Tag: presentation tips

5 Types of Web Content to Boost Your Business Presentations

business presentations

online media

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

social media

web content

Feb 03, 2016

Are you more of a fan of visually presented information? Just scroll down all the way to the bottom for an infographic version of this post!Contrary to popular misconceptions, corporate pitches aren’t just cold, blank, and straightforward. When it comes to presentations, content and design should work together to supplement your pitch.Whether you’re talking to a customer or an investor, all parts of your deck should aid you in engaging and grabbing the audience’s interest. To do that, you need relevant visuals that add to your ideas. This may mean images and animation, but it can also come in the form of live Web pages. Not only can embedded content give proof of your company’s achievements, but they also encourage clients to contact you.

Embedding Web Content into Your Business Presentations

For users familiar with the 2010 version of Microsoft Office, LiveWeb is a useful add-on for embedding Web content on your slides. It can also enhance your credibility in a pitch by providing a concrete look of your offerings. This gives you an opportunity to leverage them for your business.The direct LiveWeb feature has been discontinued in recent versions of PowerPoint, but you can download a third party add-in to bring it back. There are also other add-ins which are available for PowerPoint 2013 onward that have the same functions as LiveWeb. One of these is PowerPoint’s Office Mix, which allows users to insert Web pages, apps, and even interactive quizzes into their slides.Let’s take a look at which Web sites are ideal for embedding and how the content you use from them can contribute to your pitch:

1. YouTube

Compared to other learning styles, visual learning is the most common among a large group of people. Engage your audience visually to keep them hooked onto your pitch. Broadening the range of media you offer further supports and visualizes your main points, making it easier for viewers to digest.For instance, videos can transform the way customers perceive your product. In an article on the effect of videos on its viewers, Invodo’s Claire Queally shows that buyers who view company videos are two to three times more likely to purchase something from the brand.Take this marketing strategy from the Web to your own presentation by embedding YouTube videos into selected slides. Whether they’re product demos or AVPs about your company, this gives you an opportunity to both inform and impress them. Just make sure that your videos are relevant to your pitch and people’s current interests. At the very least, they should reflect the benefits your clients will be gaining from your products, as well as your advantages over the competition.If you’re planning to deviate from the usual company video and simply insert a supplementary clip to entertain viewers, don’t stray too far from your core message. For example, a recorded speech from a keynote speaker related to your topic is acceptable, but a random cat video might miss your target audience and your point entirely, especially in a formal business setup.

2. X (Formally known as Twitter)

In the age of social media, influencers are more accessible than before. Most of these prominent figures are found on the net, where their followers can easily see them. However, keynote speaker Jay Baer differentiates influencers, who simply raise brand awareness, and brand advocates, who actually convince others to invest in you. These online reviews on brands can impact people’s perception of you, especially for millennials who are often tuned into digital media.To gain a wider audience and increase the probability of lead conversion, show your tech-savvy prospects what others think about your brand. Display a live Twitter feed on your deck to access customer opinions in real-time. Doing this gives your clients the latest updates about your company. Convincing people to invest in you will be easier if you can show positive impressions from past clients and customers. At the same time, you won’t be able to show a X feed without enough mentions.Encourage customers who support your product to use hashtags and other social mentions on X. Ride on the wave of trending topics and launch a marketing campaign or site content that users are currently into. The more positive feedback your brand receives, the better its image becomes in the market.

3. Facebook

This social media giant offers one of the best chances for generating leads with casual interactions. Like Twitter, Facebook is a place where users and influencers can interact and trade recommendations of their preferred brands. Boost your image even further by tapping into this established social media platform.If you plan to show how popular or active you are with your online market, Facebook is your best bet. Being the most widely used social network, it contributes greatly to showing consumer opinions about your brand. Highlight your marketing efforts through Facebook’s built-in analytics tracker, which shows the number of likes, mentions, and even followers of your page. Outside your presentation, you can use the tracker to keep track of how many leads have interacted with your page.As an embedded live page on your deck, showcase how actively you engage your consumer base. It will encourage past customers to repeat interaction with your page and inspire leads to start a transaction with you. Making use of Facebook analytics can establish your market dominance when you pitch to other clients because it’s an impressive aid for those who might want to see the statistics behind your claims.

