Giving Powerful Presentations---- - Ppt Download

M.Peer Mohamed Sardhar
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Giving Powerful Presentations----

Introduction..

Sweaty palms? Palpitations? Sleepless nights? You must be due to give a talk of some

kind.

Whether it's a wedding speech, an in-house presentation or an informative talk for your

own purposes, having this unassuming little ebook to hand will keep you on the right track.

Containing 101 (& a bonus) "at-a-glance" gems, it's ideal for the busy person who needs

this information….. AND NEEDS IT NOW!!

Structure.

1. Tell them what you're going to tell them – Tell them – Tell them what you told them.

2. Don't make your speech one long ramble. It's more interesting and easier for you to

remember if you string together a series of points and tell a story to illustrate each.

3. "When speakers use a lot of numbers, the audience almost always slumbers". It's

okay to use a few as illustration and you should always have the back-up information

to hand, but a long regurgitation of figures won't be remembered or appreciated.

The Opening.

4. Your opening is crucial. You have 30-120 seconds to capture the audience's

attention. They will make up their minds about you in that short time and spend the

rest of the time seeking facts to justify their opinions.

5. Involve the audience at the outset. Pulling out one audience member involves

everyone else as they will identify with the "volunteer".

6. Opening questions – even rhetorical ones – draws everyone in and gets them relating

what you're saying back to them.

7. Never start with an apology of any kind. If something's gone wrong, the audience

may not have noticed until you brought it up!

The Closing.

8. A speech is like a love affair, any fool can start one but to end it requires considerable

skill

9. This is the 2nd most important part of your speech so spend time getting it right.

What's the ONE thing you want your audience to take away with them? "If you only

take one thing away with you today…..".

Crrreeeaaatttiiinnnggg YYYooouuurrr PPPrrreeessseeennntttaaatttiiiooonnn

10. Start with the end in mind. What's the purpose of your speech? The objective will

drive everything else.

11. Find out as much as you can about the audience. You don't want to "teach Granny to

suck eggs", OR use industry jargon with outsiders.

12. Likewise, tell stories with which the audience will identify. There's little point

peppering your talk with rugby tales when you're addressing a group of young

mothers!

13. Write your own introduction and provide it to your host before the event. This gives

you control over what you want your audience to know.

14. Write for the ear, not for the eye. There's nothing worse than a speech which sounds

like somebody's reading it from paper.

15. Mark Twain said "It takes three weeks to prepare a good, impromptu speech". If you

know you have to give a talk, start preparing early.

16. Be ruthless. If something doesn't add to your objective, take it out. Make everything

count, you're privileged to be there!

17. The use of absolutes adds weight to your argument. Words like "absolutely", "never"

and "definitely" are powerful.

18. Once you've decided on the points you want to make, write each on a separate piece

of paper and spread them on the floor or table. Move them around to find natural

links to make your talk flow.

19. Make sure the key points you want your audience to know are repeated two or more

times and group similar ideas to establish themes.

20. Don't feel you have to tell all you know. Your task is to generate interest and get the

audience to take further action.

21. Remember the audience is always thinking WIIFM (what's in it for me?) It's human

nature. They will pay more attention when there's a payback for them, even if it's as

simple as you complimenting them.

22. Don't trample on the audience response. If you get a laugh or applause or other

reaction, allow time to let it happen. Don't interrupt your own audience!

23. Use the word "you" frequently. Ask questions such as "What would you do if…..", or

"Ask yourself whether…..", etc.

24. Use examples from your own experiences. People will relate to you if they can

identify with your stories.

25. Ensure your presentation sounds current, even if you're using the same speech many

times over a long period. Add in observations about current events.

26. Write in a modular format. You can then miss out chunks and move to your closing if

you overrun or get allocated less time than you expected.

Finding & Using Humour

27. Humour can be one of the most effective ways of driving home your message.

People feel good when they laugh and it builds rapport with the audience.

28. Make sure any humour is appropriate for your audience and current events. You

wouldn't want to include a story involving an aeroplane right after an airline disaster.

29. Keep a notebook with you for jotting down any humorous incidents or stories you

hear. Everyday life can be very funny and if you don't record it you're bound to forget.

30. Don't be funny, be humorous. You're not there to be a comic and tell jokes, so make

sure the humour you use ties in with your message or the point you're making.

31. Use what you find funny. If it tickles you, the likelihood is that it will do the same for

others.

