Tag: public speaking

SOS! Presentation Disasters and Survival [Infographic]

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Oct 14, 2015

Presentation disasters can happen to anyone.No matter how much you prepare for your big day, there will always be a few obstacles that’ll appear, ones that you never expected would come up during your speech.Unfortunately, nobody’s perfect, and even the best professional public speakers run into these occasional hitches.What makes these people stay ahead of the competition is how they handle problems that suddenly happen without prior notice.If you’re not careful, your discussions can turn into complete presentation disasters… even more so if you can’t handle unexpected events.After all, Murphy’s Law became well-known because it’s been proven time and time again.“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”You can’t anticipate these moments like a psychic, but you can always cope with sufficient preparation and a calm demeanor.

Preparing for Possible Presentation Disasters

What are some good tips on handling presentation disasters?All you need to do is to implement some simple back-up plans in case something goes wrong.Before anything else, keep calm.As soon as you’ve assessed the situation, start planning your response to the emergency.Make sure you have presence of mind and you’ll have no problem overcoming any possible hitches during your big moment.Here’s a short infographic on applying disaster preparedness to problem-proof your presentation.https://www.slideshare.net/SlideGenius/how-to-survive-presentation-disasters

How to Avoid Rambling in Presentations

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Rambling in Presentations

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Oct 09, 2015

Presentations don’t happen in a perfectly controlled environment. An audience member gets into a coughing fit. A baby starts to wail. A phone goes off, and a trail of conversations from afar can be heard. Each distraction comes with a perfectly choreographed moment of silence. And each second lost to distraction is a second gone to waste.Some of the scenarios above do happen, but there is a preventable kind of distraction that often goes unnoticed. The unexpected sources of distraction are none other than the speakers themselves.

Who rambles?

1. Rambling as the Last Resort

The most obvious sign of rambling comes from unprepared speakers. Unprepared speakers struggle to deliver the message of their presentation. Their speech slows down, uh’s and um’s dot their speech patterns, and they disrupt themselves. There aren’t enough tips to help out unprepared speakers.Core topics can’t be made up on the spot and there are a few options available to save the presentation and the speaker. Damage control needs to be done. Rambling only worsens an ill-prepared presentation. So stay on topic as much as possible. Relax for a few seconds and don’t show any more signs of panic.When you’re in a state of anxiety, simply pause and take a breath.

2. Rambling Creates a Wall

A prepared, but anxious speaker shows the same signs of nervousness as the unprepared speaker. Take the same steps to calm down and relax. There’s no need to be nervous if the deck is crafted carefully and communicates clearly.Rambling as a result of anxiety can be avoided by reframing a nerve-wracking experience in a positive light. So instead of fearing judgement from the audience, think of the positive reaction you’ll gain. And instead of worrying about the presentation, be proud from its inception to its completion.

3. Rambling as the Unintended Effect

On the other end of the spectrum, we have the overly prepared speaker. You might exhaust all talking points and start talking about something completely unrelated. Eventually, you could have gone too far ahead to get back to your original point. As a result, you might ramble some more, creating a vicious cycle.An unprepared speaker fills the air with silence while an overzealous one fills the air with too much information. According to career consultant, Lea McLeod, you should learn how to regulate rapid speech by having a measured pace. The average person talks at a rate of about 125-175 words per minute while we can listen at a rate of up to 450 words per minute.Also consider the amount of attention and focus listening requires. Then factor in the other thoughts that could be distracting the audience. Combined, those 450 words that we can supposedly process can end up much less in reality. Control your pace and stay focused on your topic by slowing down.

Re-focus

Which one are you among the three? All these candidates can take steps to minimize winding along in their presentations. Preparation is the most important step in creating a deck. Confidence is the most important factor in delivering a speech.For the benefit of the audience, don’t speak too fast or too slow, and remember to relax and just breathe.

