Even those with utter stage fright can improve their presentation skills. In fact, many great speakers are very nervous before starting their speech. To improve your presentation skills, all you need to do is learn to relax, believe in what you have to say, and follow a few tricks to bond between you and your audience. It takes time and patience to perfect your exhibition skills, but with the right mindset you will charm audiences and affirm your point of view in no time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Plan for Success
Step 1. Do your research
If you want to have stellar presentation skills, then you need to sound like an expert on the subject you're going to talk about, whether it's sea otter mating rituals or Miley Cyrus' inexplicable popularity. Although having a degree or a lot of experience in the field could help you convince your audience, carrying out accurate research on the subject is the best choice to make them believe your every word.
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Search the internet and in the library and talk to experts to get a more complete idea of the subject, until you feel you are actually ready to give us a speech and answer any questions you may be asked.
681016 01b01 - The more research you do, the safer you will be in the moment of your presentation. And if you are more confident, your presentation will be better.
Step 2. Know your audience
If you want to hone your presentation skills, then you will need to think carefully about what kind of audience you will have. If you know that you will be giving your speech in front of your classmates, then you will need to think of something that intrigues them and catches their interest. If your audience will be a group of specialists, then you have to assume that they already know the subject matter; if you have to explain a complicated topic to a group of 8th graders, then you will need to simplify it so that they can follow you easily.
Even if you can't know everything your audience will want or won't want to hear, you can understand a lot based on the age and composition of the group you will be speaking to. Keep this in mind when preparing your presentation
Step 3. Plan your timing well
You will probably have a certain time limit for your presentation, be it half an hour at work or 10 minutes for a presentation in class. Whatever your time limit, organize your presentation to fit comfortably, so you don't have to speak too fast to touch each point; however, don't even make it short enough that you end up with too much empty time at the end.
The more your presentation respects the time limits imposed, the more relaxed you will be in presenting your material and the more your presentation skills will improve
Step 4. Consider the technology
Technology, from the use of music to that of a projector, can help you get your message across and engage your audience. However, too much technology can have the opposite effect - it's called Death from PowerPoint for a reason. So if you decide to use technology, make sure it helps you engage your audience and strengthen your presentation skills, instead of alienating the audience.
It can be easy to use technology as a back-up. You may feel less prepared and experienced if you depend on a machine to do part of the job. However, if you feel that having charts, concept maps, or bulleted lists can help you get to the point, use them
Step 5. The presentation structure must be solid
A logical and well-organized presentation will help you strengthen your skills, because the work will be well presented. There is certainly room for creativity when you prepare a presentation, but most of them, like most essays, usually follow a very specific structure. Here's how it should be organized:
- Introduction: captures the attention of the audience and introduces the main points you will talk about.
- Body: Use specific examples, facts, stories, and data to help illustrate your message. Review the most important points to make sure the audience has understood them.
- Conclusion: Pull the strings of your presentation and add the conclusion by summarizing the main points.
Step 6. Practice, practice, practice
If you want to improve your presentation skills, the best thing to do is practice. Practice in front of the mirror, in the shower, in front of friends and family. However, you don't have to memorize it, or it will sound too prepared and an unexpected question may confuse you. Practice enough so that you feel comfortable talking about the chosen topic to the point that you can even improvise a little.
You can request to have the camera film you while giving your presentation if you think it will help you improve. However, some people get very nervous in front of the lens, so find the best way for you
Part 2 of 3: Exhibit with Confidence
Step 1. First, relax
You can't go through a presentation sweating seven shirts or stammering because you're so nervous you can barely stand up. Instead, take a breath at least a couple of hours before the presentation, perhaps drinking a chamomile tea, meditating or taking a walk. If you want to relax, you will need to prepare well in advance - you will not be able to do so if you are still rehearsing or perfecting the speech two minutes before the presentation. Remember that the more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to bond with the audience, and the more fun you will have.
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Drink a nice glass of water to hydrate your vocal cords before starting. Keep a bottle or a glass of water next to you while making the presentation if it helps you relax and to take some breaks.
