Business Presentations
by Pat Nichol
Communication Connection
So you won't be one of the seven out of ten people that would rather die than speak in public, take advantage of these ten tips. Remember we have three wishes as presenters; to be heard, to be understood and to have the audience "buy in" to our message.
- Keep your audience in mind
Your audience should be your first, second and final concern. Find out as much as possible about them, what are their likes, dislike, how much do they know about the subject. Give them what they want to hear, not what you want to tell them. Remember that they are tuned into station WIIFM
- Visualize your success
Practice imaging what you are saying, doing, how the audience is reacting to what you are saying and doing. See yourself going through the whole day. See the applause at the end of the session. Do this several times, so that when it comes time to actually stand up, your right brain thinks "hey, we've done this all before, piece of cake."
- Formula T3OC � it's magic
Write your presentation using this formula. What is the one main thought I want the audience to remember when I leave the room? What is my theme? Thesis? Build your presentation around this, the three becomes the body of the presentation. It could be past present future. Then you write a great opening, then the closing, which can be the opening repeated. Great formula.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
The more you practice, the less you worry, the less you worry, the better you feel, the better you feel, the more confident you look, the more confident you look, the more your audience relaxes and enjoys themselves. Etc.
- Come out Punching
Make those first comments ones that really grab your audience by the ears. Forget the good afternoon etc. Also remember to say thank you for the introduction etc.
- Use some visuals
Use some, but remember that you are your own best visual. Any that you use must relate to the topic.
- Power of the Pause
Get rid of those bad habits, like errs, uhms, use the pause instead. Let go of the need to fill the silences. Pauses are powerful tools to help your audience catch up with you.
- Answer questions in advance
You know your material, you know what questions you had about the subject. Answer questions during your presentation by touching on what you think this audience wants to hear.
- Feed them bite sized bits
Sentences should be only 8 � 12 words in length. Anything longer than that, you run out of breath and your audience runs out of listening.
- Close with warmth
Audiences remember best openings and closings. Make yours memorable. Make them want to have you back.
�1999 by Pat Nichol. All rights reserved.
Pat Nichol is an author/speaker who is doing her best to balance her life. She is a charter member of the WBN and a leader in the field of connecting and relationship building since the '80s. Pat is an example of a speaker who loves what she does. Pat Nichol is a charter member of the WBN and a leader in the field of connecting and relationship building since the '80s. Pat is an example of a speaker who loves what she does. Visit her web site at www.patnichol.com or contact her at (250) 474-4606 or [email protected]
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