Advice - for improving presentation skills?

[red]

one scotch, one bourbon and one beer

 

[onthebottom]

A lot of fair advice... I find the most common mistake is people who simply read their presentation aloud. It is boring. You should embellish on top... I also find an abstract story about why the presentation is important can be a good way to start... it sets the hook so to speak.

You have to tell a story.

After every point you make you should answer the silent question "so what", if there isn't an answer to so what you've not made a valuable point.

Breath

Talk slower than you think is necessary and more animated than you would in normal conversation.

When you've got this accomplished, the next task is to learn to present to audiences who are not fluent in English..... now that's fun.

OTB

 

[homonger]

When you've got this accomplished, the next task is to learn to present to audiences who are not fluent in English..... now that's fun.

"Yes, you there. You speak some English?"

"Sheet! Son of beetch!"

(Class in unison) "Sheet! Son of beetch!"

Sorry, your post just reminded me of a 'Stripes' moment.

 

[antaeus]

On presentations...

During the actual presentation beware of your natural human nervous tics. Don't:

jingle coins in your pocket
snap the pen in and out
fiddle with the laser pointer or remote control
scratch your nose 1000's of times
fold, sort, jumble your papers
jam your hands in your pants pockets and leave them there

Walk around while presenting, i.e. don't stand and deliver. Walk all over the stage, around the boardroom. Audience interest and participation will increase if you stand in front of the desk / podium. Talk in a slightly louder than normal voice.

Like the others say: know your material and practice.

You'd figure making a public speech would be a regular stunt on Fear Factor!

 

[fjdude]

Wear a suit
Use cue cards if necessary
Look directly into your listener's eyes
Speak loudly and clearly

and you should be just fine.

 

[goodtime]

Wearing comfortable clothing or ones that help confidence. Especially comfortable footwear, certainly helps and put you at ease. When you're nervous, every offbeat thing can throw you off.

 

[Diode]

Walk around while presenting, i.e. don't stand and deliver. Walk all over the stage, around the boardroom. Audience interest and participation will increase if you stand in front of the desk / podium. Talk in a slightly louder than normal voice.

Very good point! The audience is much more likely to follow you, if they follow you with their eyes.