BusinessKnowHow: You’ve all heard the advice to get to know your audience, make eye contact, don’t say “um,” check your equipment, and similar public speaking techniques to make your presentations as powerful as they can be. These are great tips, and you’ll hear them over and over, but I’ve got some lesser-known suggestions for you today that will benefit you and your audience as much as more common advice.
Pointer 1: Take your medications
If your nervousness goes to your gut, by all means take your upset stomach medication. If you get tension headaches, head them off at the pass with your favorite pain reliever. Do what it takes to avoid the physical distractions that will disrupt your performance and keep you from doing your best.
Pointer 2: Start on time
Take charge of the room, take charge of your time, and make the decision to reward the people who are committed and punctual.
Pointer 3: Give the end of your sentences the same energy you give to the beginning of your sentences
This is a simple tool but an effective one. Some people’s voices trail off at the ends of sentences, making it hard to hear the last few words they’ve said. As a speaker, trailing off at the ends of sentences means that your audience might miss something important. Make sure you are emphasizing both ends of your sentences, and your audience will never miss a crucial point or valuable tip!
Three Surprising Tips to Improve Your Presentations [BusinessKnowHow]
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How To Improve Your Presentations
One reply on “How To Improve Your Presentations”
Steven-Great post. A couple other items that make a huge difference:
-Know your material inside and out. You need to know it a level or two deeper than you intend to present.
-Practice until you are comfortable.
-Arrive and set up early.