Have you ever been to a presentation that you thought would never end? It seems that some people have mastered the art of saying very little in a long time. It’s those people who seem to keep showing up in high-profile situations where you and I are members of the audience. Time to clear up some things about presentations!
Let’s face it… life is one big show! When you go to a job interview, you are making a presentation. When you express your opinion at a gathering of friends, you are making a presentation. For whatever reason, there is a lot of anxiety about standing in front of a group of people and talking. Let’s take a look at four things that can improve your presentations… The Four S of Presentations.
1. Get up! This isn’t just a reference to your posture, although your posture counts for something. The real issue here is trust. When you have something to present, say it as if you believe what you are saying. I wouldn’t buy a car from a seller who doubted the quality of the vehicle, so why would someone buy what he has to say if he says it with an underlying apology? If you can’t speak confidently on the subject, change the subject!
2. Speak! This refers to his diction and voice inflection. Speak clearly using words that the audience can easily understand. Some presenters try to impress their audiences by using words that are not part of everyday conversation. There is no need to complicate simple things! Say what you have to say using the lowest common denominator. If you pepper your presentation with 8-syllable words meant to impress people, you might find that they stopped listening long before you made your main point! Also consider the size of the room and the acoustics. If the room is hollow, you will need to slow down your speech to accommodate the echoes in the room. Finally, speak more deliberately than normal. People need time to process what you say, so slow down.
3. Shut up! When you’re done, stop talking! Plan the conclusion of your presentation as carefully as you planned the opening. The last thing you say will be the last thing on the minds of the audience members. Be methodical in your presentation. It is better to make two points that are understood than five points that are confusing. If you know your material, it will be easier to improvise details. However, if you start improvising, you will have time at the end. A well planned presentation is more effective than a random conversation!
4. Sit down! If you are one of many presenters, it is important that you show the same respect for others that you expect of them. If you have been allotted five minutes for your presentation, use five minutes! Don’t ramble on breaking the time of presenters who come after you. If there are additional presenters after you, join the audience and listen. Not only will you learn something about the topics being discussed, but you’ll also learn some additional strategies for making powerful presentations.
Remember, you don’t have to say everything you know in the five minutes you’ve been given. When you finish your presentation, do you want your audience to wish you had told them more or be relieved that you finally stopped talking? Think about it!