Tag: presentation tips

3 Tips to Avoid Being Late to Your Own Presentation

being on time

credibility

lateness

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

tardiness

time management

Jul 18, 2016

Time is an essential factor in most professional presentations.It’s important to keep yourself on a schedule not only before your speech, but after it as well. However, even with the precautions against poor time management, people still end up showing late to meetings and presentations.As a listener, tardiness is slightly forgivable. As a speaker, however, being late could cost you your credibility and your listeners.If you’ve been late to your own presentation before, repeating your mistake definitely sends out the wrong message. People might stop attending your talks once you’ve become associated with tardiness. It doesn’t matter if it’s five or thirty minutes. People will remember.Be on time by following three tips:

Don’t Stall

Lateness is often associated with laziness. According to management consultant Diana DeLonzor in her book, Never Be Late Again, this image is countered by a type of tardiness that’s caused by wanting to cram too many things in too short a time. In trying to get everything done at once, you might lose track of time and forget to get going.If you find yourself identifying as a crammer, don’t let it get in the way of proper planning. Keeping a timetable to track your progress avoids procrastination. The definite outline of a set schedule prevents you from squeezing in any extra last-minute activities.Know what time your presentation is going to start and plan your agenda around that. Give yourself a five-minute allowance for any unexpected complications you may encounter mid-preparation. Having spent all your time, gather all the materials you need and leave.Don’t stall with extra activities. Get up and go.

Prepare for Downtime

Studies show that late people are really afraid of being early. Being punctual may trigger a deep-seated fear of not knowing what to do.For presenters, arriving before the audience causes anxiety while waiting for the room to fill up. In such cases, learn to plan for the downtime. You don’t have to sit idly and let your stage fright consume you. There are a number of helpful activities you can do before your presentation. You can start doing warm-up drills that can improve your body language. It’s also possible to do some breathing exercises to ease your nerves. Simple things like stretching and taking deep breaths will keep you preoccupied long enough.Once you’ve established that you have something to do with the spare time, you’ll find it easier to come on time.

Be Mindful

The most effective way to combat lateness is to be mindful. Check the time every now and then to see if you’re still on track. You may lose yourself in preparation and forget about doing the other things you need to do.Another timetable comes in handy here. Being aware of how much time you spend on a task lets you improve your pace. However, this isn’t limited to pre-presentation. You can also apply this to your actual speech. Monitor yourself as you speak and make sure to end on time. Keeping your audience longer than the allotted span will also frustrate them and make them zone out on you.

Conclusion

Learn to overcome your tardiness.Don’t stall during your preparation. Once you’re done, head out the door. If you arrive early and get anxious with the long wait, prepare activities to keep you busy during the downtime. Be mindful of the time you spend on everything to avoid upsetting your audience.Delivering a good presentation involves improving all aspects of your performance, including your time management.Need help with your presentation? Contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote! 

References:

Durayappah, Adoree. “The Real Reason Some of Us Are Chronically Late.” Psychology Today. November 14, 2014. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thriving101/201411/the-real-reason-some-us-are-chronically-late”Here’s How You Can Stop Being Late All the Time.” Time. May 22, 2014. www.time.com/106815/stop-being-late Featured Image: “Time” by Moyan Brenn on flickr.com

Psychological Biases: Overconfidence in Sales Presentations

Confidence

presentation tips

psychological bias

psychology

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jun 20, 2016

We used to believe that too much of anything can be a bad thing; these include excessive sleeping, drinking, and eating. Beside these daily activities, there’s one human trait that can best explain the above mentioned adage: overconfidence.Overconfidence is a self-delusion that may lead to disastrous situations and wrong decisions. For example, overconfident drivers and motorists who take great risks on the road are more prone to car accidents. Being overconfident, however, can also be a good thing.According to a study, people who are proud of themselves are more likely to get rewards than those who are self-conscious. The research implies that delusional confidence isn’t absolutely a negative trait. In fact, it can help you reap better results at work and other aspects of life.Here’s how psychological contexts discuss overconfidence and how it can make sales presentations more effective.

Defining the “Overconfidence Effect”

The overconfidence effect refers to a biased way of seeing oneself and placing too much faith in personal knowledge and opinions. It’s a cognitive bias in which people think they are better than their own characteristics, abilities, and judgement. This is a common phenomenon for entrepreneurs who are not afraid of making risky decisions when improving their chances to succeed.

Why Use Overconfidence in Presentations

Being overconfident during sales presentations may add value to your pitch and boost your professional image. It allows you to persuade the audience through confident postures, body language, and vocal tone. This appears to be a significant factor in making people see the huge potential of your proposal. It also allows you to realize your full capabilities.As Anisa Shyti writes, the probability of succeeding in something depends on three things: how well you know the topic, how familiar you are with it, and how difficult you think it is. When you think that you’re stronger or smarter than you really are, you’re close to motivating yourself to perform better.

