Visual aids are not for you; they’re for your audience. Your goal in using them is to reinforce your message and make it more your presentation memorable. But where do you begin? Try our simple, four-step “R-S-V-P™” method to make your next presentation more effective.
So, what does a game show have to do with effective presentation skills? Almost everything.
Notice I said almost, because rather than battling a mysterious entity known only as “the Banker” as in the show Deal or No Deal, chances are most speakers will be presenting to a room full of advocates. That’s right: your listeners want you to succeed.
But Deal or No Deal, is a perfect speaking metaphor in every other way. To win over an audience, game show contestants must be confident they have the knowledge to win; be strategic in their approach, and have enough passion to inspire listeners.
Teleprompters are valuable toolstheir use shouldn’t distract you from your primary goal: connecting with your audience. That’s why we turned to two of our favorite teleprompter pros, Bethel Bird and Andrea Sawchuk, for their advice on taming the teleprompter so you appear engaged and conversational from start to finish.
As a presenter, using your eyes is critical to an effective presentation. Eye contact will engage your audience while creating a sense of confidence, establishing credibility, and building rapport.
Do you find most presentations mind-numbingly dull? … Do you want to break free from the status quo? … Do…
strong>The 4th of July is American Independence Day — a national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s a day commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts and all sorts of celebrations. As we do every year, my family will be celebrating with our traditional, always stupendous cookout and fireworks display in Summit, New Jersey.
But this year, our celebration will be taking on a different focus. You see, over the past several months I’ve been consulting with the U.S. Department of the Army. While most of my work has been with civilians, participants often include retired soldiers or those currently on active duty.
Simply stated, the experience has been a humbling one.
When you are invited to speak, it’s important to understand exactly what you are being asked to do. Understanding your client’s expectation is the first step to understanding your role and expectations. Cathy was meeting resistance from her fellow presenters, possibly because they each had differing views of the event — was this to be a keynote, team presentation or a panel discussion? Such confusion could be easily cleared up by the client.
Tired of the tedium of typical PowerPoint presentations, challenge yourself to develop a pecha kucha.
And just like “Dancing with the Stars” contestants must both rehearse and mentally prepare for their performances each week, you should have a similar “ritual” to ensure the effectiveness of your presentation. Consider making these 5 steps the foundation of your next presentation an you may win the coveted “mirror ball” trophy!
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