Tag: presentation tips

The Force of a Great Presentation [Video]

bad presentation

Build Audience

great presentation

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Star Wars

star wars video clip

The Force

video

Dec 18, 2015

In a corporate galaxy far, far away, an empire of bad presentations wreaked havoc among speakers and audiences alike.Their careless bullet points and cluttered slides bored people to death.It’s time to step out of the dark side and engage your listeners. Let’s end the reign of wordy slides and uninspiring images by reinventing your presentation.How, you ask?Learn how to channel the force of a great presentation with this video from our SlideGenius experts.

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Stop the forces of bad presentations with our tips.

1. Keep It Simple

Free your slides from too much information. To make your pitch understandable, reduce your text to key points you can expound on.You can also use images instead of text to show exactly what you’re talking about. Powerful visuals attract attention and reel people in by stirring strong emotions they’ll associate with your pitch later on.

2. Make It Visual

Back up your main ideas with striking visuals that will grab people’s attention and keep them interested.People process visual information faster than raw data, so make sure these images reflect the impact you want to make on your audience.

3. Consider Good Design

Your deck design matters in connecting with your prospects. Arrange your overall layout so everything in your slides contribute to your message.Things like color, space, and contrast factor in a lot when it comes to creating a visually appealing deck.

4. Liven Up Your Pitch

At the same time, energize everyone and keep them attentive throughout your pitch.Balance out any overly serious content with strategic humor that’s appropriate for the speech you’re giving.

5. Build Audience Rapport

Elevating the mood lifts up your listeners’ spirits and eases any lingering tension.The relaxed atmosphere will get your audience to invest in your offer and let your presentation move along quicker.

May the force be with you.

Save the universe from death by PowerPoint by putting an end to these bad presentation habits.Use these five tips to improve your skills as a presenter and bring life back to your audience.

We are the presentation experts you’re looking for. Contact us now for a free quote!

3 Reminders When Facing a Presentation Audience

audience engagement

audience focus

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico Blog

SlideGenius

speech planning

treating audiences

Dec 15, 2015

Connecting with the audience and getting your message across is the goal of any presentation. The impact you make varies on the preferences of the people you’re facing. Nothing’s wrong with tailor-fitting your presentation for the specific group you’re presenting to.Most of the time, it’s even encouraged. But if you’re looking for a general framework, there are some rules that apply to any type of presentation audience. Remember the following guidelines the next time you face a crowd:

Your Listeners Aren’t Children

No one wants to be talked down to. Although you have to explain your points clearly, don’t treat your audience like they don’t know anything. Be careful not to offend them by sounding like you’re belittling them. Doing so will make you sound obnoxious and would only deter them from listening.Get to know your listeners either by interacting with them prior to the event or looking them up. This gives you a better grasp of how to handle them. In most cases, using the conversational tone is good enough to establish rapport without sounding condescending.Consider how you would want to be addressed by another person and apply this when communicating with your audience.

Don’t Make Fun of Anyone

Engaging listeners is important in keeping their attention. One way to keep people interested is by involving them in your speech. Let your audience participate by prompting them with questions or incorporating humor. But don’t overdo it.Don’t crack a joke just to get their attention. Make sure what you’re saying is still connected to your main idea. Straying from your point only makes things confusing.Another important reminder when using humor is to never make fun of an audience member. In her book, Public Speaking is Not For Wimps, leadership speaker Kimberly Alyn dedicates a section to discussing the correct use of humor in public speech.Although humor engages, it can sometimes do the opposite and further discourages the listener. This isolates and embarrasses the object of ridicule. The last thing you’d want in your presentation is to have someone feel discomfort because of something you did.

Be Professional

This may sound common, but professionalism is a must in any presentation. Don’t sacrifice your credibility in an attempt to appear familiar with your audience. Relating a few personal experiences is fine in creating a narrative where people can associate with.On the other hand, steer away from being overly comfortable. Telling stories that are too personal can make the audience feel as uncomfortable as a stiff presenter. In a way, distancing yourself from your listeners also shows a form of respect.People will appreciate your effort as you connect with them, but will also feel awkward if it goes overboard.