How to Make Overconfidence Your Ally

This psychological bias will only become your friend when your actual presentation performance equates to your promises. By this, we mean presenting with reasonable confidence and guaranteed accuracy. Self-belief and performance should meet halfway to come up with good results.This is why you need to know your sales presentation by heart, from start to finish, to make your buoyancy a genuine one. Emphasizing your successful sales records and sharing client testimonials are some of the effective ways when justifying self-confidence. To boost your credibility and prevent damaging your self-worth, every information that you present must be 100% true.

Think You’re the Greatest

Even if overconfidence has gained a bad reputation in society, its psychological bias still presents many advantages. Our confidence influences a determined personality and attracts greater possibilities. A strong character allows you to show positive and convincing presentation cues, which can make your pitch more effective.Take advantage of your self-worth to give your speech more charisma and power.Featured Image: “Consumer Confidence” by Chris & Karen Highlandon flickr.com

3 Presentation Tips Speakers Can Learn from Comedians

business pitches

comedians

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

sales presentations

SlideGenius

Jun 15, 2016

Comedians are known for telling humorous stories, jokes, and monologues that bring excitement and interest to audiences. Corporate presenters, on the other hand, focus more on delivering detailed information to inform and persuade the crowd.Do you need to be a comedian to be an effective presenter?No, but there are few crucial tips that stand-up comedians can teach professional speakers about delivering sales presentations.What, then, do comedians and public speakers have in common? Where do they differ, and what lessons can we learn from them?

What’s the Secret?

Comedians are experts at cracking jokes and convincing audiences to have fun during their performance. Like them, you can do humorous presentations that convince the crowd to listen while understanding your message. They also use silence to emphasize a certain point and give the audience time to absorb a particular idea.Aside from your presentation’s content, your delivery can also contribute to a successful communication.To help you become a more confident, passionate, and entertaining speaker, here are three things to consider:

1. Be Prepared

Lack of practice will only harm your pitch. If you don’t make time for it, chances are, you’ll get sidetracked by unexpected situations.Preparation is still the best way to manage your fear and overcome anxiety. If you know your content by heart, you’ll be able to deliver a clear presentation. This involves warming up your voice, mastering proper facial expressions, and rehearsing your business pitches to engage your audience effectively.

2. Stay Away from the Lectern

Lecterns aren’t bad at all. While they can be used to hide your notes and materials from your audience, comedians often avoid lecterns and focus on throwing puns at their audiences. They also maintain eye contact so as not to lose their attention and keep them in tune.When presenting, avoid relying too much on the lectern. This can help you concentrate on dealing with the crowd and remove any barriers that create distance between you and your listeners.

3. Learn from Failures

Everybody makes mistakes, including presenters.Making people laugh is one of the hardest things to do. However, comedians do their best to meet this expectation.When you fail, remember: it can teach you to be a better presenter. Giving up will only stop you from improving. Understand this: all professionals experience hardships. Use this knowledge to improve and excel.

The Punchline: Learn the Basics

Being well-prepared, staying away from the lectern, and learning from failures are only a few lessons presenters can borrow from comedians. Once you master these techniques, you’ll be able to develop good relationships and achieve a more effective presentation.To help you deliver a more dynamic and entertaining presentation, SlideGenius experts can assist you and offer you a free quote.

How Does Fidgeting Affect Your Professional Presentation?

bad habit

body language

fidgeting

nonverbal clues

preparation

presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jun 01, 2016

Good posture is essential in public speaking because it allows you to project confidence. Slouching, swaying, and moving restlessly will only make you look nervous and unprepared.Projecting yourself professionally involves cutting off bad habits like fidgeting. If you aren’t aware of how it can affect your performance, you’ll end up distracting and disappointing your audience.Fidgeting is a display of constant movements that disturb others. In her book, How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships, internationally acclaimed communications expert and motivational speaker Leil Lowndes advises presenters to avoid committing the behavior: “Whenever your conversation really counts, let your nose itch, your ear tingle, or your foot prickle. Do not fidget, twitch, wiggle, squirm, or scratch.”Fiddling with your notes, playing with your hands, loosening your collar, and gripping the lectern’s corners are only a few examples of this behavior.Presenters subconsciously fidget when they’re experiencing performance anxiety or stage fright, which trigger stress hormones. Here are a few tips to cut off the bad habit and ace your professional presentation:

Observe Yourself

According to public speaking coach Jacki Rose, body language makes up the biggest part of successful communication. As you rehearse, consider recording yourself to observe how you behave during your pitch. It doesn’t only help you identify what you need to improve on; it also lets you pinpoint what needs to be removed, including unnecessary movements.Ask your peers to watch you and let them give feedback afterward. Do this several times and review what causes you to commit the same habit. Is it because of technical problems? Did someone from your listeners distract you?Once you recognize what prompted this act, use your positive habits to counter the negative ones and emphasize your ideas. If tapping your foot on the ground is one of those good habits, start stepping forward when explaining a certain point.