References

McLeod, Lea. “3 Smart Ways to Keep Yourself from Rambling.” 3 Smart Ways to Keep Yourself from Rambling. Accessed October 5, 2015. www.themuse.com”Speech Rate – Is Your Speaking Rate Too Fast, Too Slow, or Just Right?” Write Out Loud. Accessed October 5, 2015. www.write-out-loud.comFeatured Image: “SD Zoo” by Stephen Kruso from flickr.com

Perfect Presentation Myths and Formulas, Debunked

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Presentation Guru

Presentation Myths

public speaking

Rick Enrico

san diego designer

SlideGenius

speaker confidence

Oct 08, 2015

In trying to perfect their speech, people apply what seem to be tried and tested methods. However, these methods can sometimes do more harm than good. One size doesn’t always fit all, and with changing times, conventional knowledge is also bound for an update.Not even experts agree on the shoulds and shouldn’ts of public speaking and slide design. But we’ve decided to compile their common observations and debunk a few presentation myths.

On Repeating Your Points

One of the most discredited old adages is, “Tell ‘em what you’re going to say, say it, and then tell ‘em what you said.” However, a modern audience relates better to a message if it’s introduced early on, with a powerful introduction. On top of people’s shortened attention span, nobody likes being hammered with the same idea over and over again.People’s attentions are at their peak during the first and last parts of a speech, so repeating a key point somewhere in the middle won’t make as much of an impact. State your intentions once in the beginning, and reiterate it only towards your conclusion.

PowerPoint: To Use or Not to Use?

There are already enough myths about how to use PowerPoint. Before even crafting their slide deck, presenters mull over the decision of whether or not to use PowerPoint at all. There are those who argue that having a PowerPoint distracts the audience from giving the speaker their full attention. But studies show that a visual approach increases communication effectiveness and speaker confidence.This makes PowerPoint important in helping both speakers and their listeners keep track of your train of thought. If you don’t have enough time to devote on your visuals, consult with PowerPoint design service professionals. This will boost your chances of creating an impact.

Content vs. Delivery

One of the more difficult decisions is choosing between form and content. Depending on who you subscribe to, a flashy performance is enough to count as a good presentation. People often believe that because there is public speaking involved, all you have to focus on is how well you can entertain your audience. On the other end of the spectrum, there are others who side with the idea that what you say is all that matters.In some respect, both ideas are misguided. A good presentation is defined by a balance between both content and delivery.While relying on delivery defeats the purpose of having a refined message, depending on your content without thinking about how to deliver it will only bore your audience. Allot time to each aspect of your speech. Organize your content well, but also think about how you can deliver it to respond to your audience’s interests.

Conclusion

There are many ways to execute a presentation. There is no one set way to do it, but people often fall into the trap of assuming a formula to a good performance. Debunking some of these myths is actually one step to crafting better output.Impress your audience without relying too much on outdated formulas. Reiterate your points as many times as needed without being too repetitive. Use PowerPoint properly, and treat it as a helpful ally, not as an adversary to resist. Finally, pay attention to both form and content and keep a reasonable balance of both.Leave those long-standing presentation myths behind and embrace creativity and innovation.

References

Watson, Leon. “Humans Have Shorter Attention Span than Goldfish, Thanks to Smartphones.” The Telegraph. Accessed October 5, 2015. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11607315/Humans-have-shorter-attention-span-than-goldfish-thanks-to-smartphones.html”Visual Aids.” University of Alabama. Accessed October 5, 2015. www.uab.edu/uasomume/fd2/visuals/page2.htmFeatured Image: “Mosaico Trabajos Hércules” by Luis García on flickr.com

A Fresh Breath of Air: Calming Your Presentation Nerves

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Presentation Nerves

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public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Oct 01, 2015

When panic strikes, how do you respond? Inexperienced public speakers often feel jittery before and during their performance on stage. They fixate on what might go wrong in the near future, forgetting how this anxiety affects them in the present.Everybody has a different way of dealing with pressures, whether at home or at work. Thankfully, what you need is pretty simple: oxygen. If you’re one of those presenters who frequently run out of air or stutter, all you need to do is breathe.

The Importance of Breathing

Breathing is an essential part of all our lives. Without oxygen, it would be impossible for us to survive. Have you noticed how difficult it is to speak when you’re nervous and gasping for air?Stress tricks your body into thinking you don’t have enough oxygen, causing you to gasp for air frequently. While oxygen is an important human need, too much oxygen is actually hazardous to your health.An abundance of oxygen is then misrepresented as a serious health problem, like a heart attack. This triggers panic and, at worst, shock. This is why in public speaking, proper breathing is of utmost importance. It normalizes your condition, allowing you to think clearly while also improving your vocal projection.

