Bill Jobs http://www.dramaticsolutions.co.uk 3m 736
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Speaking to an audience can be one of the most nerve racking experiences in life. Many of us freeze at the thought of speaking to a group of people, whether it is for our work or a social event. The thought of being the centre of attention and having your every word and movement under scrutiny can be a terrifying prospect.
However public speaking is a very valuable skill as it can help you to move forward in your career and could make all the difference in many job roles. Public speaking skills can also be beneficial in your personal life as well. There are many situations in life that call for good communication skills. For example you could be called on to make a speech at a wedding or special event. Presentation skills training can help you to build these skills and improve your chances in life.
Getting Started with Your Presentation
Very few people can ad-lib on the spot when it comes to making speeches. This can be a recipe for disaster as it can be all too easy to forget what you were going to say or to ramble. The secret to a really good presentation or speech is in the planning. You will need to write out your presentation and decide exactly what you are going to say. You will then be able to practise it and find out how long it will be. This will give you a chance to gain confidence in what you will be saying and also to trim bits off if it is too long. Here are just a few tips for writing your next business presentation:
- Introduction and Conclusion – write a short introduction and conclusion to your presentation. These short paragraphs should cover your main points and reinforce the content of your presentation to your audience.
- Highlight Key Phrases – less is more when it comes to business presentations. Try to cut sentences down and use short, snappy key phrases to make your points. It can help if you reinforce these phrases using a projector or whiteboard. This will help to ensure your main message gets across to the audience.
- Use a Formal Business Tone – if you are giving a business presentation then the tone needs to be formal. This will help you to create a professional image and give your audience confidence in what you are saying. Don’t use a casual, conversational tone and avoid any slang or swearing.
- Be Clear and Concise – try to avoid using lots of adjectives, long sentences or acronyms. Keep your presentation short and to the point. Bullet point key phrases to help you keep on track when you are speaking. If your presentation is too long-winded you could lose the interest of your audience.
- Check Grammar and Spelling – if you are using a projector, flip chart or whiteboard then check your spelling and grammar very carefully. Mistakes can really stand out and can automatically give a negative impression to your audience.
Creating a Confident Impression
You may be nervous when giving your presentation. This is only natural but you should try not to let your nerves get the best of you. You can still create a confident impression even if you are shaking like a jelly inside.
Good preparation will help you to feel more confident. If you have written a great presentation and practised it you will feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Your image can also play an important role in the way the audience perceives you. If you dress in a smart, formal manner then you can create a more professional image. This can also give you confidence as you will look and feel the part.
Posture is important when you are giving presentations. Standing up in front of your audience can help you establish yourself as an authority figure. Stand straight but with your body slightly relaxed. Keep your head up and engage your audience by maintaining eye contact through the room. This will help you to appear confident and will give others more trust in what you are saying.
Bill Jobs is a writer who believes that presentation skills training can help you to improve elements of both your business and personal life. This training is designed to improve your public speaking and presentation skills to help you when giving a speech or presenting an idea.
photo credit: ScoRDS via photopin cc
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