No two presenters are alike. Presentations are a form of expression, similar to talking, writing, or dressing. It’s an avenue to show off your personality. Ever wondered why you still feel awkward even after all the presentation delivery tips you’ve read? It’s probably because you haven’t found the delivery style that suits your personality.
Most people think that public speaking is a natural-born talent. It’s true that some people are more inclined to it than others. Some people have personalities that make them more outgoing, or a better storyteller. But really, it’s all a matter of finding a presentation delivery style that suits your unique traits. You want to sound like a president giving an inaugural address, but your personality is actually a bit more laid back and humorous.
To help, we identified four different presentation delivery styles. Take some time to figure out where you fall. Maybe you fit right into one category, or you could be a combination of some of these types.
The Campfire Chat
This presentation delivery style can turn a keynote address to an intimate affair between friends. People who employ the Campfire Chat can create an atmosphere that makes the audience comfortable, attentive, and entertained. Their secret lies in making their presentation relatable with anecdotes, analogies, and metaphors.
Examples:
Shonda Rhimes in her Dartmouth commencement speech
Seth Godin in “How to get your ideas to spread”
This presentation delivery style is for you if:
- You enjoy sharing stories, no matter how random they seem
- You find interest in almost anything, even the most mundane things
The Rally Cry
The Rally Cry is a presentation delivery style that balances both inspiration and persuasion. People with this style can convince the audience to examine their perspectives about a specific topic. They can successfully lead others to take action. The key to this delivery style is to be completely confident in your presentation and the ideas behind it.
Examples:
Martin Luther King, Jr. in his historical speech, “I Have a Dream”
Susan Cain’s “The power of introverts”
This presentation delivery style is for you if:
- You’re passionate and driven about turning your vision into reality
- You’re not afraid to share how you feel or speak your mind
The Eye-opening Lecture
This presentation delivery style allows the audience to digest new information, no matter how complex. The presentations can be dense with data, but the audience never loses sight of the integral message behind it. The secret weapon of Lecture presenters is their ability to illustrate complicated concepts through visuals and props.
Examples:
Al Gore in the presentations that inspired the film An Inconvenient Truth
Bill Gates in “Innovating to zero” and “Mosquitos, malaria and education”
This presentation delivery style is for you if:
- You’ve always been the de facto leader in group settings
- You enjoy learning new information and pouring over its details
The Main Act
The Main Act is a delivery style that turns a presentation into a full experience. It’s playful and fun, but not without a specific goal. Presenters employing this style make use of visuals, stories, and perfectly-timed jokes to drive home their point.
Examples:
Steve Jobs’ product launches and keynotes
Sir Ken Robinson in “How schools kill creativity”
This presentation delivery style is for you if:
- You’re innovative and always excited about big ideas
- You’re humorous and can easily improvise
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