Take Time to Relax

You might think this is common for presenters, but it’s not.Reminding yourself to relax releases tension and lets you focus on what you need to accomplish. If speaking in front of a large crowd makes you fidget, develop positive self-talk and feed yourself with encouraging thoughts.Worrying won’t help. Believing in yourself improves your confidence, allowing you to maintain a positive outlook while speaking in public. Never allow fear to overpower your self-esteem. Calm your nerves by breathing deeply to soothe anxiety. With deliberate practice, you can improve your strengths and slowly overcome your weaknesses.

Be Well-Prepared

Whether you’re a skilled veteran or a novice, preparation is still vital for your success. Delivery is more important than well-prepared visuals in achieving an effective presentation.Preparation involves training yourself. In this case, you’re training to catch yourself fidgeting or projecting unnecessary gestures. Stand in front of a mirror to give you an idea of how you look while presenting.Once you’re ready, you’ll be more confident to speak and convince your audience to listen.

Stop Fidgeting

You won’t be able to overcome negative behavior without figuring out what causes bad mannerisms. Having a positive mindset will help you move toward achieving self-confidence.Remember, your audience doesn’t only rely on your presentation’s content. Nonverbal cues also contribute in interpreting your message clearly. Break bad habits by observing yourself, calming your nerves, and being well-equipped to prevent any distractions that can ruin your performance and delay your success.Resist the temptation to start fidgeting and notice how it makes you a better presenter.Back up your skills with a well-designed PowerPoint presentation by letting our team to assist and offer you a free quote!

References

Lowndes, Leil. How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, 2003.Rose, Jacki. “Body Language – stop your nervous fidgeting!” Public Speaking Can Be Fun, January 8, 2007. www.publicspeakingcanbefun.blogspot.com/2007/01/body-language-stop-your-nervous.html

Displaying Slide Presentations Using Large Screens

powerpoint presentation

presentation tips

Presentations

Rick Enrico

slide presentations

SlideGenius

Apr 25, 2016

Large screens, such as projectors, LED displays, or even interactive whiteboards, can transform the delivery of your slide presentation by creating an immersive and dynamic viewing experience. However, maximizing the potential of large screens requires careful planning and thoughtful design choices. Here’s a guide to effectively displaying your slide presentations using large screens.

1. Optimize Your Slide Design for Large Screens

When using large screens, your slides should be designed to be visually impactful from any distance. Small text or overly detailed visuals can be hard to read on large displays, especially for viewers sitting farther away.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Readability: Larger fonts and simple layouts ensure that everyone in the audience can read the content, regardless of their position in the room.
  • Improves Visual Impact: Large screens amplify visual elements, so bold and clear design choices will create a stronger impression.

How to Do It:

  • Use larger font sizes (minimum 30pt for headings and 20pt for body text).
  • Limit the amount of text on each slide. Opt for one key point per slide with supporting visuals.
  • Use high-quality images and vector graphics that won’t pixelate or blur when scaled up on a large screen.

2. Adjust Aspect Ratios and Resolutions

When presenting on large screens, the aspect ratio and resolution of your slides must match the display to avoid distortion or poor image quality. Many modern large screens and projectors use widescreen formats (16:9), so ensure your slides are set up correctly.Why It’s Important:

  • Avoids Distortion: Ensuring the correct aspect ratio prevents your slides from appearing stretched or squashed.
  • Maintains Clarity: High-resolution slides provide clear visuals, essential for large displays where every detail is magnified.

How to Do It:

  • Set your slides to the correct aspect ratio. Go to the Design tab in PowerPoint, click Slide Size, and select 16:9 (Widescreen) for most modern displays.
  • Ensure your presentation resolution matches the screen’s resolution. Opt for at least 1920×1080 (Full HD) or higher if the screen supports 4K.

3. Use Contrasting Colors for Better Visibility

Large screens can sometimes wash out colors, making it difficult to see details, especially in brightly lit rooms. Choosing high-contrast color schemes ensures that your content remains visible and easy to read, no matter the lighting conditions.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Visibility: High contrast makes text and visuals stand out, even in bright environments.
  • Prevents Eye Strain: Clear, well-contrasted slides are easier for the audience to focus on and read.

How to Do It:

  • Use dark backgrounds with light text (or vice versa) for maximum contrast. For example, a dark navy background with white text works well in most lighting conditions.
  • Avoid using colors that blend together or are too similar in tone (e.g., light blue on white).
  • Test your slides on a large screen before the presentation to ensure the colors are legible in various lighting settings.

4. Focus on Simple Animations and Transitions

While animations and transitions can add dynamism to a presentation, on large screens, excessive animations can become distracting or overwhelming. Keep animations minimal and purposeful.Why It’s Important:

  • Maintains Focus: Simple, subtle animations direct attention without overwhelming the viewer.
  • Ensures Smooth Performance: Large screens require more processing power for complex animations, so simple effects reduce the risk of technical issues.

How to Do It:

  • Stick to basic transitions, like fades or wipes, to avoid abrupt visual distractions.
  • Use animations sparingly, such as highlighting key points or transitioning between major sections of your presentation.
  • Test your animations on the large screen beforehand to ensure they run smoothly without lag.