681016 07b01 - Arrive early to familiarize yourself with the space in which you will be giving your presentation. If it is an auditorium or other impressive structure, take a stroll around and maybe sit in the seats for the public to get an idea of what it will be like on the other side.
- If you want to relax, remember that your purpose is connection, not perfection. You want to bond with your audience, not make a foolproof presentation, and if you are yourself it will be much easier to bond.
Step 2. Exudes confidence
Hook them up with your confidence before you even open your mouth. If you appear confident and believe what you say, then it will be easier for the audience to trust you. So, try to appear confident, smile and make eye contact with the audience to show that you are not afraid and know what you are talking about. Even if you don't recognize yourself in all that confidence, giving off such vibrations will help you feel comfortable and people will tend to believe in you.
- Stay straight. Keep your head and back straight.
- Don't move around all the time and don't play with your hands. You can gesticulate occasionally to emphasize the speech, but don't overdo it or it will make you look even more nervous.
- Don't take yourself too seriously. If you made a small mistake, laugh at it and the audience will laugh with you instead of creating an atmosphere of discomfort.
- Use meaningful words and speak as if everything were a fact. Don't say, "I think San Francisco is better than Los Angeles" if the goal of the presentation is to show that San Francisco is far superior to its southern cousin; try saying, "San Francisco is definitely better than Los Angeles, it's not raining on that" and it will be easier for the public to agree with you.
Step 3. A strong introduction is essential
You must immediately capture the attention of your audience. If you can hook them from the first word, there's a good chance you won't miss them on the way. Start with a relevant or impactful fact, with a fun and engaging anecdote, or with an inspiring quote. Whatever your opening line is, make sure it's consistent with the rest of the presentation, and not just for entertainment purposes.
Whatever you do, don't apologize for the introduction, even if it's a job or school assignment. Nothing will make your audience lose interest more than your release like, "I'm sorry to bore you guys with all this technical information, but I have to do it …"
Step 4. Be articulate
Being articulate is the key to improving your presentation skills. You can plan the most engaging presentation of all time, but your audience won't get anything if you talk too softly, too loudly, or go so fast that people can't understand what the main point is. Focus on speaking clearly and calmly, and loud enough for everyone to hear. Make your expressions match your words and people will understand your speech better and be able to connect with you.
- Take breaks between sentences to increase emphasis and try to eliminate as much as possible the various "uhm" and "uh" without freaking out if you use any of them. On the other hand, President Obama himself is known to use a healthy dose of "um" in his speeches.
- Be concise. Try to eliminate the unnecessary and focus on what is important. You don't need a million adjectives to get to the point - just one, well chosen.
- Read as much as possible to improve your basic knowledge and vocabulary. This, in turn, will make you sound smarter and more articulate.
Step 5. Be specific
If you want to articulate your points comprehensively, then you will need to use stories, anecdotes, statistics and facts that support your ideas. If you say that a healthy diet is the key to a happy life, but you have no evidence to back up your claim, why should they believe you? While fascinating and funny, if your speech has no substance, the audience will notice. Stories are a good way to create bonds and illustrate an argument effectively without losing the atmosphere.
- You don't need a million facts or statistics; choose a pair carefully and you can impress your audience.
- A story or statistic can be an engaging way to open a presentation. You can also take them back at the end to pull the strings of the speech.
Step 6. Embrace the power of "you"
Although it is best to avoid the use of the second person when writing a formal essay, the word "you" is crucial for connecting to the audience during a presentation. You want to make every single person in the audience feel that you are talking to her or him so that they have the impression that your presentation could be useful or useful to them. You could say, "You can learn how to manage conflicts effectively in less than an hour by following five simple steps", instead of "Anyone can learn to manage conflicts …". Even if you are essentially saying the same thing, using the "you" appropriately will involve the audience more in your presentation.
Step 7. Be human
Connect through emotions. Nobody likes a boring speaker, so infuse your gestures with energy, modulate your voice as if you were having a conversation with two, try to tease yourself a little and don't be afraid to show your failures as an example to learn from.