Invest in Belly Breaths

Belly breathing, also known as diaphragmatic breathing, allows your lungs to expand so you can take in an optimal amount of air for each breathing cycle. Most people only use their upper chest for respiration since it requires less effort.What they don’t know is that diaphragmatic breathing has the added benefit of releasing tension. In addition, taking a deep breath lessens your anxiety because it removes panic-causing blood toxins from your body. Public speaking trainer, Gary Genard, enumerates the benefits of diaphragmatic breathing, some of which involve slowing your heart rate to calm you down, and circulating oxygen to the brain to help you think better.Once you’ve cleared your head, you can finally think of ways to engage the audience and organize your thoughts. Try taking a deep breath whenever you get a mental block in the middle of a presentation. Instead of stuttering with speech fillers, invest in  belly breaths instead.

Time Your Breathing

Aside from preparing for your pitch, you need efficient practice. Advanced planning helps you prepare for the worst, and gives you the chance to adjust accordingly. Give your script one whole read through, as if presenting live, and take note of the parts where you tend to stumble. This allows you to pinpoint what part of your speech requires proper breathing.Note where you should breathe in and when you should breathe out to help yourself get through a tough part of your presentation.

One Last Thing…

Optimized breathing will help you look more confident, credible, and convincing. A combination of efficient diaphragmatic breathing and sufficient preparation also provides extra confidence and lessens mistakes when presenting to crowds.Do this constantly and expect to engage your audience more naturally after a fresh breath of air.

References

Genard, Gary. “Diaphragmatic Breathing: A Key Public Speaking Technique.” The Genard Method. June 20, 2013. www.genardmethod.com”How to Cope With Anxiety Breathing Difficulties.” CalmClinic. www.calmclinic.com Featured Image: “Balance” by Kevin Dinkel from flickr.com

How to Engage Audiences with Your Mirror Neurons

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Engage Presentation Audiences

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presentation tips

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Sep 29, 2015

A presenter stands in front of a screen displaying a bar graph on a PowerPoint slide, while audience members raise their hands, indicating participation or questions. The background is slightly blurred, focusing on the audience's hands in the foreground.

Body language helps significantly when delivering your message.

It doesn’t matter whether you have an interesting topic to tackle, an engaging PowerPoint deck to display, or a captivating story to tell. How you communicate nonverbally affects the entire performance.

Most people don’t see how observing others influences our actions. This is where the magic of mirror neurons takes place.

What is a Mirror Neuron?

A mirror neuron is a type of neuron that allows people to empathize with others’ conditions. This happens when someone observes another person, thus mirroring his behavior. If we notice a stranger who bumps into a concrete wall, our brain is wired to empathize and experience the same feeling the stranger does.

When someone feels down, we tend to sympathize with the person involved, letting our brains respond with comfort.

We might be unaware of this kind of response, but for presenters, this is an effective technique to use when getting your message across.

What Makes it Effective?

Moving towards the audience doesn’t just help you physically interact with them. It also allows you to engage them using eye contact, facial expressions, movements, and gestures. In this case, you are more likely to convince your audience by reflecting some of their reactions.

This is useful when you want to connect with a large crowd. You might not be able to achieve it, but connecting with them without going near them physically is possible. Selecting a few members of your audience to engage, particularly those who are in front, will help you do this by activating their mirror neurons.

If one of your audiences look at another member, his brain tends to react the same as if you’re talking to him as well.

How Can You Apply This?

This technique can be used to create interest, focusing their attention on your performance. E-learning expert, Vicki Kunkel cites in her book Dr. Wayne Dyer, a well-known speaker and author, who is an expert at applying this technique to his performances.

Every time Dwyer presents, he’s able to make his audiences feel part of a story. He does it by describing the event itself and projecting body movements, showing people how it made him feel. Another way he manages this is by walking around in one part of the stage while tackling a subject.

When he changes or moves on to another topic, he transfers to a different area. This is to emphasize what he’s discussing and to make it easier for his audiences to follow the discussion.

Summing It Up

Master this technique to connect with your audience’s emotions, keeping them engaged and allowing them to fully understand your message. Take advantage of mirror neurons to influence your listeners’ reactions for a convincing pitch they can’t refuse.

