Many of us dread public speaking or giving a presentation because the mere thought of speaking before a group of people is enough to bring about nervousness. However, this kind of experience is one good way of building confidence.
It may not always be easy talking in front of a crowd but there are ways to manage the fear and anxiety or even recover from a poor presentation. Just follow simple tips to make your presentation experience a memorable and effective one, both for you and your audience.
In this article, you will learn the things that should be practiced and mastered and at the same time the things that must be refrained or avoided when giving a presentation. The coverage is a general scope from the onset of the preparation to the presentation proper. Let this serve as a guide for you to follow in your upcoming presentations.
What You Should Do
An effective presentation is grounded on good presentation skills and a confident delivery. Also, find out what techniques work well for a presentation. Each speaker has a different style in presenting, but knowing some helpful tips will definitely keep you from the tension.
The manner of dressing speaks of your personality as a presenter. Dress appropriately according to the said event. Do not forget that you are a visual aid yourself. Look pleasant and confident to your audience.
The use of body language is important in your speech. Our gestures convey certain meanings so be careful and be choosy with your gestures. If you have developed a certain mannerism, make sure it does not distract attention. Always keep good eye contact with your audience as you speak.
Speak with conviction and confidence to project a credible approach of what you are saying. Show enthusiasm and interest in your subject to get your audience’s participation. However, refrain from being arrogant about your subject.
Voice quality is a very essential element in an oral presentation. Speak in a moderate voice, emphasizing on points that need to be highlighted, but modulate the volume to let everyone hear you well. Vary on your tone and sound enthusiastic all the time. Make it a point to build good rapport or a good connection with your audience.
The presentation of your ideas should be in a logically sequenced manner. Start off with a good introduction, elaborate further on your explanation, and leave off a good message through the closing. Use words that convey the ideas clearly and comprehensively.
Make good use of audio-visual materials to help reinforce or enhance the message and make sure they are all set up and in good working condition before the start of the presentation.
Lastly, know when to start and stop talking. Always allocate extra time for entertaining questions.
What You Should Avoid
Poor presentation results from lack of preparation and lack of confidence. As a presenter, you must know the things you should avoid.
Always remember never to be late for your presentation. You would want to create a good first impression. Instead, arrive early and relax before you hit the spotlight. During the presentation proper, keep a good composure and do not slouch.
Avoid unnecessary body movements that may distract the audience. Keep from reading your notes word by word. This will only mean that you are not prepared for the big day. In speaking, do not mumble or eat your words. Never apologize when you made a mistake.
Avoid the use of jargons in your explanation as it will only confuse your audience. In using visual aids, refrain from standing in front of your visual material. Do not overwhelm your audience too much with excessive use of videos, sound clips, or overly colored laptop presentation.
Making Your Presentation Fly
Knowing the do’s and don’ts in a presentation will help you become an effective presenter. Being able to assess yourself on your strengths and weaknesses is also important to iron out the flaws in your presentation skills.
Keep up with the good points and emphasize them during the presentation. But in order to make your presentation fly, keep on rehearsing until you feel that you are ready to kick off with an impressive presentation. And during your presentation, just be yourself and show your audience what you got.