5. Manage Audio and Video Content for Large Screens

Large screens often come with integrated audio-visual capabilities, making them ideal for multimedia presentations. However, it’s essential to ensure that video and audio files are high-quality and compatible with the display system.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Engagement: Incorporating videos or sound can make your presentation more dynamic, but poor-quality media will detract from the overall experience.
  • Prevents Technical Glitches: Ensuring media compatibility avoids playback issues during your presentation.

How to Do It:

  • Use high-resolution videos (at least 1080p) to maintain clarity on large screens.
  • Ensure that your audio is clear and at an appropriate volume. If the room is large, consider using external speakers to amplify sound.
  • Test videos on the large screen to check for smooth playback and synchronized audio.

6. Practice Managing Your Presentation

Handling large screens can be more complex than presenting on a regular monitor. You need to familiarize yourself with the technology and adjust your presentation style accordingly, especially if you’re using multiple screens or interactive features.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Confidence: Familiarity with the equipment ensures you’re prepared for any technical issues and can smoothly manage transitions and multimedia.
  • Engages the Audience: Practicing with the large screen helps you use its features to your advantage, such as knowing when to move around the stage or engage with visuals.

How to Do It:

  • Practice your presentation in the room where it will be displayed, using the actual screen to get a sense of how your slides look and feel.
  • If using interactive features like laser pointers or clickers, ensure that they work well with the large display.
  • Familiarize yourself with the screen controls (e.g., switching between screens or managing volume) before the presentation starts.

7. Leverage Multiple Screens

For larger venues or events, you might have access to multiple large screens. This setup allows you to show different types of content simultaneously or ensure that everyone in the audience has a clear view of the slides.Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Accessibility: Multiple screens ensure that even those sitting far from the main screen can still see your presentation clearly.
  • Enhances Engagement: You can display supporting content on additional screens, such as live polls, social media feeds, or complementary visuals.

How to Do It:

  • Plan your content accordingly, deciding what should be shown on the primary screen versus any additional screens.
  • Coordinate with your AV team to ensure that all screens are synchronized and displaying the correct content throughout the presentation.

Final Thoughts

Displaying slide presentations on large screens offers an opportunity to create a more immersive, engaging experience for your audience. By optimizing your slide design, using high-quality media, managing transitions and animations, and practicing with the equipment, you can ensure that your presentation shines on the big screen. Whether in a boardroom or conference hall, these strategies will help you maximize the impact of your slides.

How Stepping into the Beam Can Help Your Presentation

Powerpoint

powerpoint presentation

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Mar 21, 2016

In public speaking, crossing the projector’s beam is one of the biggest no-nos that every presenter should be aware of. It’s a careless act that greatly distracts audiences from a distance while also lessening your credibility.Like other disruptions, this can lose your audience’s interest and prevent your presentation’s success, no different from how poor delivery and cluttered PowerPoint decks make the crowd zone out. However, is walking over the beam and covering your projection really all that bad all the time?

Can It Really Be Effective?

In every rule, there’s an exception. While it’s true that blocking off the audience from viewing your slides is a mistake, it could still work for certain situations.In her article, presentation trainer and public speaker Olivia Mitchell explains that delivering a pitch with statistical concepts can be difficult, with all the numerical data displayed. However, it can be better understood by using visual illustrations, such as graphs and charts, to make it more interesting. TED speaker Hans Rosling, a data visionary and global health expert, is an example of a professional presenter who brings complex statistics into life. While speaking, he likes to get into the beam. But instead of distracting audiences, it makes it easier for them to understand the statistical facts that he’s presenting.

What Does It Indicate?

Making your data sing doesn’t only provoke interest. It also convinces your audience to listen attentively. This is what Hans Rosling does to show his enthusiasm in interacting both with his slides and audience. He makes sure that the crowd understands his message by exaggerating body movements that emphasize his words.In doing so, he considers his PowerPoint presentation as his partner in conveying his main idea. While laser pointers can help you emphasize a certain point, circling around a particular word or phrase can be distracting, putting the focus on the pointer instead of on your speech. Simply pointing to it using your finger can work to deliver a clearer idea.

How Do You Get in the Beam?

To help you out, here’s a few guidelines for getting into the projector’s beam:

1. Be aware of your position. Going to the venue prior to your performance can give you an idea on where to put yourself come presentation time. You can also practice walking around the podium and plan the right location to stay in.2. Don’t block off your audience’s view. Allowing the crowd to see your slide completely is one of your goals as a presenter. You don’t want to hinder your audience from comprehending your message. Once you display your text or visual onscreen, you can get into the beam and let your body language heighten your performance.3. Interact with your listeners. Explaining your slides is important, but focusing on your audience is more important. You can physically go into your visuals but make sure not to set the crowd aside.

To Beam or Not to Beam?

Getting into the beam while presenting can be distracting. However, considering your audience can help you pull it off for a more interesting and persuasive presentation. Though it’s frequently considered a recipe for a disastrous performance, there are always exceptions to the rule.Be conscious of your body language, your venue, and your audience so you can judge for yourself if you should be jumping into the beam. Our PowerPoint professionals can assist and offer you a free quote to craft PowerPoint decks that stand out.