4. LinkedIn

In a study conducted by public relations firm Weber Shandwick, the future of large corporations seems to be geared towards going digital. As we’ve already reiterated in the previous points, social media is a fast growing arena for customer and business interaction. It’s no wonder CEOs are turning to it for increased exposure.Among all social media sites, LinkedIn remains the most popular for networking with other companies. In fact, it’s used by nearly 28% of CEOs from Fortune 500 companies in 2014 alone. If Twitter and Facebook can show proof of how effective you are with customers, LinkedIn operates within your circle and instead displays how well-connected your network is. Your business partnerships, as well as the people you’ve worked with, are essential in communicating how well you can swim with the big fish.At the very least, an effective LinkedIn profile should contain relevant samples of your portfolio. It should also feature important connections with people and companies related to your line of work. All these can prove decisive in showing your effectiveness as a business partner. In addition to expanding your customer relations, make sure you take note of your company’s relationship with other businesses, too, because being associated with other trusted brands also improves your image.As the old adage says: “Birds of the same feather flock together.”

5. Company Web Site

Some presenters will settle with screen caps of their company site, if they include it at all in their business presentation. Since most don’t, details about their Web site often simply remain as a tiny contact detail in their slides. However, that can easily be missed. Less meticulous audience members might not pay attention to the fine print and only retain the highlights of your pitch.Let your prospects form their initial impression of your company site during your presentation itself by including it as one of the Web pages on your slides. Embedding your site as a live Web page shows your audience how to navigate around it, so walk your viewers through your page in real time by including it in your presentation. In case the previous platforms in the points above don’t work out well for you, you can always show the same statistics, testimonials, and even videos available on your site.Aside from social media profiles, being active on your own site is important information for prospects. Other client interactions will come from your company’s page, so letting people know how consistent your online presence shows how dedicated you are as a business partner. As mPower Consulting founder Brian Hamlett states in his article, building up your site once isn’t enough to keep people interested. Show them that there’s something to look forward to every time they visit your page to ensure closing and repeating a transaction.

One Last Thing: Facts Establish Reputation

Credibility is crucial to presentations. Investors need to put their money into someone they can trust in order to grow their business. To establish this, improve your deck with various kinds of Web content. As with socialization, networking is now going digital, so catch up with the times to avoid being left behind.With a large number of the population leaning towards visual, make your slides more interesting with images, but don’t stop there. Embed YouTube videos to inform them about how your company does business or how your products can help your clients.Enumerating your advantages over the competition and showing these at work are great ways to sell yourself. You can also prove how popular you can be with customers and businesses through positive testimonials from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. According to creativity mentor Luke Sullivan’s book, Hey Whipple, Squeeze This, these types of feedback serve as solid proof of your achievements. They can go a long way to convince both customers and partners that you’re the company they want to invest in.Work your online presence into your deck for more convincing business presentations!

Check out and share this infographic!

References:

Sullivan, Luke. Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This a Guide to Creating Great Ads. 3rd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.Baer, Jay. “Social Media Influencers versus Brand Advocates Infographic.” Convince&Convert. www.convinceandconvert.comGross, Liz. “How to Add a Live Twitter Feed to Your PowerPoint Presentation.” Social Media Today. June 6, 2013. www.socialmediatoday.comHamlett, Brian. “The Importance of Consistently Updating Your Website.” MPower Consulting. www.mpoweringu.comKnarr, Cat. “8 Secrets to Building a Stunning LinkedIn Profile.” The Huffington Post. February 3, 2014. www.huffingtonpost.comKushner, Daniel. “Best Practices for Successful Lead Generation Through Social Media.” Business 2 Community. June 29, 2015. www.business2community.comParsons, James. “How Do I Get Tracking on My Facebook Page?” Boostlikes. May 8, 2015. www.boostlikes.comQueally, Claire “Top 5 Things to Know About eCommerce Video Viewers.” Invodo. November 17, 2015. Accessed August 27, 2015. www.invodo.com”80% of CEOs from the World’s Top Companies Take to Social Media.” Weber and Shandwick. May 18, 2015. www.webershandwick.comOffice Mix. Accessed August 28, 2015. mix.office.com