To help you with your presentation needs, SlideGenius experts can offer you a free quote!

Reference

Kunkel, Vicki. Instant Appeal: The 8 Primal Factors That Create Blockbuster Success. New York: AMACOM, 2008.

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Sales Presentation Q&A Tips: 4 Reasons to Master Negotiation

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Sep 22, 2015

Your sales presentation is the last hurdle before you can seal the deal, but even that has a final step: the Q&A.In every presentation, clients always have questions or concerns. These can be about how your company does business or the package options you have to offer.Listening to and clarifying their questions will help them understand your position, making them more likely to trust you and close the sale. Experienced sales executives will always plan for these scenarios for 4 main reasons:

1. Clients Always Want Options

People will always look for a better deal to get their money’s worth.You could be the best supplier of electronic gadgets in the industry, but if you don’t have any favorable options to offer your clients, like a bundle purchase deal with lower price points, or gadgets that they need, chances are they’ll give their money to the competition.This is why having a fixed set of options rarely works: If you say you can’t give something to a client, you will have a harder time convincing them to invest in you. According to business consultant Larry Myler, giving alternatives is one of the negotiation techniques that salespeople use as a common ground for both their desired outcome and the clients’ desires.

2. Listening Lets You Learn Their Expectations

Our last article talked about knowing your audience’s expectations to help you give a more understandable pitch. While it’s good to know these beforehand, nothing beats getting these firsthand when you need to address their questions on the spot.This lets you come up with better responses, whether it’s clarifying your previous statements in the pitch, or suggesting alternatives to the options you offered them. Listening also helps you get a better handle on what your clients expect from business partners.For example, they may have objections to the pricing of your mobile service provider package, but if you let them explain why, you might have the advantage of using that information for either justifying the package or offering them something that fits their budget.

3. You Control the Argument

Learning to say no is another important skill in the Q&A. As the presenter, you need to be clear on what you can and cannot offer to remain in control of the deal. Let’s go back to that example of the mobile service provider: Your package may only be offered at a certain range, but a client might want to lower it further.If your company knows that the proposed discount is unacceptable due to cost reasons, it might be better for you to refuse and suggest another package. While it’s true that you need to think about your client’s expectations, your company will most likely have their own standards to uphold, making an ultimatum necessary.By dictating the terms of the offer, you make the deal profitable for both sides. It also boosts their perception of you as a reliable seller.

4. You Project Yourself as a Partner

In every presentation, the objective is all about offering solutions to a problem. This is why every seasoned sales executive takes time to know their clients as much as they can in order to solve their difficulties.Getting clients to talk about what they need is always a good starting point. Keynote speaker Sherrie Campbell lists presenting yourself as a partner who’s willing to listen among her strategies for mastering sales negotiations. .If your client can’t agree with your offer, you can always ask why, or replace your offer with a better one. This leaves a better impression than using a “take it, or leave it” approach because you involve clients in coming up with a solution.

The Lesson: Listening Always Helps

Handling the presentation’s Q&A is just as important as giving it. This lets you know your target market and what will convince them to invest in you. Listening to their concerns lets you adjust your offers as needed.Instead of simply handing out a limited set of options, you give them more possibilities that can sweeten the deal for both sides. At the same time, you have to make it clear that there are things that you can’t compromise on, like a lower price for quality goods.At your presentation’s last stage, you can impress your clients with your delivery. If you can give them that last nudge to bite into your offer by hearing them out, jumping that final hurdle will be easier for you. Handling this step needs every advantage you can get.To sharpen your selling edge, take a few minutes to get in touch with a professional presentation designer and spice up your PowerPoint. 

References

Campbell, Sherrie. “7 Psychological Strategies for Mastering Sales Negotiations.” Entrepreneur. November 6, 2014. Accessed August 7, 2015.Myler, Larry. “Four Ways To Win Any Negotiation.” Forbes. June 1, 2015. Accessed August 7, 2015. Featured Image: “Signed Contract” by Mads T.F. on flickr.com

3 Ways to Combat Noise in Your Business Presentation

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tips from experts

Sep 11, 2015

Have you wondered why it seems difficult to deliver your message clearly and effectively? Things such as noise can negatively affect your business presentation, making it impossible to get your message across since they can’t easily understand what you’re trying to say. According to eHow contributor, Damon Verial, noise also acts as a communication barrier that stumps your overall performance.Learn how noise disrupts your success as a presenter, preventing you from conveying your point clearly.