Conclusion

Dealing with your audience can be tricky. You need to know the right thing to say, at the right time. But once you find out how to win over your listeners, there’s very little else you need to be worried about. In case you don’t, you can apply common courtesy.Don’t belittle your audience by over explaining facts or questioning their culture, unless it’s intrinsically a part of your presentation. Apply some fun to your speech, but never at the expense of another person’s feelings. Being considerate and empathic maintains a professional atmosphere during your speech.Converse with people to ease tension, while keeping your own dignity intact. It’s a way of sounding like a familiar friend without overstepping your bounds.Need a good PowerPoint to match with your well-planned speech? Contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote!

References

Alyn, Kimberley. Public Speaking is Not for Wimps!. Florida: Llumina Press, 2003.Featured Image: “Audience” by Jesper Ronn-Jensen on flickr.com

Secret Santa Rules: How to Make Your Presentation Worthwhile [Infographic]

Christmas

creativity

observation

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

Secret Santa

SlideGenius

time limit

Dec 14, 2015

The cool Christmas breeze, sparkling lights in the cities, and merry carolers are only a few of the cues that the happiest time of the year is here again.With the holiday season just around the corner, let’s all embrace the cheer and bring everyone joy.This celebration isn’t only for those we love and care for. It’s also for the people we don’t encounter every day, and people who need a helping hand.You don’t have to give grand and expensive presents. A simple and sincere Christmas greeting can brighten up one’s day.A smile or a warm hug can liven up and give comfort to a lonely spirit.So if you have this major presentation to deliver, why not give your pitch the warmth of giving and sharing?Try presenting from a secret Santa’s point of view to deliver a bundle of joy and a wealth of delight to your audience, no matter how small or big the group is.It doesn’t just allow you to reach out to them, it also lets them appreciate your presence and understand your message.

Be Like a Secret Santa!

Presentations are like holiday gift exchanges, you need to plan in advance to frame the right content with delivery they’ll truly appreciate.Always follow the secret rules of making a worthwhile presentation.First, stick to the limit. In gift-giving, it’s important to give something appropriate for that person you drew out of a hat.In presentations, you need to consider your audiences and their needs to deliver your message effectively.Second, you have to be a good observer. This is essential in finding a perfect gift for your loved ones, as well as with business pitches.Pay attention to your audience and their visual cues for a surefire performance.Lastly, show some creativity. Make your presentation unique like a beautifully wrapped gift.Get creative with your visuals and content to end your message on a high note.Wrap them all up together and your audience will value the gift of information.Here’s an infographic from SlideGenius to show you how acting like a secret Santa makes for effective presentations:https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/secret-santa-rules-how-to-make-your-presentation-worthwhile

Pressing Pause: Using Speech Pauses in Presentations

pause

presentation tips

Rick Enrico Blog

SlideGenius

speech preparation

stage presence

Dec 11, 2015

A common misconception is that a speaker must never allow any gaps or pauses in their speech. However, letting silence into your performance can foster a healthy connection between yourself and the audience.Pausing every now and then projects confidence and a willingness to listen. Depending on how you use them, pauses can improve or hold back your presentation.Use pauses to your advantage in three ways:

Establishing Your Presence

Starting your presentation as soon as you get onstage can leave you breathless by the time you’re halfway through. Still, taking your time before beginning doesn’t mean you’re just going to stand there silently.Use the moment to establish a positive atmosphere before you present. Smile and make eye contact to connect to your listeners. This lets them know that you intend on communicating and conversing with them, not solely to drop a few points in a stiff presentation.You can also take deep breaths to calm you nerves and organize your thoughts. Having time to think about your speech results in more articulate delivery.

Pausing to Emphasize Ideas

One of the most effective uses of a pause is to stress a key point in your speech. Maximize this function by pausing between major ideas you want your audience to remember.The types of pauses vary depending on the type and importance of the message you’re trying to convey. A brief pause is enough when trying to differentiate between two clauses. On the other hand, a longer break is required when you’re pausing after an entire statement.Six Minutes founder and speech evaluator, Andrew Dlugan, enumerates the types of speech pauses on his site. Among these examples, the longest pause, also known as the paragraph pause, is used when you’re transitioning from one main point to the next.The key to this type of pause is to mentally place punctuation marks in your speech. It also adds tone and variety in your way of speaking, further engaging your audience.

