The possibility of losing your voice before a speech or presentation rates right up there as one of the greatest fears facing presenters and facilitators. The voice is a powerful but fragile instrument capable of the finest and most subtle nuances. We should really be looking after it properly. Here are some simple but useful […]
It is accepted by many presentation skills practitioners that the fear of making a fool of oneself is central to all other fears. The specific one I wish to address here is mentioned regularly during programmes or lectures that I’ve delivered – the fear of addressing high level business people or “superiors”. I recall having similar […]
[info]Is your slide show achieving what you intended? What if it isn’t…[/info] Your slides are supposed to help you make a better presentation. For most of us it does the opposite. Here’s why: Psychologically most of us create a slide show to help us stay on track. That’s the truth. Then we read it to […]
Presentations can be complex, especially if you’re using a slide show or other forms of technology in your mix. The more complex, the more things that can go wrong, and unless the entire event is totally under your control, there’s a good chance that more than one thing will not go as planned. Bearing in […]
The little things you accidentally do but don’t realize you’re doing are harming your presentations more than you think. Here are a few absolute presentation no-no’s: 1. Never start off by apologizing. You simply draw undue attention to the problem. You should always start on a positive note, preferably with a smile. By the same token, […]
Fear of public speaking stems from the very basic need to feel accepted. We want to be seen to be doing well and we fear making fools of ourselves. In order to overcome this fear, most presenters do indeed spend a good deal of time preparing for their presentations, but their time allocation is heavily […]
If you present or speak internationally, sooner or later may find yourself working with a translator. The translator’s role is a complex and difficult one. First, they are converting language. Second they’re translating meaning, context and intent. Third, they are conveying the feelings of the speaker as projected by tone of voice. It’s not an […]
When you speak to an audience you want to get your message across with impact, and within your allotted time. You may further wish to inform and persuade. Here are your tools: The sound of your voice (sometimes amplified) Your presentation content Your content structure (how effectively your content is organised) Your topic knowledge (additional […]
If you’ve ever been bored by someone’s presentation, then you’ll want to ensure that you don’t do the same to your audience when it’s your turn to speak. Here are 13 great tips on how to engage your audience so that they enjoy your presentation, and take action (if that’s what you intended!). Look at […]
There are many ways to deliver a good speech. And there is more than one way to prepare a dazzling presentation. But it’s unusual to hear a good speech or presentation that did not involve preparation in one form or another. Here are some common scenarios: You’ve studied your topic and know your stuff. Your […]