Two Types of Noise

Your job doesn’t end after preparing your PowerPoint slides and crafting your pitch. In fact, your actual performance begins when you might experience unexpected slip-ups. One of those is noise. There are two kinds of noise which presenters often face:

1. External Noise

This includes distracting sounds such as:

  • audiences laughing
  • background noise
  • any accidents that affect your overall performance

This type of noise is sometimes unavoidable, since these are outside factors beyond your control.

2. Internal Noise

This kind of noise involves your own thinking and that of your audience’s. It includes being uncomfortable about your topic, worrying about how your audiences perceive you, or failing to recognize their needs. While these can be controlled with careful practice before you present, mistakes are still possible even with the strictest rehearsal.There are three ways to combat this kind of noise and effectively communicate with your audience:

a. Determine the Cause of Noise

Internal and even external noise can be controlled to a certain extent. Identify its source to find an immediate solution. If the problem is in the venue, you can adjust by politely telling the organizer to resolve the particular distraction.For example, if it’s technical problems or any physical noise, ask them to fix it so you can proceed with your message. You might not be able to remove it entirely, but you can prevent further distractions that may affect your performance.

b. Enhance Your Listening Skills

As a speaker, you need to understand that speaking isn’t your only job. Since your objective is to make your audience understand your message, listening is part of the process. Keep them engaged by asking them to participate and giving them a chance to speak up.It also prevents any misunderstandings, which are also considered as noise.

c. Use Repetition for Emphasis

This reminds your audience of significant ideas from your pitch, especially if they were unable to understand your point. Reiterating your thoughts enables you to highlight what you want them to learn and to focus on providing them with memorable information.This shows that you respect the time they spent listening to your pitch, and you want to give them something in return.

Conclusion

Noise prevents you from giving your message clearly. While it’s true that it can be controlled to a certain extent, learning how to fight this distraction will help you communicate effectively with your audience. By identifying the source of noise, you’ll be able to solve that particular problem and lessen any negative effects.Listening also helps you to easily understand your audience and avoid being misunderstood. Repeating your points allows you to emphasize what you want them to learn. It also shows that you care about your audience.Applying these will give you a more effective and successful presentation. To help you with your PowerPoint presentation needs, let SlideGenius experts assist you! 

References

“Check Out The Room Before You Speak.” Total Communicator. Accessed September 11, 2015.”Overcome Anxiety Like Presentation Expert Warren Buffett.” SlideGenius, Inc. May 04, 2015. Accessed September 11, 2015.Verial, Damon. “How to Overcome Noise Barriers in Communication.” eHow. Accessed September 11, 2015. 

Presentation Skills We Can Learn from Gymnastics

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Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

speech communication

Aug 19, 2015

Gymnastics is not solely about learning split leaps, jumps, and handstands. It’s about harnessing an individual’s physical strength, agility, and determination to execute astounding physical feats. In an article on FloGymnastics, Keri Monstrola shows us that the sport transcends its craft and manages to relate itself to other parts of our life as well.The skills gymnasts learn in training are perfect building blocks for presentations. Here are some more gymnastics skills you need to learn to become a well-rounded speaker:

Overcoming Fear

Gymnasts work through their fears to undertake difficult routines on uneven bars, springboards, and balance beams. It’s impossible for them to pull off perfect tens on each activity without mastering the first step: overcoming fear. Likewise, presenters must set aside and face their personal public speaking fears.If you’re afraid of being the center of attention, making mistakes, or feeling dissatisfied with your presentation skills, consider the hardships of gymnasts. The tumbling passes at different heights are more terrifying – and have greater physical consequences – than speaking in front of a crowd.Your life isn’t put at risk, but your business reputation or sales deals are.

Social Interaction

All professionals pass through the beginning stages. Aspiring gymnasts are also given the chance to develop their social skills like listening, taking turns, and following directions. In turn, the senior students learn to become role models to foster a good learning environment for the newbies.The same goes for keynote or PowerPoint presentations. Your discussion is a two-way street, breaking the wall between you and your audience. Establish a successful and productive dialogue by asking questions, responding to feedback, and allowing participants to speak up to develop an engaging, audience-centered discussion.

