How to Make the Best Presentation of Your Life
Believe it or not, some people are passionate about giving presentations. They enjoy the experience, they jump on two feet, and many of them become accomplished speakers who, in some cases, make a profession out of it.
At the other end of the public speaking spectrum are those who have a debilitating fear of public speaking. For them, the experience comes with a racing heart, a feeling of fear, or worse. Some become physically ill, regardless of the amount of training and preparation.
Then there’s the huge group in the middle where you probably live: they don’t like public speaking and don’t get sick of it. It’s inconvenient, but they can do it despite the occasional shaky voice, going over or behind the times, having slides with 12 point text, or losing the audience about halfway through.
If you are in this latter group, you are not alone: most of the population has some level of discomfort (or simply inexperience) with public speaking. The good news is that there are basic and simple ways to improve your public speaking that will help you achieve more than mediocre. There are only a few here.
Don’t start with slides
When bosses, clients, or teachers ask for a presentation, they usually start by opening the slideshow. You can start shuffling slides from a previous presentation or create a new slideshow presentation from scratch, but you shouldn’t. It ends up wasting a ton of time. Instead, plan your presentation first. Spend half an hour and sketch out key points. This will make it much easier and faster to create a presentation once you have a plan to follow.
Focus on what your audience needs, not how much you know
Many speakers try to bring their audience to the same level of understanding that they have. This is almost always wrong. Your audience doesn’t need as much information as you have; instead, they need you to translate what’s in your head into something useful to them . Cut it short and make it concise.
It’s often helpful to simply ask yourself, “What are the top three things my audience needs to know about this topic?” or “What are the three most important things people should remember after a presentation?” This focuses your attention on your audience (and not on yourself). Once you know these three things, it will be easier for you to build a presentation.
Keep visuals and presentation structure simple
To avoid overdoing the presentation structure, think about an introduction, 2-3 main points, and a conclusion. Make sure these items are the most important for what you want your audience to know.
If your images have text, avoid long sentences and absolutely no paragraphs. Your audience cannot read and listen to you at the same time. Slides should be clear at a glance, and a picture or graphic is ideal. If there is text, make sure the font size is at least 18-20 points, and try not to have more than five list points on one slide.
When you plan to give a presentation, think in simple terms. Use this old public speaking model:
- Tell them what you are going to tell them. (This is your introduction.)
- Tell them. (These are your 2-3 main points.)
- Tell them what you told them. (This is your conclusion, which conveys to you exactly what you want your audience to remember.)
You will remember what to say, your audience will be able to follow you, and a simple structure will make your presentation more memorable and engaging.
Practice in front of someone and time it
The worst thing you can do is rehearse your presentation in your head, sitting alone at your desk. You have to perform in public (out loud and in front of others), so it’s a waste of time to rehearse while thinking and being alone.
Once you know what to say, practice saying it in front of one or more friends or co-workers. Ask your audience to record your performance to better manage their time. Public speaking is like any skill: the more you practice it, the easier it becomes.
If there is a Q&A time scheduled after your presentation, rehearse the questions as well, including the likely scenario where you will be asked questions you don’t know the answer to. Rehearse and prepare a response, such as “I don’t know, but I’d love to know and get back to you.”
Remind yourself of what really matters
Despite all the preparation, the nerves still fail. One way to stay calm is to find a picture, sign, or mantra that reminds you that this performance is just a moment in time. There are probably aspects of your life that are more important than a presentation, and something that reminds you of what’s really important (like family photos, a small gift from a meaningful trip, or listening to the right song) can help neutralize nerves enough. to successfully deliver your message.
Giving a presentation can be uncomfortable, but if you take the time to prepare and practice, it will be much easier for you. Then focusing on the bigger picture of what makes sense in your life may be just what you need to reduce stress even further.