Manage Stress Before a Big Presentation

angry presenter

PowerPoint Experts

powerpoint presentation

Powerpoint tips

presentation

presentation delivery

presentation skills

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jan 22, 2016

We’ve all had those days where stress pushed us to the edge, and we all know it’s not good to be around someone who loses their cool.You won’t leave a good first impression if you keep a strained demeanor. Manage stress before it takes over your body and turns you into an angry presenter.Stress by itself is a normal reaction that doesn’t go away until the perceived threat is gone, but delivering a presentation isn’t a real threat. Remind your body that you’re not in any danger. Relaxation will help calm you down and assure you that everything’s going to be alright. Here’s why you should regulate your stress and how to do it:

Likeability

When things keep going wrong, it’s important to know that there’s still tomorrow to look forward to. Stress skews our perspective towards fear and negativity, which makes it hard to even consider that things are going to get better. In addition to feeling terrified, our expressions project the anxiety we feel in response to internal pressure.Stressing out before a presentation can lead to failure because the presenter may already be anticipating that something will go wrong. The audience can pick up on your emotions and will definitely sense if something’s not right. You’ll lose your credibility as a speaker if people sense you’re too stiff. Confidence in what you’re saying is needed for other people to trust in you, too.

Stress Management

Stress buildup can be mitigated in the first place by placing security checks. Identify what makes you feel threatened. Is it the fear of being judged or being in front of a large crowd?Once you’ve identified them, step back and realize that none of them can really harm you. The audience is just there to hear what you’re going to present; none of them pose a real threat. Your body will start to calm down once it realizes that you don’t need to fear for your life, and you’ll have nothing to fear once you regain your focus.

Monitor Stress Levels

Some things are truly out of our control, but it doesn’t mean that we should lose our cool. Even if we’re not the best presenter, we should strive to give our best effort.Doing some relaxation exercises can help release some of that pent-up stress. It will help empty your mind and introduce calming imagery in place of stressful thoughts. Also remember to breathe. Breathing helps relax muscles that become tense when you’re stressed. Pacing around and doing some stretches helps you unwind and prepares you to move your focus elsewhere.

Concentration

Conduct everything you do professionally, and you’ll get the respect you deserve. Don’t let stress get in the way of your ability to make a great presentation. After all, a stressed presenter doesn’t look good. It makes you look hostile, distancing you from your audience. Relaxation should come easily once you’ve identified and let go of what stresses you out.Manage stress. Don’t let stress manage you. 

Reference

“Stress Management.” Mayo Clinic. April 8, 2014. www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495 Featured Image: “StartupStockPhotos” on pixabay.com

3 Tips to Consider for Successful Trade Show Presentations

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

sales person

SlideGenius

strategy

trade show

Jan 19, 2016

Trade shows are sponsored events attended by professionals from various industries, all gathered to demonstrate their products and services to potential customers. Exhibitors don’t only get the chance to showcase their offerings in public, but they also get to face new business opportunities and build stronger relationships with their target market.Do you want to take your brand to the next level? Here are some things to accomplish before the big day:

1. Map Out Your Strategy

Planning is key to any successful presentation. Skipping this stage opens you up to failure. Though speaking opportunities could come in short notice, you can avoid disappointing your audience or embarrassing yourself by planning ahead. According to marketing expert Jamil Bouchareb, having a set goal in mind as you prepare helps fine-tune your presentation.Llisting down your objectives, identifying your target attendees, and choosing an appropriate booth location is as important as crafting your pitch because it lets you think of interesting ideas to achieve your business goals with less hassle.Before you participate in any trade show presentations, put your objectives in place and know how to capture your client’s attention.

2. Think Like a Salesperson

Rejections are common to most sales professionals, but despite this, they still choose to focus on winning the client’s heart. Selling products is easy, but convincing consumers to purchase your offering is a serious task. This motivates salespeople to persuade their target market and develop good relationships with them.Think like a sales professional who would make a big effort just to achieve positive results. Believe in yourself and in your products so that you can give them valuable statistics and credible information about your company’s strengths to help you achieve your desired outcome.

3. Provide Relevant Information

Identifying your objectives helps you draft a relevant outline for your pitch. In trade shows, you don’t need to share all the details about your business. A brief explanation of what you do and what you can offer is enough, especially with the limited time given.Give your audience an overview of your product to boost their interest. Tell the crowd how your offering would benefit them by clearly explaining what you’re trying to say. Eliminate filler words, choose the right word instead of fancier but less-specific synonyms, and show relevant data whenever possible. Don’t forget to highlight your best product benefits to make it more appealing in a shorter amount of time so that they pay more attention to you throughout your pitch.

