How many times do we groan with dread at the idea of sitting through a presentation? How many times do we “zone out” and not even hear what the presenter is saying? It happens often, especially when faced with a presenter who drones on and on without doing anything to keep interest. If you have to give a presentation, then the last thing you want is to be one of “those” we all groan at. You don’t have to change your whole style. And, you don’t even have to make big changes. Here are five tips for little things you can do to raise your own presentation game.
1. Cut Out the Fluff
It’s easy to try to fill in the gaps between interesting things with fluff. But, you lose personality and any connections you may have with your audience when you use filler. It’s vital to make sure every word, every sentence, and every inflection counts.
2. Believe in Your Words
If you present something and you don’t even believe in what you are saying, you certainly cannot expect your audience to believe either. Everything you say should be filled with emotion and passion. Your own belief in your words will convey the same belief to the listeners.
3. Make Eye Contact
The days of imagining the audience without their clothes or looking just over their heads are gone. It doesn’t work. It’s distracting and not engaging at all. When you are giving a presentation, engage your audience. Look them in the eye. But, remember the important 5-second rule. Make eye contact with one audience member for five seconds then move on. If you consistently make eye contact with one individual, you are guaranteed to make them uncomfortable.
4. Don’t Be a Data Robot
Facts matter in a presentation. Providing important data matters. But, it’s also very dry material, and giving too much data becomes robotic. It is also a surefire way to get your audience to stop paying attention. There are ways to present data and keep your audience interested. Try telling a small, personal story or anecdote. Throw in a joke or some light humor. Keep their attention even when you have to get through the “boring” details.
5. Use Visuals and Keep Them Brief
We live in a digital world, and it is one with short attention spans. Brevity is the key to engagement now. We all know that visuals play an important role in a good presentation, but if they are cluttered and filled with too many points, they won’t get read. Imagine you are writing a status update on the Internet. Imagine you want to grab attention before the audience’s minds move on. This is what you want to do with visual aids.
Whether you are giving a speech to a large audience, going over details in a business meeting, or even selling your brand in a job interview, it is key to make yourself stand out. You don’t have to do anything big to make your speech the best it can be. These five little changes can make a huge difference.
By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Executive Speakers Bureau