32. Avoid using humorous stories that are currently doing the rounds. If you heard them

recently, chances are others have too. Instead, squirrel them away and let them

mature.

Visuals

33. Be careful of creating very text-heavy slides. Your audience will read them instead of

listening to you.

34. Colours reproduce differently on screen vs. paper. Check out your chosen scheme

using both mediums.

35. Stick to a maximum of 3 colours per slide. Too many can appear garish.

36. The same background colour throughout adds continuity to your presentation.

37. Consider using charts to compare figures. A graphical representation can be far more

revealing than words.

38. Use pictures instead of words wherever possible. They make good memory joggers

for you and bring in the audience's imagination.

39. Text: don't mix fonts – two at most on one slide. Use upper and lower case – all

capitals is like SHOUTING AT YOUR AUDIENCE.

40. Spelling & grammar. Get it right! An audience can laser in on an error which both

distracts attention and makes you appear less professional. Have someone else

proof read for you.

41. Number your slides – it's very easy to get confused when all eyes are upon you.

42. When using an overhead projector, don't leave the light shining on a blank screen.

It's blinding and unprofessional.

43. When your slide appears, pause for a moment so the audience can take in the

information.

Practical Preparation

44. Record your speech on a dictaphone and play it as often as you can. Eventually,

you'll find yourself speaking along with the tape.

45. Video yourself, if you can. This is an excellent way of becoming aware of your use of

body language – is it congruent? If not, your audience may have a hard time

believing what you're telling them.

46. An alternative to video is to perform many times in front of a mirror.

47. Always rehearse using your visual aids and any other props.

48. Time yourself several times. Remember to allow for pauses and audience reactions.

Notes & Memory TIPS

49. Mentally place each separate point in a room of your house and make your speech a

walk through the house, bringing in each item as you progress.

50. Use big type and big gaps in your notes. You need to be able to glance at them and

see where you are instantly, not spend time finding your place.

51. Consider using pictures on your cards instead. The picture will trigger your key point.

You will speak more naturally and won't be tempted to read off the page.

52. Write your keywords or little reminder graphics on small cards. These are far less

conspicuous than a sheet of paper.

53. Number the cards containing your keywords and string them together using a treasury

tag or elastic band. There's nothing worse than dropping your cards and scrambling

about to get them back in order.

54. Write notes on the frames of your overhead slides.

Mental Preparation.

55. Write down all the times in your life when you succeeded at something and remember

how you felt then. Always think of the successful times before you speak.

56. Sit quietly and visualise the outcome. See and hear the audience laughing, gasping

and sincerely applauding and know that you created that result.

57. Put all other thoughts out of your head. Remembering to pick up cat food on the way

home can wait till later. Your successful outcome is your single focus right now.

Neeerrrvvveeesss???

58. It may surprise you to know that even the most experienced speakers suffer from

nerves. Welcome them as a sign that you care and use them to your advantage.

59. Deep breaths calm, as can Bach Rescue Remedy or sniffing Lavender

aromatherapy oil.

60. Don't draw attention to your nerves. You may think it's obvious that you're nervous,

but most of the time it's not noticeable….. unless you point it out!

61. Be reassured that the audience is willing you to succeed. They'd rather hear an

entertaining speech than a poor one.

62. Yawning before you start speaking will help your jaw to loosen and aid your diction.

Practical Tips

63. Make sure you're familiar with the room and how to work any equipment, including

switching on microphones and working projectors. Stand on the stage and get

familiar with your spot before the audience arrive.

64. Chat with some of the audience beforehand. This will give you some familiar faces in

the audience and you won't feel quite like you're addressing a lot of strangers.

65. Never speak when looking down. If you need to refer to notes, do so, but look up

again before you start speaking.

66. Good eye contact doesn't mean sweeping the room. Instead, lock eyes for a few

seconds before moving on to the next person. Include as many members of your

audience as you can.

67. Depending on the nature of your presentation, it adds interest if you use your whole

stage. And remember, your stage doesn't have to stop where the audience starts –

why not move amongst them?

68. BUT…. don't just wander aimlessly. Be purposeful in your walking and use it to

punctuate what you're saying.

69. Make your gestures big and bold enough to be seen and appreciated from the back of

the room. When you're onstage you might feel that you're gesturing big, but

frequently you're really not being big enough.

70. Facial expressions convey a lot. Be sure to smile naturally as often as it's

appropriate. It opens up your face and builds trust and rapport.