Balance and Control

Balance and control are two of the most important skills to succeed in the sport of gymnastics. The perfect combination and understanding of the two must be incorporated for a seamless execution of every routine.In public speaking, a harmonious combination of verbal and non-verbal cues demonstrates an interactive speech delivery. Your emotion is what connects you to your audience. Keep them under control so that you appear genuine, but not threatening or insincere.

Conclusion

Gymnastics doesn’t only teach sports enthusiasts positive lessons learned through daily training, but it can also inspire people who make presentations for a living.Before you can start presenting, you have to overcome your fears to begin your public speaking journey. Presenting isn’t a solo effort. After all, you’re presenting to an audience, so you must make it a conversation by involving the crowd.Lastly, master a balance of verbal and non-verbal cues to engage different types of audiences in the ways they best learn.Looking for high-quality PowerPoints for your business? Give us a call at 1-858-217-5144 or request for a free quote from SlideGenius today. 

Reference

Monstrola, Keri. “10 Life Skills Learned From Gymnastics.” FloGymnastics. November 2, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2015. Featured Image: “TWU Gymnastics [Floor] Mollie & Amy” by Erin Costa on flickr.com

7 Deadly Presentation Sins: Sloth, or Failing to Prepare

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public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Aug 11, 2015

We’ve discussed much about the usual gaffes that take your core idea towards the wrong direction.Today, we’re kicking off a seven-part segment that’s inspired by Andrew Dlugan’s article, The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking.We all know that the seven deadly sins are delinquencies fatal to spiritual progress. As set in literature, these are enumerated as sloth, envy, lust, gluttony, greed, wrath and pride. These sins are not only undesirable traits in life but also infelicitous acts that shouldn’t be likewise administered in the business setting.Ready to get started? We now present to you the first part our blog series about 7 Seven Deadly Presentation Sins.Let’s talk about the first presentation deadly sin—sloth, the failure to prepare—and why it’s depraved when delivering persuasive speeches and professional presentations.

What is Sloth?

In Christian scripture, sloth is described as the avoidance of physical and spiritual work, or being lazy and idle about God’s teachings.The late Jesuit Fr. John Hardon defined it as “sluggishness of soul or boredom because of the exertion necessary for the performance of a good work.”[sg-blog-modules module=two]

How Does It Relate to Presentations?

If sloth is akin to apathy and inactivity, the closest way to relate it to public speaking is the lack of preparation.Benjamin Franklin once said that “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Unless you consider yourself a PowerPoint expert with the ability to discuss ideas without mastery of the structure and rehearsal, you’re a sure pass.But you can’t guarantee that the odds will always be in your favor, let alone predict possible accidents that could break your concentration. Your PowerPoint file may get corrupted, batteries may drain, and your audience may respond with disagreements or negative reactions. That’s why to ensure that you and your discussion are on the right track, vigilant planning and preparation are important.You are not presenting out in front to embarrass yourself. Similarly, your audience aren’t waiting in their seats only to be disappointed by your performance.The best thing you can do is to fill the room with sensible words to satisfy their hunger for new and helpful ideas.

How Do You Cure the Deadly Sin of Sloth?

Cure sloth with its exact opposite: effort. The sin can be defeated with combined planning and practice.Invest your time in writing scripts or guideposts, but know when to depend on them. Use them only as your guide to avoid looking like you’re reading a speech. List down your notes, ideally in four to five sentences, so you can organize your thoughts and remember your cues.Find a specific speaking style that suits you and practice delivering it. Try recording and listening to your speech, as well as watching out for any lines that stand out to you. You can also record a video so you can evaluate your body language too. These help you identify which parts to improve on in your presentation.Study presentation tips from the history’s great public speakers. Learn about their rehearsing habits and apply it on your own speech. Let their success stories inspire you to strengthen your skills both in personal and professional life.Read online references, books and journals that feature tips on speech writing, delivery techniques, and PowerPoint presentations. Doing this gives you a crash course on the things that should be done and avoid while doing a public speaking stint.

