How is it that some people can stand in front of a group of people with such ease and hold their attention while they speak? This question about presentation skills got me thinking about my sister, a lawyer and prosecutor no less. I was curious as to what she thinks is most important when she heads to court, so I decided to give her a call. Without hesitation, she said, “Start with a strong argument!”
Conventional wisdom says that introductions and speeches should start with a personal anecdote, but I wouldn’t dare argue with my sister’s point of view. (Since we all know who would win that argument!) Plus, she works with a very specific type of presentation, just like politicians or government leaders do. Still, her point is well understood: a solid argument and the ability to be persuasive will help you with any form of public speaking.
The reason I came up with the presentation skill is partly because of an earlier article you may have read that emphasized the importance of writing in presentation preparation. I didn’t want to leave them thinking that great performances were all about writing. As you well know, there is more. Knowing how to hold people’s attention and the tricks that help you get through the nervous and sweaty moments you might have when facing a crowd is another important skill set.
Here are my top tips for developing this skill set and ensuring your presentations aren’t boring:
6 quick tips on how not to be boring
Fake it till you make it:
Even if you don’t feel safe, act like you are. Your body language communicates more than you realize: slumping over or fiddling with notes conveys uncertainty or anxiety. Make eye contact with the audience. Scan the group from east to west and north to south, even before you start speaking. Otherwise, you will surely appear rushed and nervous.
getPersonal:
Personalize your communication so that your audience sees you as an individual, a human being with a point of view. We all respond to individuals who seem to speak directly to us as persons. Few of us enjoy being bombarded with loads of information and facts.
Aim at the target:
Be sure to ask yourself “Who is my audience?” Target your content to that goal. There’s no point in talking like you’re addressing a jury when you’re really talking to, say, a group of computer-phobic employees about improving their computer literacy skills.
KISS:
whatpeep Iyou Simplement Stupid is certainly a bit rude, but it makes the point: avoid overcomplicating your presentation with elaborate, obscure language or sentences. Use clear and short sentences, the best way to get your points across. And it goes without saying (or should I!), know your material well.
Wax Enthusiast:
Be upbeat and enthusiastic: There’s nothing worse for an audience than having to listen to a monotone or being swept away by a presenter’s lack of energy. I am sure that, like all of us, you have suffered in classes where the teacher literally puts someone to sleep. That’s not the type of presenter you want to be!
Break a smile, if it’s not a joke:
Humor can be a great element of a successful presentation. But you have to be comfortable pulling a prank or you’ll fall flatter than the rug on the floor. (Speaking of jokes that are not so funny). So if you decide to inject humor into your presentation, make sure your audience gets it; humor that will not offend. And if you’re not comfortable joking around, at least manage the occasional smile!
The tips above are just a few ways you can improve your presentation skills and avoid boring your audience. But, if you’re just starting out, you may want to get formal help from the tried and true in the public speaking business: Toastmasters.
Even if you’re very experienced, it never hurts to brush up on your presentation skills or learn new techniques. When I first had to do a lot of public speaking, I went to Toastmasters to learn the basics. Not long ago I went back for a public speaking checkup. Although I’m not ready for the courtroom, I am confident that my audience will not fall asleep while I make my next presentation.