Collecting Your Thoughts

You might come across a roadblock in your presentation. An audience member could interject unexpectedly with an awkward or difficult question, or you lose your train of thought somewhere along the way.In one of her posts on Quick and Dirty Tips, Lisa B. Marshall, host of The Public Speaker podcast, writes: “Take a moment to pause if you get flustered or blank out. Reiterate your previous point and move on to the next one you remember.”Instead of saying filler words like “ah” and “um”, Marshall suggests you use silence to your advantage. It may look counterintuitive to pause at such a time, but silence lets the audience know you’re thinking of an answer.Don’t panic if you can’t say the next thing right away. Panicking will only worsen the situation and prolong your pause. Instead, allow yourself a few seconds of thinking before getting back on track.

Conclusion

Used in the right way, silence can help create a powerful presentation. In front of an audience, resourcefulness means maximizing every resource at hand, even the pauses you make in your speech.Make use of the first few seconds before your presentation to establish your presence and connect with the audience. Speech pauses can especially be used for emphasizing key points and collecting your thoughts during unexpected situations. Just remember to stay calm and composed so you don’t make the pause too long.Silence isn’t always a bad thing, so start taking advantage of pauses during your next presentation. Need help with your PowerPoint needs? Contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote! 

References

Dlugan, Andrew. “Speech Pauses: 12 Techniques to Speak Volumes with Your Silence.” Six Minutes. Accessed October 12, 2015. www.sixminutes.dlugan.com/pause-speechMarshall, Lisa. “5 Tips for Powerful Pauses.” Quick and Dirty Tips. Accessed October 12, 2015. www.quickanddirtytips.com/business-career/public-speaking/5-tips-for-powerful-pauses Featured Image: “[Play] Pause” by Martin Kenny on flickr.com

Presenting to Millennials: What Not to Do In Front of Gen Y

Generation Y

Millenials

presentation expert

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Nov 30, 2015

With their generation being one of the largest in history, millennials are bound to be future game changers of the global economy. Despite the negative image given by mainstream media, presenting to millennials is easier than it seems. It isn’t that hard to appeal to their ideals.However, there are some red flags to watch out for when appealing to this demographic. Taking time to look up their culture as a generation would tell you what to avoid during a presentation. If you don’t have the time to browse through all of them, we compiled three of millennials’ biggest pet peeves.

Stereotypes and Insensitivity

This goes on top of the list. Also known as Generation Y, there are plenty of stereotypes perpetuated about millennials. While not all of them are bad, Generation Y has probably heard most, if not all, of them. Don’t fall into the trap of using any of these to try and relate to your audience. This will more likely than not annoy them.Antagonizing their generation isn’t going to get you any positive feedback either. Generation Y culture is known to be passion-driven and creative, so using conservative ideas may not sit well with them. Instead of banking on common stereotypes, do thorough research on your audience’s preferences and incorporate these into your content.Your target market will be happy you made the effort.

Lack of Relatability

Millennials value memorable and authentic experiences over anything. This has led some to label them a self-absorbed and superficial generation. But they’re actually more up to date than anyone else. With their proficiency with social media, they’re sufficiently well-informed about current events apart from their friends’ lives.Millennials are also one of the most educated generations. A Chris Altcheck and Pew Research Center showed that 54% hold college degrees. It’s not that Generation Y doesn’t care for hard facts, it’s that they prefer palatable visuals and content.Presenting clear and readable visuals can actually make more of an impact than a slide saturated with too many numbers and data. Use graphic design to present data in a visually appealing way. If you’re having trouble deciding how to use visuals to your advantage in the face of a millennial audience, consult with a presentation expert.Once you master the general Generation Y visual language, you’ll get better responses.

Non-Interactive

The average human attention span has evolved to be less than a goldfish’s. You can’t expect millennials to sit through an entire two-hour lecture without fidgeting towards the first half hour. To get attention, you don’t have to be too flashy. Keep your performance simple and forward.This allows listeners to digest the information quicker and more efficiently. But it doesn’t have to be extremely brief or boring, either. Aside from a well-designed PowerPoint and a strategic speech, you have to make sure to involve people.The AMA Playbook compiled eight tips from public speaking coach and Well Said founder, Darlene Price, on engaging and interesting an audience. Keep people attentive by prompting them with questions and asking them to participate. This strengthens your connection with them, making sure they invest in your presentation.

Conclusion

Millennials are a very diverse generation. Being grouped together doesn’t necessarily mean that their preferences are all identical. However, you can learn to appeal to them by incorporating a few techniques in your presentation.You can also avoid the ire of your young audience by avoiding things that they commonly dislike. Using stereotypes inconsiderately, being unable to explain yourself, and being downright stiff may bore Generation Y. Always consider the audience in planning your presentation.Making that effort can ensure a positive response from people.