Conclusion

The sin of sloth or failing to prepare means sacrificing your pitch’s flow.It helps to create an outline of your main points. Write down your script to present your ideas completely and seamlessly.Explore different speaking styles and choose what you can best deliver. Self-evaluate your speech by recording your speech. Watch and listen your recorded video so you can examine both your verbal and nonverbal communication skills and find out what needs improvement.Lastly, take advantage of an array of references available in the web, at your home, and offices. Reading is never a bad resort when you want to nurture more your public speaking skills.Slay this sluggishness as early as in the pre-presentation stage by following these tips.Remember, nothing makes a presenter more confident and credible than being well-practiced and prepared.Need a great deck to match your speech? Check out our portfolio for inspiration, or contact our slide design experts for a consultation with a free quote. [sg-blog-modules module=one]

References

Dlugan, Andrew. “The 7 Deadly Sins of Public Speaking.” Six Minutes. September 21, 2009.“Sins, Virtues, and Tales.” Seven Deadly Sins. http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/7-deadly-sins-public-speaking/Hardon, John. Pocket Catholic Dictionary. Garden City, New York: Image Books, 1985.“7 Must Read Life Lessons from Benjamin Franklin.” Business Insider. May 31, 2011. Accessed March 2, 2016. www.businessinsider.com/7-must-read-life-lessons-from-benjamin-franklin-2011-6 Featured Image: “Seven Deadly Sins” by Rox Steady on flickr.com

Put Your Best Foot Forward: BLUF Presentations

BLUF

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presentation tips

Presentations

public speaking

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Aug 04, 2015

We’ve talked much about how effective presentations rely on time-tested and expert-recommended ways, techniques, and structures.However, we still get questions on whether there could be an easier, simpler way to plan your slides. There is one such thing: the BLUF Model.

Keeping It Short and Simple

BLUF is an acronym often used in communication. It stands for “Bottom-Line Up Front.” The BLUF model’s main purpose is to keep things clear and concise. It sets your best foot forward right out of the gate, putting the most vital parts of your talk into your introduction.Here, all the conclusions, recommendations, and sometimes even the call-to-action is presented in the very beginning. All of the supporting information is kept to a minimum and placed after. According to McMillion Leadership Associates president, Mark McMillion, this approach drives the pitch straight to the point, making things more streamlined and economical.Having a cohesive story or adjective tension can build interest. However, there are some instances when you just need to roll in and say what you need to say. Afterwards, simply reap the rewards of a job well done.

Where What Works

If you’re giving a presentation just to keep your bosses updated on pending or ongoing work, using the BLUF model lets you do it quickly and efficiently.This approach is also ideal to use with strong USP’s (Unique Selling Propositions). This is the perfect structure especially if you’re confident about what you’re trying to sell. It fits in occasions where you know you only have a short amount of time to pitch.With this, there’s no need for narratives, stories, build-ups, or any of the other fancy skills. If you expect to be done quickly, then why bother prepping your audience for a long haul? Instead, use this format to get right down to the core message and the key benefits.

Mismatches

This doesn’t mean that we should start all of our decks from scratch. Presentations needing more time might be better suited with your standard presentation fare.To engage and prepare your audience for a lot of necessary information, data, and arguments, a narrative structure will do. The standards are there for a reason. For most occasions, they work brilliantly – acting as all-around solutions for a wide array of visual communication problems.You need a tried and tested framework to make your message flow if you have lot of details and data to explain.

Conclusion

Most of the time, you’ll still need a well-planned and designed deck. It’s still worth considering alternate ways of designing your PowerPoints, including the BLUF Model.It keeps your pitch simple and straight to the point, putting all the information you need right at the beginning instead of wasting time building up to your big reveal.However, the BLUF method isn’t always the answer to your presentation problems. There are times when a narrative structure would work better. Test for yourself whether the BLUF method works for your particular presentation or not. This increases your flexibility and gives you an extra ace in the hole for when you might need it.

References

Angeles, Sara. “36 Ways to Make a Killer Business Presentation.” Business News Daily. June 27, 2014.”Advertisers’ PowerPoint Visual Design Tips: Calls to Action.” SlideGenius, Inc. May 28, 2015.”BLUFing Your Communication at Work.” The Managers Resource Handbook. February 17, 2014. Featured Image: “Best Foot Forward” by Jason Rogers on flickr.com