Check out and share this infographic!

https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/beam-it-up-how-to-step-into-the-light

Reference

Mitchell, Olivia. “How Getting in the Beam Makes You a Better Presenter.” Speaking About Presenting. September 17, 2009. www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/delivery/getting-in-the-beam

Know Your Role: When to Use Sway and PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Sway

powerpoint presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Mar 14, 2016

Microsoft Sway is an app that lets you create storyboards with Web content. It’s been considered a more user-friendly substitute for PowerPoint thanks to its accessibility and importing features. Some even lauded it as Microsoft’s response to complaints thrown at the long-standing presentation aid.Launched August 5 last year, Sway imports social media and Web content to create scrolling Web-based presentations. According to Stu Robarts of Gizmag, it’s also connected to other apps that optimize your work. Despite these functions, its has been met with some apprehension from both loyal PowerPoint users and skeptics alike.Is it really an alternative for corporate presentations? Can it really tell stories in a visually engaging way for the boardroom? Or is it meant for a more general audience on the Web?

Strengths and Weaknesses

Like any product, this latest alternative still needs to prove its long-term efficiency. However, there are traits we can take at face value to compare with PowerPoint.According to Sway’s senior product manager, David Alexander, it was designed with the intention of moving away from PowerPoint’s originally paper-based analog format to digital presentations. This may explain Sway’s inclination for app collaboration and its scrolling format. Its easy edit and layout options, as well as its optimal performance on mobile, make it perfect for on-the-go individuals who have no time to meticulously attend to their decks but still want visually engaging presentations.On the other hand, PowerPoint still stands its ground as the leading visual aid, not just because it’s been around longer but also because of its wider range of features to choose from, particularly in terms of animation and transitions. While Sway may have an auto-edit option, the more hands-on approach PowerPoint offers allow corporate pitches to be shown exactly the way its presenters want it.Since both tools bring individual strengths to the table, it’s time to take a closer look at Microsoft’s new little brother:https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/know-your-role-when-to-use-sway-and-powerpoint

References

Lopez, Napier. “Microsoft’s Sway App Takes on PowerPoint with New Features and a Windows 10 App.” TheNextWeb. August 5, 2015. thenextweb.com/microsoft/2015/08/05/microsofts-sway-app-takes-on-powerpoint-with-new-features-and-a-windows-10-appRobarts, Stu. “What Is Microsoft Sway?” GizMag. August 12, 2015. www.gizmag.com/microsoft-sway-introduction/38833″Sway Is Not Replacing PowerPoint: The Real Story.” Think Outside The Slide. November 21, 2014. www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/sway-is-not-replacing-powerpoint-the-real-story”Sway Preview Expands and Delivers More Feature Improvements.” Microsoft Office. December 15, 2014. blogs.office.com/2014/12/15/sway-preview-expands-delivers-feature-improvements

Prepare Your Defenses: Battling Noise in Sales Presentations

business presentation

combat noise

powerpoint slides

presentation

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

sales presentations

SlideGenius

Feb 29, 2016

As we’ve seen in stories, zombies are drawn to loud noises. This lets them swarm you and prevent you from reaching whatever goal you have set. Applying this in our line of work as presenters, there’s no better way to infect the audience with zombie-like expressions than letting noise interfere with your own pitch.It’s impossible to get your message across if the crowd can’t hear you properly, but this isn’t limited to sounds that your audience can hear. Noise can also come in the form of unnecessary interruptions that get in the way of your business presentation. Technical glitches, distracting colors, inappropriate pictures, unreadable fonts, even a malfunctioning air conditioner can all count as noise.Simply put, anything that makes your listeners uncomfortable is a potential hazard. These can prevent you from convincing them to invest in your proposal, which means lost partners and potential profits. Fortunately, there are two types of noise and three ways to immunize your clients from it.In a post written on Public Speaking Tips, professional speaker and author, Lenny Laskowski, states that noise comes in two forms: external and internal.

External Noise

The first type may come from your surroundings, disrupting effective communication with your listeners. An unsilenced phone going off, a tall person blocking the view of another behind him, or an unexpected update notification flashing in the middle of your presentation can get in the way of delivering a successful performance.Parts of your audio-visual aid might even unintentionally distract your audience. For example, if the speaker volume isn’t high enough, any narration that might be embedded won’t be heard. The same thing applies to your visuals if the screen is too bright or too dark.Using colors can also be a distraction. If the setting or topic requires formality, using bright colors isn’t ideal to complement a formal presentation. The same goes for times when you need to put on an energetic personality and fire up your audience but end up using dark colors in your slides.The venue itself is also a factor. If it’s too hot, too dark, or uncomfortable because there aren’t enough seats, people may have trouble listening to you. That’s why you should always check out the area beforehand.

