10 Little-Known, Rarely Discussed, Highly
Effective Presentation Techniques
By: Marjorie Brody
1) Know Your PAL(TM) -- Before preparing any presentation for
one person or thousands, know your Purpose (inform, persuade,
entertain), know your Audience (demographics, attitudes, hot
buttons), and know your Logistics (Time allotment, number of
people in the audience, time of day for presentation, room arrangements).
2) Pay Attention to Timing -- A good strategy for a straight
presentation is to plan, prepare and practice for 75% of the
allotted time. If you end early, no one complains. Ending late
is poor planning. If you expect audience involvement, plan on
50% of the time and 25% for interactive facilitated sessions.
3) All presentation material is not created equal. When preparing
your speech, consider the must know, should know, could know.
Limit material based on time or audience interest.
4) Hitting the emotional buttons will create more impact and
action than pure data. Include stories, analogies, metaphors
and humor to reinforce the key points.
5) Create user friendly notes. As Winston Churchill said when
he was asked why he carried notes but seldom used them, "I
carry fire insurance, but I don't expect my house to burn down." Use
bulleted points instead of sentences. Make the type easy to read
(use felt tip pen or minimum 18 point type, boldface, if typed),
only use the top 2/3 of the page to avoid looking down, use highlight
pens to indicate the must/should/could know information.
6) Practice out loud saying it differently each time you say
it. Peter Drucker says, "Spontaneity is an infinite number
of rehearsed possibilities." Tiger Woods still practices!!
7) Stage fright is a negative term for excitement. No coach
tells the team to be calm. Channel the adrenaline into enthusiasm.
You can control the physical symptoms by breathing from the diaphragm,
positive visualization and self talk, plus by being prepared
and practiced.
8) Deliver with passion, it's amazing how catchy enthusiasm
is. If your voice is expressive and your gestures animated you
will appear to be confident and passionate. Deliver with passion,
it's amazing how catchy enthusiasm is. If your voice is expressive
and your gestures animated you will appear to be confident and
passionate.
9) The question-and-answer part of the presentation may be more
important than the actual presentation. Think ahead to all possible
questions that might be asked -- particularly the ones that might
throw you. Remember to paraphrase the questions before answering
them and take into account the motivation of the questioner.
When answering the questions look at all audience members --
they may have had the same question. Avoid complementing some
questions and not others. Treat all questions and questioners
with respect.
10) Remember - speaking is an audience-centered sport. Avoid
speaking out of ego, appearing too cocky or unprepared. As long
as you stay focused on the audience - in preparation, delivery
and during the Q and A, you will be a successful presenter.
(C) 2001 Marjorie Brody and Brody Communications Ltd. Marjorie
Brody, MA, CSP, CMC, is an internationally recognized expert
and motivational speaker on career enhancement and corporate
etiquette who connects people to potential. She can be reached
via e-mail at mbrody@BrodyCommunications.com