Summing It Up: Sell Your PowerPoint

Aside from informing your target audience with your brand offerings, your goal is to build connections that will eventually convert into sales.Careful planning, thinking like a sales professional, and providing relevant information lets you accomplish your objective with flying colors. If you’re in doubt, our PowerPoint professionals can assist you with a free quote for your next deck.

References:

Bouchareb, Jamil. “Eight Great Tips for Rocking Trade Shows.” The Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.com/jamil-bouchareb/eight-great-tips-for-rock_b_8681590.html Featured Image: “BIG Show Attendees – What Will It Take to Thrive in the Global Arena” by National Retail Federation on flickr.com

Build Alliances: The Key to Successful Business Presentations

building networks

business networks

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

zombie

zombie apocalypse

zombies

Jan 18, 2016

A business presentation’s success isn’t limited to charming delivery and useful content. What makes them really effective is when they turn audience members into paying customers.There are many ways to attract people into buying your idea, but how do you guarantee results?Fostering partnerships and networks is key to developing sales opportunities and new business contacts. You have to hit the ground running and foster alliances for presentation survival. Think of it as finding people to recruit in your group to survive the zombie apocalypse.Here’s how to build strong defenses and alliances to make your pitch even more effective:

Build Up Your Base

It all starts with creating a visible and sound image. Maintaining your credibility leaves a good impression that helps you make new contacts.Building trust is essential for growing a business network. Once they notice your sincerity, people will view you as someone with high authority and responsibility. Prepare conversation starters to let your audience know that you’re interested in cultivating professional relationships.This is just the beginning of your road to presentation survival. Once you have them interested in your pitch, then you have to gain their confidence.

Be a Good Listener

Trust is developed from effective listening. Therefore, good listening habits greatly assist the process of establishing business connections.Don’t just listen to people’s responses. Pay attention to the possible motivations and emotions reflected in their choice of words and changing tone. Harnessing this skill into a presentation tool makes your audience feel valued and respected. In turn, they’ll reciprocate that respect and listen to you, too.However, you should never be complacent. Always look ahead to see how you can build relationships that last into the future.

Reconnect and Follow Up

The steps to forming business alliances don’t end in the presentation room. Follow up on people you’ve met and reestablish those connections to keep them interested. Do this even after your sales pitch is done.Don’t go aimlessly after every networking opportunity that comes your way. Instead, sort your list of contacts and identify who among them is a potential network. Develop and use these contacts carefully to keep building new connections.Keeping in touch even after your presentation helps you create a network while helping your audience remember your core message. If done well, it can also help you build an even bigger network over time.

Conclusion

Building alliances after your business presentations is a cost-effective strategy that generates growth and success. Build up your base to look and sound credible. Be a good listener to develop trust, and don’t forget to do strategic followups to maintain engagement.Following these networking tips provide you greater opportunities and bigger contracts in the market.

References:

“Business networking.” Businessballs. n.d. www.businessballs.com/business-networking.htm

Unblock Your Mind: Overcoming Presentation Mental Block

corporate presentation

effective presentation

Filler words

mental block

powerpoint presentation

Powerpoint tips

presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

space out

Jan 13, 2016

Getting a mental block in the middle of your presentation isn’t the end of the world. Even the most experienced public speakers have had mental blocks at least once in their lives. However, the best pitches aren’t the ones that are pulled off perfectly. In fact, they’re the ones that speakers were able to rebound from successfully after a misstep.If you’re having problems with your train of thought, you can still overcome it with a few simple techniques.

Look at Your Notes

Presenters often favor spontaneity over their script. Sometimes they even forego the standard outline. What they don’t realize is that without a solid guide, they become more prone to experiencing mental blocks. Not everybody can keep track of their thoughts and deliver a pitch at the top of their heads. Most of the time, presenters who come in totally unprepared fumble halfway through their speech.To prevent the embarrassment of not knowing what to say next, it’s alright to refer to your notes occasionally, especially for your major points.Your goal is to communicate effectively with your audience, and you can’t do that if you’re rambling or if you’re too stunned to talk. If keeping notes at hand distracts you and limits your body movement, you can also memorize your script. Just make sure you wrote it with a natural delivery in mind. Otherwise, your stiff speech won’t convince anyone.

