add vocal variety and emphasis to main points. Be theatrical. Practice being larger than life, modulate you
pacing and volume. This will allow you
to get comfortable with your range of expression.
Move with purpose. As you are presenting, take one or two steps from side to side in either direction and
forward. Make deliberate steps and make
sure both feet make the move. You don’t have to move far or often (no
pacing). By making those deliberate
moves you are releasing the tension and energy from your body. This will help
you relax and will enhance your gesturing.
Whether you are making a toast at a wedding or introducing a
new product to prospective clients, people love authenticity. Just be a larger version of who you already are
and you will have them eating out of your hand!
No comments:
Post a Comment