Public Speaking Survival Kit
30 May 2014
Read by 2268 persons
Tomorrow night, you have to give a big presentation in front of a crowd of important people with endless job titles. Of course, you've always wanted to take a presentation skills course, but your schedule has never allowed it...
No need to panic, the survival kit for the uncomfortable speaker comes to your rescue with a series of basic tips that will help you shine tomorrow night or, worst case, get through it without losing face. So that you can finally sign up for that famous training course the day after...
Prepare carefully
You know what you're talking about. The content of the presentation shouldn't be a problem. Instead, make sure you have mastered all the elements outside of the speech that could go wrong. Familiarize yourself with the place where you will be speaking. How long will you have to speak? What is the size of the audience? Will you need a microphone? What type? Is the equipment in good working order? Will you move around during your presentation or will you stay behind a lectern? Do you know how to use the projector? Is the presentation saved on a laptop or a USB key?
Learn the first sentence by heart
You should be able to say it without hesitation. This will help you overcome your nervousness and get started.
Don't apologize
We should invent a device that sends electric shocks to the speaker every time they utter one of the following phrases:
Excuse me, I have a bit of a cold.
I didn't sleep much because I worked late on this presentation.
My English is not so good.
I'm a little nervous.
I have to talk to you for an hour about…
…and so on.
By apologizing, you undermine the credibility of your entire presentation from the outset. Modesty is not reprehensible in itself, but you shouldn't belittle yourself either. Just get started, and if your voice sounds like you have a cold, so be it!
Prepare a good icebreaker
Start with an opening that will engage your audience: a hypothesis, an anecdote, a joke, an observation, an image, a question… The audience must want to continue listening to you. “Good evening, my name is Pierre Dupont and I'm going to talk to you tonight about the consequences of European budget cuts on the Belgian economy” is certainly less catchy than “Those striking railway workers, what are we waiting for to get rid of them?” However, be careful with humor. If it's not your strong point, it's better to avoid jokes and comedic introductions. And if you have a sense of humor, great if you hit the mark, but if you flop, it will be hopeless, and it will definitely undermine your presentation.
Avoid clichés
The use of electric shocks may be a bit severe, but there will always be someone in the audience ready to yawn when they hear these typical phrases:
As Hamlet said: to be or not to be, that is the question!
Even in Roman times, it was known that…
The world is evolving faster and faster…
When I was invited to speak here, I thought…
…and last but not least.
Are there any questions?
The rule of three
People remember things more easily in series of three: ingredients, names, tasks on a to-do list, messages… Think carefully. If you have four things to do in a day, you will inevitably forget one. So limit your presentation to three key messages that you consider essential to understanding your presentation. For each key message, try to find as many explanatory arguments as possible, preferably from everyday life and as concrete as possible, so that the audience can identify with them. There's no need to reveal everything you know. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about topics they wish to delve into during a Q&A session.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should not contain any new information. You should reiterate your three key messages and avoid giving too many additional explanations. You can open the Q&A session, provided you don't fall into the cliché “Are there any questions?”, which is associated with that typical WordArt character with a question mark above their head. The risk of your audience yawning is enormous. Instead, engage the audience. “That's what I had to tell you. But I imagine you have other questions, which I will gladly answer.” And if the audience remains silent as the grave, you can always ask them a question. However, be sure to ask an open-ended question and not a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
What is your experience with?
How does the situation present itself in other cities/regions/countries?
What solution do you suggest?
What approach do you choose?
“Go in peace”
Once the Q&A session is over, you can thank your audience and let them disperse with a key message you want them to remember. Make sure this final message links to the icebreaker in your introduction. A way to close the loop and showcase your speaking talents.
Know your audience
Show that you know who you are addressing. Are they familiar with your jargon? What is their background? Regularly address them using the plural second person, to reduce the distance between the speaker and the audience.
Be true to your own style
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Humor, a pleasant voice, a smiling face, a fluent speaking pace… can divert attention from the skills you are less comfortable with. It's more pleasant to watch a slightly embarrassed speaker than a speaker who constantly moves mechanically “because they were told they should move around more on the podium”.
And remember! Don't forget to KISS = Keep It Short and Simple!