Pause for Effect

It may seem counterintuitive, but pauses in your speech can also help you get over your mental block. If you find yourself in a tight spot, don’t feel ashamed to pause and collect your thoughts. Instead of biding time with filler words, pausing creates anticipation for what you’re about to say.RedRover Sales & Marketing managing partner Lori Turner-Wilson writes in her article on the Memphis Daily about how the human mind takes about eight seconds to make a firm first impression of you. The same eight-second rule may apply to your pitch, so use your moments of silence wisely.Take time to stop before every major idea. You can also pause to punctuate your speech, making it seem more natural to listen to.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

One of the leading causes of presentation mental block is anxiety. Calming your nerves helps you remember anything you might have forgotten because of panic. Research shows that breathing helps relax the mind and increase productivity. Whenever you get tongue-tied on stage, take a deep breath. This will prevent you from stressing out over your loss of words.At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself for not remembering what you were going to say. Remember that the audience doesn’t know your speech the way you do. You have total control over your pitch, so be confident enough to handle yourself gracefully.

To Sum It Up: Relax and Regroup

Experiencing mental block is every public speaker’s greatest obstacle, and they can strike at any time. Be honest with yourself when you’re experiencing it during your speech. Instead of panicking and resorting to filler words, remember that it’s acceptable to look at your notes every now and then to keep track.If you’re really out of words to say, pause before every important part in your speech. People won’t mind. They’ll just think you’re building up towards your next point. Finally, whenever you feel that your fear is getting ahead of you, take a deep breath. Deep breathing helps clear your mind to recall your next points.Need help with your presentation? Contact our SlideGenius experts today for a free quote! 

References:

Turner-Wilson, Lori. “8-Second Rule of First Impressions.” Memphis Daily News. n.d. www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2011/jul/20/8-second-rule-of-first-impressions Featured Image: “King Conquers All” by Uddhav Gupta on flickr.com

Back to the Future (of Marketing): Interactive Brochures

audience engagement

Brochures

digital media

engaging audiences

interactive

Interactive Brochures

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

visual aids

Jan 11, 2016

Your presentation is just the beginning, so don’t let your pitch end in the boardroom. In fact, take it further: have your audience take your company’s brand with them, wherever they go.There are many types of collaterals that people can take home, but why stop there? Don’t just think in terms of physical items that they can carry around with them.Here’s an idea: translate your usual print materials to digital media. That way, you don’t just reach out to your target market but you’ll also expand your network to other potential leads.

The Future Is Digital

Technology undeniably plays a big role today in people’s lives. For businesses, digital marketing proves to be an important tool in attracting prospects and increasing sales. Digital media helps marketers monitor what type of content people are more responsive to, allowing them to adapt accordingly. At a time when print is going digital, brochures and pamphlets can be converted into interactive sources.Including interactive brochures in your digital marketing strategy benefits you in many ways. Paperless collaterals don’t only help the environment but also offer more accessibility than a traditional handout. People can view your company’s story anytime, anywhere, and you’ll even be able to track their interest in your business.Things like page analytics and data can help determine whether your content is drawing people in or not.

Take It Outside

Old-fashioned brochures stay with potential partners and clients. While these are good giveaways after a presentation, they reach a limited audience Take your content outside the boardroom and present your product and your story to other people.There’s an available market online that you can’t tap into with word of mouth and networking alone. You can reach out to a wider audience faster by using people’s interconnectedness through digital media. At the same time, your existing customers are free to review your services from an easily downloadable interactive brochure. Expanding your partnerships and taking care of your current clients will be easier once you go digital.

Engaging the Audience

Interactivity is what makes the e-brochure so appealing. Unlike its paper counterpart, an interactive brochure can let you execute creative ideas that can only be possible with a digital medium. Although it’s basically a PDF version of your handout, you can put additional features, like an animation, that your viewers can interact with.Aside from its availability in any electronic device, a digital brochure makes your content more engaging. If there’s one thing that should remain constant from your pitch to your marketing strategies, it’s audience engagement. You’re more likely to get investors by steering their attention towards you. Achieving the right combination of fun and professionalism in your e-brochure helps you get noticed.Don’t give your prospects flat information. Make their experience interactive.