Internal Noise

The second type, internal distractions, are worse because these come from within and may include your own negative thoughts and feelings.You might be emotionally distracted by being too enthusiastic or possibly tired, which can affect the energy you have for your presentation. A lack of energy or sounding too serious can give the impression that you just want to get your speech over with. It may be fine to sound enthusiastic, but too much of it, like in an investor’s presentation, might make you sound too biased if you make promises without backing them up with hard facts. Alternatively, if you become too serious in an event that needs a more casual and friendly setting, this can send the wrong impression to your clients and infect them with that same lack of interest.On the other hand, the audience might also be biased or have misgivings about your topic, especially if you present any new unproven products that have yet to enter the market. While skepticism may be unavoidable, you need to prepare for possible contrasting opinions during your Q&A section if you have one.Here are three things to consider when combatting both types of noise to safeguard your presentation’s success:

1. Detect the Source of Noise

Damon Verial, a professional writer and contributor for various Web sites, including eHow, tackles the importance of finding the source of noise. He explains that depending on the importance of the situation, noise should be eliminated through various means.Careful preparation is what helps you avoid unwanted interruptions, but despite your best efforts, some unexpected circumstances are still hard to prepare for. For example, your laptop might randomly shut off, or your slides could suddenly freeze while presenting. In times like these, you need to have backup devices that have copies of your presentation, if possible, so you can pick up where you left off immediately.Before striking back, identify the root of the problem to find an immediate solution. Was it lack of preparation that disgruntled you? Or was it a problem with the venue that disturbed your presentation? The former can be taken as a lesson for what to prepare for next time. The latter can be resolved with some help. In this case, ask for the organizer’s help to take control of the situation and minimize any disruptions.For technical problems, politely ask the coordinator to help you fix any issues so you can continue your presentation. This will help you handle the situation and put everything in place. Lighting problems, sound systems, microphones, and even power cables are things that they should be ready for.

2. Sharpen Your Listening Skills

Your job isn’t limited to speaking; listening is also vital to dealing with your audience. With the end goal of delivering a message, improving your listening skills is an essential part of the process. You need to know what concerns your clients will have when you bring your proposal to the table. These aren’t limited to prices. Timelines, implementation costs, and possible benefits are also factors to determining how feasible your proposal can be.However, passive listening isn’t enough. To be an effective listener, actively seek out and attend to people’s concerns. This lets you better understand what they mean when they ask questions about your topic. After all, noise works both ways too: you need to ask for clarifications if clients voice out their concerns in order to prevent any misunderstanding and give appropriate responses.By being an attentive listener, you get to answer in a constructive and engaging manner while showing your audience respect. This gives the impression that you genuinely want to know what others need, as opposed to simply pushing your products out and hoping someone will be willing to invest in them.Aside from convincing them to voice out their opinions, give your viewers a chance to help you clarify anything that needs to be addressed. This prevents any possible misunderstandings that can divert their attention.

3. Harness the Power of Repetition

Never underestimate the power of repetition when combatting unwanted noise. People remembering your pitch after it’s over can make the difference between success and failure. If your prospects remember what you want them to, and you give them the means to contact you afterwards, you’re halfway to converting more leads to sales.Simply having excellent speaking skills isn’t enough. You also want your listeners to remember the best parts of your performance. That’s why audience recall is important in any presentation. Keep your points simple enough to repeat them for emphasis but not so much that you endlessly reiterate each one. Are there aspects of your proposal that you can reduce into one to three words? Use these to reinforce your speech and support your facts so that the audience will remember exactly what you stand for.A simple way to improve recall is to repeat your main points during vital breaks or at the end of your pitch. This highlights important takeaways for the audience, emphasizing your thoughts and stressing relevant information for your listeners to make your pitch memorable.Done right, it makes your pitch sound more entertaining and convincing.

The Takeaway: Always Stay Alert

Always anticipate an onslaught of diversions. These can come from the venue, your equipment, your slides, or even yourself or the audience. Consider the appropriate tools to use and have backups in place when technical breakdowns happen. It won’t hurt to coordinate with your organizers for any contingencies you can use in worst-case scenarios, too. This lets you stay focused to avoid further distracting your listeners.Instead of immediately going on the offensive, strengthen your defenses against disturbing noises that can ruin your performance. At the same time, maintain a solid feedback line for communicating with your audience. They may not always understand you, but if you take efforts to understand their side of things, you’ll be able to find out exactly what causes the noise on their end. You’ll also come across as someone who wants to build better business partnerships with other people rather than a typical salesman who simply talks about their own products without considering if it’s the right fit for his customers.Don’t let negative thoughts or circumstances overwhelm you. Combat them by detecting the unnecessary noise, enhancing your listening skills, and reiterating your ideas to make sure everyone gets the point. Once you’ve got unnecessary noise under control, you’ll have the audience focusing on the most important things: the benefits that you can give them, and why they should choose you over the competition. This’ll prevent spreading blank stares to the audience and help you convert more leads for your business.