Harald Van Beeck.
In collaboration with Expert Academy
References.be
Posted on May 30, 2014.
No need to panic, the survival kit for the uncomfortable speaker comes to your rescue with a series of basic tips that will help you shine tomorrow night or, worst case, get through it without losing face. So that you can finally sign up for that famous training course the day after...
Prepare carefully
You know what you're talking about. The content of the presentation shouldn't be a problem. Instead, make sure you have mastered all the elements outside of the speech that could go wrong. Familiarize yourself with the place where you will be speaking. How long will you have to speak? What is the size of the audience? Will you need a microphone? What type? Is the equipment in good working order? Will you move around during your presentation or will you stay behind a lectern? Do you know how to use the projector? Is the presentation saved on a laptop or a USB key?
Learn the first sentence by heart
You should be able to say it without hesitation. This will help you overcome your nervousness and get started.
Don't apologize
We should invent a device that sends electric shocks to the speaker every time they utter one of the following phrases:
Excuse me, I have a bit of a cold.
I didn't sleep much because I worked late on this presentation.
My English is not so good.
I'm a little nervous.
I have to talk to you for an hour about…
…and so on.
By apologizing, you undermine the credibility of your entire presentation from the outset. Modesty is not reprehensible in itself, but you shouldn't belittle yourself either. Just get started, and if your voice sounds like you have a cold, so be it!
Prepare a good icebreaker
Start with an opening that will engage your audience: a hypothesis, an anecdote, a joke, an observation, an image, a question… The audience must want to continue listening to you. “Good evening, my name is Pierre Dupont and I'm going to talk to you tonight about the consequences of European budget cuts on the Belgian economy” is certainly less catchy than “Those striking railway workers, what are we waiting for to get rid of them?” However, be careful with humor. If it's not your strong point, it's better to avoid jokes and comedic introductions. And if you have a sense of humor, great if you hit the mark, but if you flop, it will be hopeless, and it will definitely undermine your presentation.
Avoid clichés
The use of electric shocks may be a bit severe, but there will always be someone in the audience ready to yawn when they hear these typical phrases:
As Hamlet said: to be or not to be, that is the question!
Even in Roman times, it was known that…
The world is evolving faster and faster…
When I was invited to speak here, I thought…
…and last but not least.
Are there any questions?
The rule of three
People remember things more easily in series of three: ingredients, names, tasks on a to-do list, messages… Think carefully. If you have four things to do in a day, you will inevitably forget one. So limit your presentation to three key messages that you consider essential to understanding your presentation. For each key message, try to find as many explanatory arguments as possible, preferably from everyday life and as concrete as possible, so that the audience can identify with them. There's no need to reveal everything you know. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about topics they wish to delve into during a Q&A session.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should not contain any new information. You should reiterate your three key messages and avoid giving too many additional explanations. You can open the Q&A session, provided you don't fall into the cliché “Are there any questions?”, which is associated with that typical WordArt character with a question mark above their head. The risk of your audience yawning is enormous. Instead, engage the audience. “That's what I had to tell you. But I imagine you have other questions, which I will gladly answer.” And if the audience remains silent as the grave, you can always ask them a question. However, be sure to ask an open-ended question and not a question that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
What is your experience with
How does the situation present itself in other cities/regions/countries?
What solution do you suggest?
What approach do you choose?
“Go in peace”
Once the Q&A session is over, you can thank your audience and let them disperse with a key message you want them to remember. Make sure this final message links to the icebreaker in your introduction. A way to close the loop and showcase your speaking talents.
Know your audience
Show that you know who you are addressing. Are they familiar with your jargon? What is their background? Regularly address them using the plural second person, to reduce the distance between the speaker and the audience.
Be true to your own style
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Humor, a pleasant voice, a smiling face, a fluent speaking pace… can divert attention from the skills you are less comfortable with. It's more pleasant to watch a slightly embarrassed speaker than a speaker who constantly moves mechanically “because they were told they should move around more on the podium”.
And remember! Don't forget to KISS = Keep It Short and Simple!
Harald Van Beeck.
In collaboration with Expert Academy
References.be
Posted on May 30, 2014.
