Speaking in public is feared by most more than death. As an owner of a Speakers Bureau here is my advice on making a great impression!!
Speaking in public, or even just in front of your work colleagues, can for some, cause severe distress. It need not be this way and here are my tips for making a presentation with impact!
DO'S
Practice! Practice! Practice! As soon as you know you are going to have to make a presentation start practising. Practise when you are driving (you can always put your mobile ear plug in so you don't look like you are talking to yourself). When I was first starting to compile my keynote speech, I would practice it out loud every time I was in the car. Practice your gestures, your timings, how you will stand, your interaction with the audiece and if you are having a questions and answers time, practice that too!
Know your stuff! People who know exactly what they are talking about and are well researched find it much easier to speak in public. After all, what we are really worried about is FAILING at delivering our knowledge. So do your research.
Make sure you look good! Get some expert advice on what to wear. I have my own personal stylist who I trust 100% to make me look my best. Visit him at www.tobewellsuited.com.au
Breathe and stay calm. Breathe! Breathe! Breathe! Remember the audience are there to listen to you! They want to hear what you have to say!
Jump at every opportunity you have to speak in public, no matter what size the audience. The more you do it, the easier it will be.
Tell people you are a public speaker! They will admire you for sure!
Be yourself!
Change your voice throughout the presentation, sometimes it may be appropriate to lower your voice and at other times make it louder.
Be entertaining - boring people make people yawn!
Keep eye contact with the audience. Make them feel you are really engaging with them.
DON'TS
Bore people to death with PowerPoint! Even worse turn your back to the audience whilst you read your PowerPoint Presentation
Get up and tell everyone you are nervous or apologise -Dont' do it ever!
Say 'um' be very aware of the um's. Try recording yourself when you are practising and count how many 'ums' are in your talk.
Many people 'click' their tongue at an end of a sentence. Be very aware of this and practice not doing it.
Forget to acknowledge appropriate people.
It's all a matter of confidence and practise. If you really know what you are talking about, then you should be able to present like a professional!
Debbie Carr is the owner of a Professional Speaking Bureau and works also as a recruitment consultant. She is passionate about helping people achieve their best! To contact her debbie@coyote.com.au