References

Almond, Meredith and Mandi Cox. “Five Major Millennial Misconceptions Marketers Miss.” Sparkloft. Accessed October 11, 2015. www.sparkloftmedia.com/blog/thoughts/millennials”Millennials Infographic.” Goldman Sachs. Accessed January 5, 2016. www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/pages/millennials”Presentation Tips: 8 Ways to Captivate and Engage Your Audience .” AMA Playbook. June 1, 2014. Accessed October 11, 2015. www.playbook.amanet.org/presentation-tips-8-ways-to-engage-your-audienceWatson, Leon. “Humans Have Shorter Attention Span than Goldfish, Thanks to Smartphones.” The Telegraph. Accessed October 11, 2015. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11607315/Humans-have-shorter-attention-span-than-goldfish-thanks-to-smartphones.html Featured Image: “Young man and woman taking pictures of each other” by ralphbijker on flickr.com

3 Ingredients to Serve a Great Presentation Feast

powerpoint ingredients

presentation feast

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

thanks giving

Thanksgiving

thanksgiving dinner

Nov 26, 2015

 On Thanksgiving Day, let’s all take time to remember one tool that got us our great business partners: the PowerPoint presentation.Without it, and applications like it, we would all have a significantly harder time making all our sales pitches visually appealing.We could even say that your slide deck is like the turkey of every Thanksgiving dinner: It’s what everyone sees first. This is why we need to take some time to prepare it carefully.Just like how no one wants to eat half-baked turkey, no one wants to see a slide with unreadable walls of text. It won’t do your company any favors, and will just paint your brand in a negative light.Think of how you invite guests over for dinner. It’s the same when coming to your client’s boardroom and giving the pitch.If you want them to bite into your proposal, you need to give them something that makes them hungry for a partnership with you.And the key to that lies in your presentation.Gather what information you can about your company, your products and benefits, or even stories of how you built your company.Think of it as, considering what to prepare for your dinner guests – know what dish works for whom you’ll be serving.Once you do, study your client’s problems and how you can best solve them. Warm them up to your pitch by giving them an offer that’s hard to resist.Adding images that best illustrate how your proposal works will also solidify what you want to give them.Try to invest in more time building your slide decks. After all, they’re one of the first things you offer for your potential investors.Consider using a recipe you may not have tried before – it could make your audience crave for more.If you’re interested, click here to read more about serving a great presentation feast. Featured Image: “Turkey Carving” by Rhett Sutphin from flickr.com

Fight the Threat from Within: How to Cure Presentation Nerves

Confidence

nerves

presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Nov 16, 2015

“A reputation takes time to build, and losing it can cause damage to future career success,” said Anita Bruzzese.While trying to secure your business reputation, it’s important to oust the fears and insecurities creeping into your presentation base.Symptoms of fear such as a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms, and shortness of breath prevent you from thinking properly, damaging your credibility.Fight your nerves.Secure your professional standing, and defend yourself at any cost against any threat.

Fight, Not Flight

The stress of presenting to a large group of listeners can trigger an adrenaline rush.This fight or flight response occurs when faced with a threatening situation.According to Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon, this response is hard-wired into our brains and was design to protect our ancestors from physical harm.But as we’ve moved on from our hunter-gatherer roots, our desires and fears have similarly changed.That’s why when all eyes and ears are on you, your body prepares to fight or flee from the perceived threat of a failed speech.Although this response is automatic, you can still choose which impulse weighs more.In presentations, empowering yourself to fight is always a better option.Stay calm and stand your ground to win your customers.Learn from past nerve-wracking experiences to improve your overall comfort when presenting onstage.

Ask for Help

Everyone makes mistakes and no one is immune to panic while in a presentation.Worst case scenario, you might even take a hit to your credibility, given a major slip-up.Seeking outside help is a good solution to this problem.Specifically, ask for helpful feedback from trusted friends or colleagues.Rehearse your speech in front of them beforehand to pinpoint areas for improvement.This lets you think of ways to improve your technique and toughen your nerves.Constant development gives you the courage to fight your fears.It’s hard to defend your reputation without backup.Find allies who’ll inspire you to become a better presenter.Seek advice from someone you trust to help you build up a sizeable advantage.

