(1 minute read)
Let’s start this blog by myth-busting a widely held belief that the number one fear – worldwide – is that of speaking in public.
The number 1 position in fears or phobias remains in the white-knuckled grip of Arachnophobes – those with a fear of spiders. (The fear of public speaking, or not being able to do a speech – Glossophobia – sits in 13th place on the list of fears and phobias).
Now that’s out of the way, let’s look at 8 tips to improve any presentation.
- Aim to Engage – Memorable presentations seem to have the right balance of information and emotion. Simply reciting facts with minimal passion or humour can lead to a disengaged – and disinterested – audience.
- Pace Yourself – Nervous and inexperienced speakers tend to talk too fast. Consciously slow your speech down and add pauses for emphasis.
- Eye Contact – Because it instils trust & credibility, regularly exchange eye contact with your audience.
- Simplify the Complex – Aim to summarise your idea, so it doesn’t require a long & lengthy explanation.
- Embrace Stories – Stories can bring ideas to life. Learn how to use stories to create an emotional connection between ideas for the audience.
- Vary your Vocals – In addition to projecting your voice, employ the other vocal variables for added effect – tone, articulation, emphasis, emotion, and pacing.
- Gesture for Effect – Dr Albert Mehrabian’s famous study uncovered the value in adding gestures to embellish verbal content. In addition to the obvious animation, it can bring congruence to your messaging.
- Practise, Practise, Practise – Effective and persuasive presenting is considered a powerful skill to add to your resume, and so well-worth the practise it deserves.
So, there you have it.
With practice and attention to these 8 tips, you can make your presentations more meaningful and memorable.