References:

Laskowski, Lenny. “Aspect 6 – The Noise.” Public Speaking Tips, May 22, 2015. www.ljlseminars.blogspot.comVerial, Damon. “How to Overcome Noise Barriers in Communication.” eHow, n.d. www.ehow.com/how_8031308_overcome-noise-barriers-communication.html

3 Ways to Make People Fall in Love With Your Presentation

audience engagement

presentation

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

valentine's day

Feb 12, 2016

It’s the most romantic time of the year, with Valentine’s Day personified by Cupid, who has long played a role in the celebrations of love. It was believed that if Cupid’s arrow struck your heart, you would fall in love with the next person you meet.What if there was a way you could make people fall in love with you and your presentation without having to shoot any love arrows at anybody’s heart?In present times, you don’t have to learn archery to aim at and win someone’s heart, but there are countless ways to make the person you love notice you. Most of them are based on desirable characteristics, such as physical appearance, perceived behavior, and social skills, a lot of which have to do with being kind and charming.After all, Valentines is that time of the year when everyone expresses their love and appreciation for the special people in their lives by gifting them with flowers, greeting cards, chocolates, and other sweet surprises. Does this mean that you have to shower your existing and prospective clients with gifts, printed collaterals, and other merchandise?Well, not exactly.

What Makes People Fall in Love with Presenters?

The variables that influence the feeling of attraction aren’t limited to love per se. They’re also essential to making fruitful relationships that go beyond intimacy. This means you can use the same tactics to get professionals to fall in love with you and agree to start a business partnership with you.So the question is: What sort of gifts would you give as a presenter?Instead of focusing on the material aspects of gifts, we recommend delving deep and bringing out the best parts of your personality instead. In this post, we’ll discuss how to make people fall in love with you on a professional level by making the most out of your body language, communication skills, and your personality. Check out these specific tips to grab your audience’s attention and make them want more:

1. Seduce Them with Gestures

As a presenter, you may feel a lot of pressure to offer some grand and amazing benefits to woo the audience over to your side. While having a strong brand and offering always helps in convincing your listeners to close a business deal with you, sometimes all you need are sweet romantic gestures to show deep affection for the love of your life.As what many people would say, “Actions are incomparably more attractive, effective, and valuable than words.”The same thing can be said for presentations. Your speech isn’t enough to get someone’s eye on you—after all, they aren’t just listening to you through a phone or speaker. They’re engaging all of their senses as they watch you, especially their sense of sight. That’s why you need to take all aspects of public speaking seriously and do it as if you’re wooing the person you like or, in this case, a person you want to convert into a lead.Spice up your talking points with enticing yet subtle gestures and body language to win people over. In fact, research by Toastmaster International has found that purposeful body movements can benefit you in three ways: support what you say, attract audience’s attention, and relieve physical tension. In particular, smiling at your listeners makes you look more appealing and engaging. This friendly physical cue ensures good rapport and improves your chances of sealing a business partnership.According to a study by researchers Kellerman, Lewis, and Laird, you can also make a person fall in love with you by looking into their eyes. This comes in handy during presentations when you want to build a fruitful relationship with your audience. Make sure to hold your viewer’s gaze, but you don’t have to look at them 100% of the time. It’s okay to take a quick peek at your notes or pick up a prop to make your speech more natural.Express these body movements as naturally as possible so that you can stand out and win over the competition.

2. Communicate with Kindness

Whether they’re of the personal or professional sort, all relationships can benefit from clear communication. It allows people to voice out their interests, share their concerns, and influence others’ decisions. On the other hand, not having clear communication lines can lead to misunderstandings, split-ups, poor sales, and lost deals.In the same way that you wouldn’t be able to read your love interest’s mind, you can’t exactly use special powers to figure out exactly what’s going on inside your audience’s head. That’s why you should work on improving your communication skills to foster a healthier and stronger business relationship.As a presenter, you need to communicate with gentleness to keep people listening because addressing them aggressively will result in unwanted confrontation that might turn them off. Consider your audience’s needs to get everyone on the same page. Ask questions to get a better grasp of what they really want. When you’re more aware of their needs, you’ll be able to map out a more specific strategy that will appeal to their interests. You’ll have more control of your overall presentation flow.Active listening also makes people feel more loved and appreciated. Respond with neutral phrases like “I see” and “Yes” to show that you’re taking an interest in them. These responses express your high level of respect for your audience’s ideas, encouraging them to participate more in the discussion.Make sure not to look away from the person who’s speaking, or else, you might make them feel like you’re not paying attention to them at all. At the same time, staring too long at them might make them feel uncomfortable. To combat this, try nodding occasionally at certain points to show that you’re still listening and that you understand what they’re trying to say.Besides asking questions and listening to their side of things, telling funny yet appropriate jokes is another way to boost your likability. Make some witty and humorous remarks to hook them in more with your pitch. Just make sure your jokes are appropriate and relevant to the discussion; having too many jokes makes you seem like you’re not taking the discussion seriously, while offensive jokes can stain your professional image.All it takes is a little act of kindness to make people feel like they’re floating on air.