Stay Calm

Calming your body down cuts down on stress.In fact, this is the easiest way to avoid getting overpowered by your public speaking fears.Going for a brisk walk before you present is ideal for controlling your panic attacks.Besides walking, some breathing exercises also help relieve stress and fear.Slow and deep breathing helps improve blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.Set your two hands on your abdomen, then do the popular inhale-and-exhale method.This meditative practice allows positive feelings to rule over the negative ones.Sometimes, all you need is a deep breath and quick walk to help you survive your speech.

Conquer Your Nerves!

The fear of public speaking can be the end of your reputation.If things aren’t under control, you might be seen as unprepared and unprofessional.Finding ways to calm your nerves protects your professional standing from unnecessary hits.It only takes three easy steps.Find the courage to fight your fear.Be positive and work on improving your self-confidence.And lastly, stay calm to alleviate your stage fright.Defeat the fear creeping into your presentation base to secure your business image. 

References

“5 Minute Stress Mastery.” The Body Soul Connection. n.d. Accessed September 28, 2015.“Presentation Nerves: making them work for you!” Presentation Magazine. February 12, 2012. Accessed September 28, 2015.

Saving Typeface: Tips for PowerPoint Presentation Fonts

comic sans font

fonts

powerpoint font

powerpoint presentation fonts

Powerpoint tips

presentation design

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Nov 12, 2015

A good presentation comes in a package. This includes an effective speaker supported by powerful visuals. A PowerPoint that complements your performance is essential in leaving a lasting impact on people. There are many aspects of visual design, and among one of the most important is your choice of fonts.While crowding text is highly discouraged, text isn’t necessarily banned from your slide deck. Arranging text strategically in your PowerPoint and choosing the right font style and size can drive home a powerful message.But that’s often easier said than done. How do you use text to communicate to your audience? Which fonts prompt a response? We attempt to answer these questions with a few basic rules:

Limit the Fonts You Use

Familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of both serif and sans serif fonts will save you time choosing between them. However, there are several font types, and deciding which one to use is still pretty tricky. Using three or more fonts is already a bit of a handful.According to Engage Interactive developer, Jamie Wright, if you can’t justify your use of a third font, it would be good to keep it out of the picture. Too many fonts can be confusing for your audience. You want your audience to focus on your speech, not on a distracting font. If you want to draw your audience’s attention to the text on the slide, try combining font types.For example, serif fonts are often used for the body of text, while sans serif fonts are used as headlines. Because sans serifs are easier to read, using them for a headline draws immediate attention. On the other hand, serifs guide the eyes with their design, making them better for longer blocks of texts. Knowing the strengths of different font types will let you use them to your advantage.

Consider Readability

Size matters. Unless you intend to have it invisible to the viewer, your text should be readable. Color also plays a huge role in presentation design. The color you choose evokes a psychological response on your audience. Audience members respond differently to different types of colors. But also make sure your words are visible by choosing a color that contrasts with its background.Contrast is a key element of text readability. Low-contrast text and text with color similar to its slide are unreadable. People won’t be able to get the message of your presentation if they can’t see what’s on your slide. At the same time, don’t overdo it.Don’t sabotage yourself with flashy, animated text. Keeping your text simple yet readable is enough to keep your audience’s attention.

The Font that Must Not Be Used

Aside from bullet points, another PowerPoint taboo is the use of Comic Sans. The Comic Sans font has gained a bad rap for a number of reasons. Among these is the font being overused in inappropriate situations. While there is nothing wrong with this font per se, you wouldn’t want to be associated with it.The general disapproval of Comic Sans is enough to discredit any presentation that makes use of the infamous font. If you want to look for similar but less stigmatized options, there are alternatives to choose from. Ban Comic Sans, an organization dedicated to eradicating the notorious font, provides an entire list on their site.But still use them wisely. Don’t go for unconventional fonts on a whim. Always think about the effect your font will have on your presentation.

Conclusion

When organized strategically, text can enhance presentation design. In order to maximize the element of text, consider the fonts you use. Don’t saturate a slide with several fonts unless you can justify it. Be aware of font size and color. Any text you put on a slide must always be clear and readable to your audience. Similarly, don’t go over the top with your design.Unconventional fonts can be distracting. The main purpose of your font choice is to emphasize what you’re trying to say, not draw attention to itself.If you want professional help in deciding how to organize your PowerPoint, contact our SlideGenius experts today and get a free quote!

