| mastering the fundamentals |
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Practice, practice, practice.
Rehearse the entire presentation as you will actually give it. Use all the technology
including the remote mouse, the lavaliere mic.etc.
Drill for skill. Set up everything ahead of time. That way you will have no surprises.
Practice just as you intend to perform. Remember practice makes PERMANENT. Perfect
practice makes perfect. |
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| word play |
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Use the word "you" repeatedly.
Marketing pieces with the word "you" get more than double the response
rate. Using the word "you" has a powerful effect on the audience.
Customize your presentation. Speak to your audience by name if you know their names. |
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| speak loudly and carry a great presentation |
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You always sound louder to yourself than you
do to an audience. Double your volume and see how inflection and energy increase.
A louder voice commands more attention and respect.
Burn off nervous energy with vocal power. Aim your voice at the people in the back
row.
Use contrast. Vary your tone, pitch, inflection, volume and timing. Don't be afraid
of silences. They're an attention-grabber if you maintain visual contact with your
audience.
Don't speak at your audience, but with them. Get inside your message, and the audience
will, too. |
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| be prepared |
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| Spend five hours preparing for every one hour
you will spend presenting. As they say, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." |
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| all's well that begins well |
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Kick off your presentation with initial impact.
In the first few seconds your audience is making rapid fire assessments of you and
your presentation. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
Even the way you walk to the stage creates an immediate impression.
So move deliberately and with purpose. Jump right in with valuable content. Go right
for the content-that is why they are there in the first place. |
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| attitude is important |
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Bring energy and passion to your presentation.
Manage your state of mind, turn yourself on full steam and give it your all. Let
the audience catch your excitement for the content. Make your presentation infectious!
Have a great time. As Larry King said, It is the mark of true performance genius,
when you can see they are doing, what they are doing, for the love of what they are
doing. They are doing it for themselves."
Don't be afraid of being different and setting yourself apart and avoid terminal
seriousness-it will kill your presentation.
Last quote-"The single greatest secret for giving a great speech or presentation
can be summed up in one word-passion. If you've got passion you can break every rule
of presenting and you'll still succeed." Bryan Mattimore, author of 99% Inspiration |
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| back up |
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| Always carry a backup disk that is a view
program only. This way, in case your laptop crashes you can always load your presentation
onto another PC. |
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| be your own best friend |
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Accept your fears or anxieties.
Recognize your stress signals, such as elevated heart rate, sweaty palms, rapid breathing
etc. as your body preparing you to perform at a peak level.
Learn to use that extra energy to make it an extra special presentation. If you are
too hyped up try a few deep breaths and a brisk walk. Trust that you will do a great
job-you will. |
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| content is king |
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Stick to one overarching theme.
Make sure your points fit within your theme. Tell stories to illustrate your points.
Support your information with the latest facts and information. Back it up with experiences
with real people wherever possible.
Help your audience to decide what to do with your information. What actions should
they take? Be clear and direct about the benefits for them specifically and their
organization. |
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| end on time |
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Rehearse your presentation so you end a couple
minutes before the intended time. You won't lose your audience and will show that
as a professional you value their time as well
By interspersing your questions during your presentation and ending on a rehearsed
high note you will control the lasting impression you leave on your audience and
be able to close on the commitment you want them to take as a result of your presentation. |
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| controlling the environment |
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| Position the seating in a semi-circle to direct
the audience's energy to the center. This also reduces the strain on their necks
and backs if they look straight at the presentation. Flare aisles off at 45-degree
angles from the front of the podium (no middle aisles). |
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| getting personal |
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While presenting select members of the audience
and speak directly to them. Look at one person at a time and speak to them. This
will allow you to focus on individuals and get feedback on how they are receiving
your information. Make your presentation a one on one conversation with many people
at the same time.
Meet with people as they are coming in and get a sense for their needs, concerns
and motivations. With this information you can tailor your presentation, use examples
directly from your audience and have rapport with some of them all at the same time. |
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| don't stand and deliver |
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Move around the room. Leave the front of the
room and visit with the audience.
While stationary try to be at a 45-degree angle to the room. Never turn your back
to your audience. Stop moving when you want to drive home a point. |
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| don't read slides! |
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Let the slides trigger content for you
or support what you are saying to the audience.
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