3. Charm Them with Your Personality

Acceptance and love must come from within. It’s hard to build loving relations with others if you don’t start with loving yourself. The same idea goes for presentations. With that in mind, work on maintaining a positive attitude and let your personality shine through to nurture fruitful business relationships.Don’t point out your weak skills when courting someone. It’s usually not the right time or venue for it and may even permanently change people’s perspective of how capable you are. Instead, focus on further improving your strengths and consider your weaknesses as points for improvement. Building upon your strong points and working around your weak points are about seeing these things as opportunities rather than problems. Manage them both to improve your overall performance and charm the crowd.If the odds aren’t in your favor, maintain your composure and face presentation errors with confidence. Instead of apologizing excessively, recover quickly without showing that you’re physically bothered by the mishaps. Be mindful of your facial expression and body language; looking angry can make the audience feel like you don’t want to accept criticism, while looking sad makes you look like you’re not ready to hear negative feedback.Apologize only when necessary—just once is enough. More importantly, take full accountability for the mistake and act quickly to fix it. Unexpected moments like this show your vulnerability and communicate your humanness, giving your audience the authentic you. At the same time, you also display your ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues in a short period of time.Adding a personal touch to your pitch also hypes up the discussion. Share experiences and stories related to the subject matter to impress your audience more. Be honest with them to get the credit that you deserve.

It’s Time to Make Your Move!

You won’t get anything done by just staring at your audience like you’re lovestruck, but there’s a lot you can do to appear more relatable and appealing. Here’s a quick review of the tips we’ve shared to make the audience gaze in awe at you instead:

1. Seduce them with subtle gestures like smiling and making eye contact to exude friendliness.2. Try communicating effectively by asking questions, actively listening, and telling jokes to keep the flame of an effective pitch burning, as well as keep the engaging conversation going.3. Take accountability for any mistakes. Be genuine and express your true self to create a positive impression on you and your pitch.

There’s no standard formula for making people fall in love you. Some tips work for others but don’t work for the rest. This idea also applies to public speaking, so you need to be willing and able to put yourself out there for guaranteed audience attention.With this advice in mind, put on your best business attire, get out, and woo the audience over to your side!

References:

Kellerman, J., Lewis, J., & Laird, J. D. (1989). Looking and loving: The effect of mutual gaze on feelings of romantic love. Journal of Research in Personality, 23, 145-161.“Gestures: Your Body Speaks.” Toastmasters International, 2011.DiResta, Diane. “How to Make Your Audience Fall in Love With You.” DiResta Communications Inc. February 14, 2014. www.diresta.com/how-to-make-your-audience-fall-in-love-with-youNicholson, Jeremy. “Loving Eye Contact: How Mutual Staring Can Create Passion.” Psychology Today. March 31, 2015. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-attraction-doctor/201503/loving-eye-contact-how-mutual-staring-can-create-passionSchumm, Laura. “Who is Cupid?” HISTORY.com. February 14, 2014. www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-is-cupid

[Super Bowl 50] Land a Presentation Touchdown with Teamwork [Infographic]

presentation

presentation success

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Super Bowl

teamwork

Feb 05, 2016

Sports and presentations may seem like two unrelated things, but they’re not as different as you think. Both are geared towards scoring the ultimate goal—a touchdown that satisfies your supporters. However, before you reach that field goal, you need to tackle audience expectations with a solid presentation outline that contains your key points. Much like a football game, your skills and your tools have to be at their best to reach your performance’s peak.You don’t have to do all of this alone. Presenters under the spotlight still need a team to back them up and help them polish their presentation.

Evaluate the Situation

Assess what the most crucial parts of your pitch will be. These are the most noticeable elements in your presentation, such as your PowerPoint visuals and the key points you’ll choose to discuss. Tailoring these according to your audience’s preferences require plenty of observation and investigation on current market demands.Because of this, you may need plenty of help with refining your topic. Since content research and deck design are two of the common aspects presenters have trouble with, see which departments from your company are best suited for each of these tasks.

Build Your Dream Team

Don’t let data-gathering intimidate you. There are plenty of sources in your company that you can tap into for reliable information. You can find these in the sales and marketing teams in your company or from teaming up with outside agencies that provide the services you need.Delegating the responsibilities accordingly helps you avoid making mistakes as much as possible. Let others watch your back when you fall, so it’s always easier to get back up. On that note, have someone double check the finished output before you present them to the audience. This includes your facts, design, and even your speech itself.

Grow from Feedback

Efficient tasking and teamwork will give you enough time to polish your delivery. Take advantage of this to get objective feedback from others. You’ll easily miss a few blind spots when you’re alone because you already thoroughly know what you’re talking about. However, since your audience might be unfamiliar with your topic, having an observer comment on vague points can give you insight on how to revise your words. Let them help you grow and improve your pitch.

There’s No “I” in Team

Assigning tasks to others doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It simply means you want to perfect your overall presentation—from deck to delivery.

Check out and share our infographic about football and presentations!

References:

Root, George N., III. “Importance of Teamwork at Work.” Small Business Chron. www.smallbusiness.chron.com