Speaker Program Challenges, Speaking Tips

On Your Mark, Get Set, Present (Well!)

Speaker Program Challenges, Speaking Tips
There are a few challenges that speakers face when executing speaker programs.

Some strategies that can be applied to anyone preparing for a speaking engagement include improving the educational value of the session you are holding as well as performing as an effective speaker.

Here are some general tips that you can apply to improve your performance in front of a crowd.

Engaging the audience is done best with your body language and communication. PowerPoint slides should be used minimally for emphasis of key information and diagrams, and should not be overly packed with information. Asking questions of the audience can inspire participation, even if those questions are rhetorical.

Regardless of how comfortable you are on a topic, practice really does make perfect. It is the only surefire way to be sure you have your timing and material down pat. There are all sorts of takes on how long a person should spend getting comfortable with a slide, but a good frame of reference is to be able to speak to each slide for one minute. What it takes to do that may be up to an hour of practice per slide. Don’t be discouraged. If you’re speaking on a topic that you may revisit and speak to multiple times, this effort will be well worth your while.

Keep in mind, there are minor things that you can avoid that will keep your presentation on track. Transitions between slides are important. Having clever verbiage to get you from slide to slide will put you in an excellent position to continue with your deck without fail. Be ready for the audience’s mood. Having a strong comfort with your material should allow you to shift according to your audience’s response. This is important, while your deck may work in all instances, the way you work with it may need to be flexible. The better you know your material, the easier it will be to shift with your audience’s response.

The up front effort with your preparation goes a long way. Practice in front of your peers when you feel ready to present. See how your content flows by testing it in front of people who understand your topic and work through the feedback.

Try these tips before giving your next presentation. Pulling off an engaging and effective presentation doesn’t have to be difficult – we’ve all seen a performance that missed the mark, but simple steps to prepare your script and iron out your material and slides make all the difference. Break a leg!