Step 8. Repeat the important points
While every word is crucial in a presentation, there will undoubtedly be at least a couple of topics for the audience to take away. It is okay to remind the audience of these points by repeating them to emphasize them; you can do it even without getting boring or repetitive. If you use a story or anecdote to make a point, remind the audience and come back to it later, if not at the end. Make the audience understand that some of your arguments are more important than others.
Another way to emphasize important topics is to slow down when you want the audience to fully understand what you say. Use your hands to emphasize if necessary
Step 9. You may want to take some time to make room for questions
This could help the audience to fully understand the material you have exhibited, create a link with you and your presentation and have the feeling that you have gathered the most from the subject matter. If you feel that your presentation needs a space for audience questions and that you have the option to carve it out without taking away from the content, then plan it after exposing the focus of the presentation - but before the conclusion.
- Set a time limit for questions. For example 5-10 minutes. Tell the audience that the allotted time is that so that there is no risk of answering too many questions and losing the thread.
- Make sure you close with a conclusion after question time. You certainly don't want to give a stellar presentation and then lose it in a series of irrelevant questions.
Step 10. Close with a flourish
Close the presentation with a strong annotation. Don't let your presentation languish or close it when you or the audience are getting bored. Close firmly, continuing to engage your audience and reminding them of the highlights of your speech. It is helpful to briefly summarize what you have already said to remember the central message of the presentation. Believe in yourself to the end, keep your head up, and thank them for attending if necessary.
Avoid looking bored with your own presentation or as if you can't wait to get off the stage. Don't say things like, "Well, I'd say that's enough", or, "It's all I have" - you must be convinced that you have made a great presentation and that you have displayed it with a decorative bow
Part 3 of 3: Go further
Step 1. Get feedback
You can't get offstage or walk out of a room with a smile on your face because you feel you've made it. Even if you have made a stellar speech, there is always room for improvement, and you should see each presentation as an opportunity for growth. And if you have the impression that you have failed miserably, it means that you can learn even more from your experience. Here are some ways to get feedback:
- Have a friend or colleague you trust in the audience who can evaluate your work objectively. He can take notes on your level of confidence, on the articulation of the speech and also on the reactions of the audience. You can ask more people if you want more objective feedback.
- Hand out a questionnaire at the end of the presentation. Ask people to do an honest analysis of your presentation. While criticism isn't always funny, it's a great value tool.
- You could register to see how you looked on stage. How you felt during the presentation may not give you the complete picture of how the audience saw you instead.
- You could film the audience. This, too, can help you gauge audience reactions, and show you when they were most engaged and when they might be confused or bored.
- Do a self-analysis. How did you feel? Which parts have you most troubled? What can you learn from this presentation to make the next one even more stellar?
Step 2. Find inspiration
Go see the best speakers and try to figure out what makes them so good. Why is Anthony Robbins a very bad or a very good speaker? Does Steve Jobs inspire you? How does he manage to inspire you through his presentations? Look for Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, or Roosevelt. Watch other people's presentations and take notes. Try to learn as much as possible, for better or for worse. Watching other people speak to important audiences can be inspiring and can convince you that you too can do it.
Remember that even speakers who seem very relaxed may be terrified of the stage. With hard work, everyone can overcome this fear and appear absolutely calm while in reality they are scared
Step 3. Join the Toastmaster organization
If you really want to improve your presentation skills, then joining the Toastmaster organization can help you grow as a public speaker. You will also meet interesting people, learn a variety of topics and make articulate and exciting presentations in front of large audiences. If you want to be successful with public speaking at work, at school or because it's your passion, then this is a wonderful opportunity.
Step 4. Take a course to learn how to speak in public
Another option could be to take a course that helps you improve your speaking skills. Search in your city, there may be some interesting opportunities. You will be able to see what it takes to make engaging speeches, you will be followed by experts and you can even practice in front of a small audience. These courses are usually organized in small groups and offer support to participants, so you will feel more comfortable knowing that everyone in the room will have to give a presentation at some point.
