Improve Your Presentation Skills

Are you presenting at your upcoming event? Mastering public speaking can take a long time, however following are some simple ways to instantly improve your presentation skills.

Answer questions when they are asked: Firstly, you should always repeat the question out loud so that the rest of the audience can hear, and secondly, you should answer questions as they are asked. Don’t put them off (unless it is an issue that will be addressed specifically later)- this is an opportunity to create interaction with your audience, so don’t by-pass the chance to engage.

Ask your own questions: You don’t have to pretend that you have all the answers, you can also ask questions of the audience to spark discussion.

Create Contingency Plans: Pick two of the possible things that can go wrong and plan for them. Think through scenarios that could happen, and how you can either avoid them, or deal with them when and if they happen. This will better allow you to think on your feet should the worst happen.

Create a routine: So that you can be more comfortable in what you do, create a checklist of things to check before your presentation, so that you can be sure nothing will throw you during your talk.

Share a story: By sharing a story which the audience can relate to, you are creating a connection with them. It is important that you make the story interesting, but also have a lesson in the story, which relates to the point you are trying to make in your session.

Pause: Don’t be afraid to use a pause. If the pause is brief, people will realise that you are trying to emphasis a point. Make the pause longer however, and you will finally get the attention of those on their phone or not paying as much attention.

Rehearse: Rehearsal is key. Film your presentation beforehand to critique, or do it in front of friends and ask for feedback.

Make sure you benefit the audience: Focus on ensuring that the audience benefits from your presentation. If, by the end of your presentation, you have made the personal or professional lives better of attendees, there will be no need for you to sell products or pitch. Your job will be done.

Use slides and make them readable: This is not so you read them out loud! The slides should be able to be read by your audience, but should not be read word for word by you. Put bullet points down and expand on them briefly.

Repeat and reinforce key points: For key points you would like your attendees to take away, explain, give examples of how it can be applied and when, then provide action steps for them to take.

Final tip: Always respect your audience! This means never going on and on- always plan to finish 5 minutes early in order to pleasantly surprise them, and make sure you are interesting! Keep in mind that it is not necessarily the audience’s job to listen, but your job to make them want to listen….

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