PRESENTATION SKILLS Lesson 1 - Presentation Structure

Lesson 2 - Eye Contact

Lesson 3 - Visual aids

Lesson 4 - Movement and Hands

Lesson 5 - Words

Lesson 6 - Voice and Delivery

PRESENTATION SKILLS

When you speak to an audience, how do you present yourself with impact

and power? What presentation techniques can you use to grab

attention, inform and persuade them?

Keep Your Speech Interesting By Being Present Yourself

What happens when you keep your speech more interesting? Your audience will listen attentively to your words. People will think about your message. Your listeners are more likely to act on your call to

action.

How can you demonstrate that?

Transform your speech into a conversation instead of a lecture. Think of how you might feel when the speaker is lecturing at you. That might feel rather cold. Lectures are often delivered by parents to children. Neither party enjoys them. They tend to be a one way communication. The listeners are usually made to feel small.

Use these techniques to be present when you present.

Ask questions of your audience and listen to their answers. Acknowledge and respect their opinions and perspectives especially when they differ from yours.

Encourage questions from your audience. Listen carefully to their queries and answer as best as you can. Look at the person asking the question and allow others to offer their comments.

Make eye contact with your audience while you are speaking. Don't speak to a spot on the back wall, your slides or the floor. Look at your listeners and talk to them. Connect with people for a few seconds and then move your eyes to another person. Talk to every person in your audience one person at a time.

Laugh. Ha! Inject some humor into your presentation.

Laugh when you make a mistake and laugh when something funny happens in the room. When

you make a mistake be willing to allow people to laugh at you.

Be aware of what is happening in the room. When someone sneezes, say "Bless you." When a cell phone rings, make a comment. If there is noise from outside, acknowledge that. If the mood seems to be dragging, either take a break or finish early.

Tell stories. Most people would prefer to listen to stories over lectures. Just ask your children. Include stories in your presentation that connect with

your audience and illustrate your message.

You can keep your speech more interesting by demonstrating to your audience that you are fully present in the room.

MOVEMENT & HANDS

Movement

Don’t move about without a clear purpose Don’t stand behind furniture (except a lectern).

Put them to the side so you can be seen and are able to move about.

Don’t stand between the screen and audience When standing in one place, avoid ‘rocking’

motion Change position during transitions Change positions to emphasize a point Change positions to better address a particular

person

WORDS Use words that differentiate us - style

that’s unique helps; this doesn’t mean jargon!

Use words that illustrate a benefit. Avoid jargon (unless 100% sure that

all members of the audience know that they mean. In majority of cases, there will be people in the audience who don’t know what they mean. If you do use them, explain them.

VOICE & DELIVERY

Exercise 1: for those who speak too strongly

Pretend you are 5 year olds at school. You need to whisper to talk in class so the teacher won’t hear you.

Exercise 2: for those who speak to fast, don’t pause

Select three people in the audience. Talk to the first in normal voice. Talk to the second in a soft voice, slow pace. Talk to the third in a strong voice, rapid pace.

PRESENTATION SKILLS

- THANK YOU-