71. Avoid swaying on the spot. If you need to stand still (perhaps to work with props or

overheads) keep one foot half a foot length in front of the other at a reasonable

spread.

72. Use pauses. They can be more effective than words for making an audience snap

back to attention. Punctuate important points with a pause each side.

73. Don't fidget! Jingling change, shuffling papers, fiddling with buttons or pens – all

these can distract the audience and detract from your message.

74. If you're using a microphone, get used to it first. Have a soundcheck but do it before

your audience arrives.

75. Keep your notes with you at all times. Don't leave them on the podium in readiness.

I've seen instances where the previous speaker has gathered everything together on

departing…. including the next speaker's notes!

76. Consider using a microphone for an audience of over 50.

77. Learn to read the audience's reaction. Lots of coughing often signifies boredom.

Take remedial action by changing pace, adding a story or involving them.

78. Avoid hiding behind a lectern or table, it creates a barrier between you and your

audience.

79. Stick to time! Everyone will appreciate it, including your host, the audience and the

next speaker.

Your Speaking Voice

80. Suck a honey flavoured sweet, a mint or a Vocalzone© lozenge just before you go on.

81. We can't all be BBC Broadcasters, so don't try to put on or hide an accent. The aim is

to use what you have to the best of your ability.

82. Speak as if to the person in the back row, imagining that everyone in between is

chatting amongst themselves, but……. DON'T SHOUT!

83. Take deep breaths and breathe from the diaphragm, not high in the chest. This gives

you more resonance, longer between breaths and helps assuage feelings of panic.

84. Have water on hand, but a better way to lubricate is to constrict the back of the throat

and breathe out in a rasping manner, like the precursor of a growl.

Quuueeessstttiiiooonnnsss & Annnsssweeerrrsss

85. If you can avoid it, don't end your speech with questions. You're relinquishing your

closing to the questioner so if the last question isn't a good one, your closing becomes

weak. Build Q&As into the speech.

86. Consider using a "car park" for longer presentations. Provide delegates with sticky

notes on which to write their questions. Encourage them to stick these on an area of

wall designated as the "car park". They will be happy that their question will be

addressed in the fullness of time.

87. If you are inviting questions, make sure an audience member, perhaps your host, is

ready with a question to ask.



88. If you can't "plant" a question and nobody asks the first, say "A question I'm often

asked is…..".

89. Encourage more questions by always starting your answer with "That's a very good

question…", Good point…", or similar

90. If you're asked a question to which you don't know the answer, don't make it up. Say

you don't know, get the questioner's contact details and get back to them when you're

found the answer.

91. Reflecting a question back to the originator shows you've listened and understood

and ensures the whole audience hears it.

92. Listen to the words your questioner uses. For example, does he say "I can't see how

I….", or "I'm not hearing how I…..", or "I don't feel I…..". He will feel acknowledged if

you use the same words in your response.

93. Remain calm and avoid ever getting into an argument with your audience.

94. Address your answer to the whole audience, rather than just to the questioner.

Handouts

95. Tell the audience at the start that you have handouts so they don't feel pressured to

make detailed notes. But understand that when people take notes, they often

remember what they've heard better.

96. Keep handouts until the end, otherwise your audience will be reading them during

your presentation.

97. Ensure your contact details are on every handout sheet. You never know where

they'll end up.

98. Make sure your handouts contain useful information in addition to a summary of your

talk. Related websites, recommended reading lists or special offers are always

appreciated.

Improving

99. Practise makes perfect. Give your talk whenever and wherever you can. Some of

the world's best speakers gave hundreds of free speeches before they were ever paid

for giving one.

100. Ask people you trust to provide feedback. What worked? What didn't? Tweak your

next speech accordingly.

101. Join a local speakers club. Toastmasters, for example. You'll learn in a supportive

environment and get feedback on your efforts. Visit www.toastmasters.org for the

location of your nearest club.

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SunilChandra
Dear Sardhar Saheb,
Thanks a lot.
How do you find time to keep on enlightening us with such unfailing regularity.
Your admirer,
Sunil Chandra
www.piiconsultants.com
SHRIYA KARVE
this was a fantastic job.....
I have always admired the way and the material u have posted so far....
keep posting such wonderful things.....
Also today, on this occasion i wud like to wish you 'Eid Mubarak'. May the coming year bring you peace & prosperity.....
Thanx
Shriya Karve.
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