Here is some feedback I have been given by people who have been presenting a lot longer than I have.
Stop with the self-deprecating humor. By using this, you are confusing the audience. You are telling the audience that you are the expert and they should listen to you but then you cut yourself down. Know the audience, who asked you to speak and what the goals are for the talk. There is a very fine line between this is who I am and why you should pay attention to me and arrogance. Be very careful about crossing this line. Also, if someone is going to introduce you, then you don't need to. The audience needs the "why". Why is this info important, why should they listen, why should they use the info when they go back to the office, why are they there and not somewhere else. If possible, roam the audience ahead of time and ask people what they expect to get out of the session and then, if feasible, add their requests into the talk. Try to come across as genuine, talk at a good pace, make eye contact and know your material. A framework: 1. Tell them what you're going to tell them (opening) 2. Tell them (body) 3. Tell them what you just told them (close) It's rather simplistic really, but what is important here is brevity. The stat to always keep in mind is that the adult undivided attention span is 15 to 30 seconds. So if you want your message to be heard and remembered, keep it short, keep it focused, and keep it relevant. Base the building of your presentation around these 5 things and you will be successful. 1. Begin with a purpose. Always try to finish this sentence to ensure that you have successfully identified the most relevant information in your presentations. "If you remember just one thing as you leave here today, remember this ....." It doesn't have to be just one thing they have learned, but no more than 3. NOTE: my mentor told me that if you tell people what they are about to hear, they are more likely to hear it. 2. Objective/Purpose/Mission/Goal. If you have clearly identified the 1, 2, or at most 3 key points you want your audience to remember (your Purpose Statement), then you can use your Objective/Purpose/Mission/Goal to identify what you will cover, in other words what is the agenda? Important to remember here is don't go into detail, just give them the 30K ft view. 3. Position/Situation/Issues. Outline the issues, concerns, fears, expectations, successes or obstacles as you understand them. It may be good to stop at this point and ask your audience if anything has changed. Are there other issues that are relevant to the discussion? 4. End Result/Benefits/Consequences. What are the benefits, ramifications, consequences and implications of taking or not taking action 5. Next Step/Action Plan/Time Line. Use the next step as your call to action. It will help prepare your audience for what you expect of them and what they can expect of you My time spent in front of many audiences, either at a conference or just in client meetings, has taught me some key things that I will impart on you: 1. Be organized. Be prepared, poised, and polished. Your goal is not to overwhelm, but to inform, persuade, influence, entertain or enlighten. 2. Passionate. Approach every speaking engagement with enthusiasm and conviction. If you don't look and sound passionate about the topic, why would anyone else be passionate about it? Speak from the heart and leave no doubt as to where you stand. Make your energy persuasive and contagious!! 3. Engaging. Do EVERYTHING in your power to engage each audience member. Build rapport quickly and involve the audience early and often. You are the expert here and if you want their respect, you must first connect. 4. Natural. Your delivery should have a conversational feel and you should feel comfortable with any audience. Thanks Webster > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 3:17 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [NTSysADM] OT: Speaking in public > > Next week, against my better judgement, I'm doing my first ever bit of > technical presentation in front of an audience...and because my submission > was apparently different and interesting, I'm going on last out of six > presenters :-( > > Just wondering if anyone on the list (particularly the conference veterans) > have any tips or hints to share around this sort of thing (besides having > about five or six beers first)? I'm not a natural public speaker or limelight- > seeker, I write much better than I talk :-( > > All input appreciated! > > > JR > > > Sent from my Blackberry, which may be an antique but delivers email > RELIABLY > >
