Perfecting Your Technique

Presentation delivery can be a very daunting topic, but it doesn’t have to be.  Here are a few tips to easily improve your technique, making it easier than ever to engage your audience and reach the goal you’ve set for your presentation:

• Speak to the audience directly:  You often hear that it is a good idea to pick a place in the room and talk to that place.  Generally that place is just over the audience’s head or in the center of the room.  The problem with this idea is that you never have eye contact. Eye contact is what tells each listener that you are actually talking to them.  Try to look at a new person for every thought.  This works great for large and small groups.  In addition, it lets you gauge how involved the audience is and self-correct if they’re slipping away.
• Be Genuine:  Let your personal enthusiasm and excitement show through.  Your audience is much more likely to stay attentive and involved if they see you are.  So, get excited about your topic, and if you can’t you shouldn’t be giving this presentation.
• Use your space:  If you are in front a large group of people, use that space to your advantage. Practice your had gestures and movement. This will help you seem larger and help you to control the room.  Don’t be afraid to walk around.  If you audience is small, still use that motion, just practice it on a smaller scale.   Remember motion create emotion.
• Be Quick:  By paring down your content you will be able to move through your slides much more quickly.   This helps you keep your audience’s attention for the entire presentation as well as stay focused.  Your audience’s time is valuable, they will appreciate when you treat it as such.
• Leave the light on:  Dark rooms are usually reserved for sleep and that’s the last thing you want your audience doing.  Keeping the lights on will not only help keep your audience alert, but you’ll also be able to see their faces better and gauge their attention levels.
• Practice:  Give your presentation in front of a mirror. Watch your motions, facial expressions and general presence. Seeing yourself will help you to easily correct minor things that can otherwise be a distraction to your audience.

With these tips in mind, you’ll find yourself giving the most effective presentations you’ve ever given.