Well sure, some of these people are just naturals when it comes to presenting.
But in reality good presentation skills is not relegated to just the cool kids.
It's an inherent skill that we have always possessed since the beginning of civilization,
in all cultures within every country. It's practically in our DNA. It just seems
we've forgotten the basics.
So In the spirit of bringing everybody to their presentational greatness, here
are 5 secrets to help unleash the presenter in you.
1. Be devoted to your audience
When it comes to presenting we have this dangerous tendency to ask ourselves
"What do I want to say?” or “What do I want to show them?" Instead,
try asking yourself, "What do these people need to know? What do they need
to do? What do they need to feel as a result of this presentation?" or even
"How can I help this group of people do their jobs better? How can I help
them to be better?"
By using your audience as the point of departure, a very different “unique”
presentation will emerge. If you meet your audience's needs first, yours too
will be met. Don't lose track of who you are and what your style is.
2. Be yourself
The internet is filled with some of the smartest, funniest, and most interesting
people in the world. Yet, you would be hard pressed to find humor and interest
in most presentation situations. I've sat through presentations featuring some
of the brightest minds and have been bored to death!
But know this: Whenever a presentation gives off low energy and brings you to
the brink of insanity, it's because the presenter is not really presenting
themselves. They’re giving you the "serious grown up" persona or the
"we really have to win this pitch" persona.
If you're not sure who you are exactly, or what your voice is, you're not
alone. Just think of how many dull presentations you’ve had to sit through in
the past. There is a reason for this problem: Boring feels safe. It takes
guts to be yourself. But as an audience, we deserve the real you.
3. Don’t build a wall of text
Remember that your visual senses trumps all other senses. If you think about
it, this explains why we all go into zombie mode when someone throws up a slide
filled with text. When used properly, high quality imagery can create a mood
that helps you make a deep impression into the minds and memories of people. If
you feel you must use lots of words, best to rely on a handout or a
leave-behind.
4. Give them a role to play
Ask your audience questions and encourage interaction during your presentation.
Not just a, "So what do you think?" Don't be afraid to ask for
feedback early and often. The more elaborately your audience can interact with
a concept or message, the more likely they are to remember it. After all, the
last thing a learner wants is to be preached to.
5. Cut to the chase
Sometimes we can spend a ridiculous amount of time during presentations with
the wind-up. We may describe what analytics do, or how the social media is the
next big thing. (Really? Do we have to go over this again?) But the truth is,
unless your audience has been hiding under a rock, chances are, they know what
you're talking about, and they just wish you'd get to the point.
I would say that most of the time, people want to love your presentation. They want to get absorbed in a story, an idea, and feel as though they’ve become a part of something larger than themselves. So dig deep, remember who you are, and unleash the presenter in you.