The Bottom Line: Go Big, Go Digital

Technology is a major game changer in the field of marketing. Don’t become outdated. Enter the new playing field and bring your product to a bigger market.Making use of interactive brochures effectively attract and keep people’s attention. Its accessibility makes it easily available to anyone interested in your services. Prospects’ increased awareness of your brand boosts your sales leads and volume significantly.Not sure where to start your digital marketing strategy? Consult with our SlideGenius designers today. 

Your Presentation Cheat Sheet: Top 10 Tips for 2016 [Infographic]

2016

Best Tips

Infographic

powerpoint presentation

presentation tips

Quick Guide to Getting Business Partners & Profits

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

year-end

Dec 30, 2015

With the new year fast approaching, reflecting on the past year is a common end-of-year ritual.We’ve been through some ups and downs this year and no doubt we learned a lot of lessons from our experiences. There are some things that are better left behind, and bad presentation habits are certainly one of them.Let’s take this opportunity to start anew and embrace good presentation techniques.

The Best Tips for 2016

PowerPoint design has always been an essential element in presentations. Step out from your comfort zone this year and welcome the idea of improving your design skills. Pay attention to the images you pick and the amount of text that you write on your slide, since they all factor into the design process.Of course, a professional deck is incomplete without great presentation delivery. Make sure to cure those bad speaking habits to avoid ruining your performance. You’re the center of the presentation, so invest time in boosting your likeability as a speaker.Likewise, preparation is key to communicating your message without a hitch. Learn breathing and relaxation techniques to help quiet your mind and focus on your task. When you put yourself first, the audience will take notice of your confidence. Make sure that you master your topic like the back of your hand.

A Quick Guide Just For You

It’s out with the old and in with the new. We understand that all of these tips may be a lot to remember for that big day. To help you out, our PowerPoint presentation experts have prepared a quick guide to help you out when you need it. This infographic condenses the best tips in to help you the next time you’re onstage.Welcome 2016 with better and stronger speaking skills with the help of our presentation cheat sheet:https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/your-presentation-cheat-sheet-10-best-tips-for-2016

Every Breath You Take: Presentation Breathing Techniques

breathing exercises

Breathing Techniques

presentation tips

public speakers

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Dec 23, 2015

Whenever you get nervous before a presentation, you’re told to breathe. It sounds like common sense, but has it ever crossed your mind to consider how you breathe? Different ways of breathing can affect your presentation differently.There’s such a thing called speech breathing, which humans have developed somewhere along our evolution. Speech breathing is a presentation technique that comes from a long line of evolutionary advancement to modern language. Here’s how you can use it to your advantage:

Pre-Speech: Breathe In

Compared to normal breathing, speech breathing is very different. Shallow breaths prove to be ineffective during presentations. Dr. Gary Genard, public speaking trainer and founder of the Genard Method, elaborates on the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing on his site. As its name suggests, your diaphragm is the key component of diaphragmatic breathing.This happens when the lungs expand and flatten the diaphragm. It’s also the proper way of ‘taking a deep breath’. According to Genard, taking a deep breath before your presentation slows down your heart rate and provides oxygen to your brain, easing nervousness and assisting your thought process.

In-Speech: Breathe Out

How you breathe affects how you communicate with your audience. Using diaphragmatic breathing for your posture involves pushing out your abdominal muscles, keeping you upright. Conversely, starting out with good posture before speaking lessens the strain on the organs vital for your speech.Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and avoid hunching up before trying out some presentation breathing techniques. Speech coach Jezra Kaye writes in Speak Up for Success the importance of breathing out. Kaye encourages speakers to breathe out and relax the upper part of their torso (chest, mouth, throat, and jaw).A relaxed demeanor makes you appear more confident and allows you to speak better. Breathing out as you talk also releases the right amount of oxygen needed for a powerful speech, preventing an overly high or low-pitched tone.

Mid-Speech: Relax Your Larynx

Anxious speakers often talk too fast, forgetting to take breathing breaks. In such cases, the presentation ends up sounding like a long run-on sentence. Presenters who speak without breathing wear out their larynx, resulting in a strained tone.This curtails their rapport and hinders them from relating their message properly. A speaker in a hurry misses key points and fails to engage the audience. Learn how to pace your speech by breathing in between. Pausing also helps emphasize important ideas by giving your listeners time to digest and think them over.