References

“Fonts.” Ban Comic Sans. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.bancomicsans.com/mainWright, Jamie. “How Many Fonts Is Too Many Fonts?” Engage Interactive. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.engageinteractive.co.uk/blog/how-many-fonts-is-too-many-fontsSpector, Lincoln. “Six PowerPoint Nightmares (and How to Fix Them).” PCWorld. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.pcworld.com/article/237106/six_powerpoint_nightmares_and_how_to_fix_them_.html Featured Image: “Stencil Font” by Cory Schmitz on flickr.com

Preparation: Your Weapon to a Clear Presentation Flow

business presentation

Infographic

Presentation Flow

presentation tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

zombie apocalypse

Nov 10, 2015

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of a business presentation or a zombie apocalypse.You won’t survive by going in unarmed and unready.Preparation is key to ensuring your survival.A measured approach smoothens and improves presentation flow.This makes you a more effective and engaging speaker.Learn how to survive with this infographic presentation made by our expert writers and designers here at SlideGenius.com.https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/preparation-your-weapon-to-a-clear-presentation-flow

Beating the Red Light: Organizing a Last-Minute Presentation

last-minute presentation

meaningful presentation

presentation preparation

presentation tips

procrastinating

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Nov 06, 2015

While it isn’t advisable to put things off to the last minute, there are some instances where you have to cram for a presentation. Sometimes you’re given limited time to prepare. Maybe your host suddenly asked you to give a brief speech on a related topic. Or maybe you lost track of your schedule and forgot about an upcoming event.In such cases, you have to manage your preparation wisely. You shouldn’t let your audience know that you had less time to plan. It’s still possible to pull together a comprehensive, engaging, and meaningful presentation in just a few hours.

Learn How to Improvise

Writing down notes is an effective way to organize your thoughts. But even with notes written down, don’t be afraid to forget about your script. Or rather, don’t stick to it word for word.A common misconception about presentation drafts is that they can save you when you come in ill-prepared. It’s similar to the idea that your slides will provide a safety net for when your speech gets boring. In truth, neither your script nor your PowerPoint should act as a replacement for you. If you don’t have enough time to rehearse, it’s okay to improvise.Being too absorbed with a memorized script or worse, blatantly reading from your slides and notes, only makes you seem stiff and uninteresting. This also restrains your use of body language, which is an important tool in connecting with your listeners. Pairing up your speech with eye contact and hand gestures is necessary for creating a lasting impression.People feel more relaxed in front of a speaker who uses the conversational tone, rather than one who is monotonous.

Avoid Rambling

However, don’t go to the other extreme. Rambling is just as bad as losing yourself in a script. You misplace your core message and confuse your audience in the process. Going off on a tangent for too long can also give away your nervousness. Put yourself at ease to assure your listeners that you know what you’re doing.No one wants to listen to someone who appears clueless about the content of their presentation. As much as possible, keep your points related to what you originally wanted to say. It’s best to keep the gist of your speech in mind and improvise every now and then.

Last-minute Rituals

When you’re finally on the final countdown to your presentation, it’s good to calm your nerves down. This keeps you from being fixated on your script and rambling too much while speaking. Coming up on stage to present for something you had less time to prepare for can be a major cause for anxiety. But you shouldn’t let it get to you.According to public speaking coach and Well Said, Inc. president, Darlene Price, there are a few small things you can do to relieve this anxiety 15 minutes before your time. In its feature of Price’s book, Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results, Business Insider gives a run-down of pre-presentation rituals like going to the restroom and focusing on positive thoughts. You can also check out your venue and interact with your audience before you speak.Getting to know the environment and the people you are presenting to will let you see things in perspective. Situations appear more daunting when you let them mess with your head.

Conclusion

Contrary to what you might think, an audience can’t see through you as you speak. If a presentation is coherent and well-executed, people will appreciate it despite the time constraint. Stay calm and avoid using your notes or your PowerPoint as a crutch if you lack preparation.At the same time, don’t distract your audience by rambling through your entire presentation. Substance is just as important as delivery. Although you can create a presentation under pressure, it’s always good to allot enough time for proper planning. Even for veteran presenters, procrastination and cramming can lead to disastrous results.Having trouble organizing a last-minute presentation? Consult with our PowerPoint experts today and get a free quote!

References

Smith, Jacquelyn. “10 Things You Should Do In The 15 Minutes Before A Big Presentation.” Business Insider. May 2, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2015. www.businessinsider.com/what-to-do-15-minutes-before-presentation-2014-5Featured Image: “Self portrait – Ticking away” by MattysFlicks on flickr.com