Conclusion

The next time you’re told to breathe for your presentation, don’t dismiss the thought. When done right, it can be beneficial for your public speaking skills. Deep breathing before your presentation helps build confidence.Stand straight, relax, and establish a connection with your audience. Pausing strategically between your presentation’s main ideas emphasizes their importance and rests your voice. This lets you prepare for the next bout of speaking and expounding that comes after the pause.Need help with your presentation? Contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote!Featured Image: “nice breath” by Joana Coccarelli on Flickr.com

How Lecterns Are Like a Shield

presentation aid

presentation fears

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

shields

SlideGenius

Dec 22, 2015

Lecterns are there to aid your presentation. Depending on how you interpret that, it’s either a good or a bad thing.Like plenty of presentation aids, lecterns are criticized for hindering the speaker’s presence.It can be likened to a shield that protects you during your pitch.But it can also be a cumbersome tool that ends up reducing audience engagement.That said, how lecterns affect you depends on how you choose to use it.Don’t make it a safety blanket. Leverage your pitch with it instead.One of the key purposes of a lectern is to exert authority and project confidence.It’s commonly found in commencement addresses and public speeches by politicians where formality and solemnity are required.Lecterns let speakers distinguish themselves as a center of focus, making it easier to command respect and attention.However, distinguishing yourself from the audience becomes the problem in a pitch that requires connecting with your listeners.Having something that physically separates you from your prospects doesn’t leave enough space to establish your presence through body language.Although they free your hands by holding up your notes for you, lecterns may make you too focused on your script.This prevents you from establishing eye contact, defeating the purpose of displaying confidence.Some presenters also tend to grip the sides of the lectern as a sign of anxiety.Instead of doing these, use the lectern to gently rest your hands.Occasionally look down on your notes, but don’t forget to look back up and deliver to your audience, rather than through them.While it hides some of your presentation habits, staying behind a lectern will definitely bring to light others.Move away from the lectern and take the spotlight.Learn how to use this tricky presentation aid to your advantage through our SlideGenius infographic below:https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/how-lecterns-are-like-a-shield

Present with Presence: Your Christmas Gift to Your Audience

Christmas

Gift giving

holiday

presence

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Dec 21, 2015

“Present with Presence” during the Christmas season is a powerful gift you can give to your audience. Being fully present means delivering a presentation in a way that engages and connects with the audience on a personal level, ensuring that your message resonates deeply. Here’s how you can offer this special “gift” of presence in your presentation:

1. Mindful Engagement

  • Why it matters: During the holiday season, many people are distracted or preoccupied, so being fully present in the moment helps you engage with your audience more effectively.
  • How to apply: Start by practicing mindfulness before your presentation. Focus on your breathing, clear your mind, and approach your delivery with full attention. Make eye contact, listen actively to responses or questions, and avoid distractions like phones or side notes. This shows respect and makes the audience feel valued.

2. Personal Connection

  • Why it matters: The holiday season is about warmth, connection, and kindness. When you present with these elements, your message is more relatable and leaves a lasting impact.
  • How to apply: Incorporate stories or personal experiences related to the season. Acknowledge the festive atmosphere and connect your presentation’s key points to themes of gratitude, generosity, or renewal. This creates a more intimate and engaging experience for your audience.

3. Authenticity and Warmth

  • Why it matters: Presentations often feel stiff or overly formal, but delivering with authenticity and warmth helps humanize your message, especially during a season centered around togetherness.
  • How to apply: Be yourself. Share personal reflections that connect with the holiday spirit. Use a warm, conversational tone, and be approachable. Let your audience see your personality and passion, and they’ll be more likely to resonate with your message.

4. Giving and Gratitude

  • Why it matters: Christmas is a time of giving, and your presentation can reflect that spirit by offering valuable information, insights, or solutions that benefit your audience.
  • How to apply: Frame your presentation as a gift to your audience—one that provides real value. Offer practical tips, takeaways, or opportunities for growth that they can apply immediately. End your presentation with an expression of gratitude for their time and attention, reinforcing the feeling of mutual appreciation.

By embodying mindfulness, personal connection, authenticity, and generosity during your presentation, you’ll be able to deliver with presence, making it a truly memorable and impactful experience for your audience.