I believe that we all are champions and have enough potential to do what we love to do but very few of us able to reach the height of success.
Why?
One of the most common reason I see is not having enough good presentation skills.
Having a sound mind is half success and deliver it properly is another half.
There are dozens of companies spending millions on advertising. Why? To look good obviously, but they want to convince people is what they have is unique. Regardless, how bad you have heard about the company. The product they have is unique.
Hiding weakness and promoting what I have, like a sun in the morning or the white moon in a dark night. Though, there are lots of spots on the moon or Sun can make your eyes weak but who cares
Nowadays, with the help of social media, your image is everything, doesn’t matter how qualified you are or how you look like. If you look good, it means you are 1st step ahead to start the conversation. If you are not, then you need to work on it.
Presentation is the key of success in every field. Why companies evaluate their candidates by conducting interviews? Why HR always conducts the first interview by asking simple questions?
They want to make sure how good you are compare to others.
First impression is the last impression. If you don’t give a good impression, doesn’t matter how good you are with what you do, people will be yawning at your presentation and wait anxiously for you say Thank you.
I attended so many conferences lately and had good or bad experiences in terms of attending workshops.
This is what usually happens once we enter at the conference hall, after keynote sessions, we pick some workshops and run over to those sessions believing that the workshop has a worth to attend but sometimes same sessions break your expectations into pieces.
Following are the things I observed while attending the sessions and I hope you all have seen those too.
- Many times it happens that the presenters start reading from the slides.
- They start checking all the equipment during presentation time.
- Sometimes they are waiting for ghosts to come and say “Can you please start the presentation” – I have an appointment with the doctor.
- Opening the slide and checking the projector setting at presentation time.
- Slides full of words.
- Instead of writing a word or short sentences, they write a complete story.
- With 30 mins of presentation, people normally spent 25 mins introducing themselves and another 5 mins talk about the actual topic.
- Using technical words while presenting.
- No FAQs
- Lack of using images
I am sure, many of us have seen those or did in the past (I confess that I did that a couple of times).The problem is that you always get confused with where to start? You don’t need a certain skill set. Anyone can do it. The only thing you need to do is to understand the pattern. Let me show you how it works:
Practice:
Practice makes the men perfect! Practice the presentation as much as you can. Book an empty room and revise the points. Record yourself on a video camera and find out the mistakes you doing. Remember, you are the judge of your own. No one knows your weakness better than yourself so, find out those mistakes and try to improvise as much as you can.
How to start a presentation:
Including above points, many speakers come late at the presentation, connecting their laptops, checking all the devices connected properly and then introduce themselves. It is better to come 10 mins early and after 5 mins of introduction and use following openers. I bet they are the three best killer openers. This is one of the best video I found on YouTube.
Conor Neill, a professor of Persuasive Communications on MBA courses at IESE Business School for 10 years. This is part of a collection of short lessons compiled from his courses and shared for use both as a support to his classes, and a way of sharing this valuable knowledge to a wider audience via these awesome digital tools
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w82a1FT5o88&w=560&h=315]
- Start with a Question
This is third best key opener to start a presentation. Ask question about the topic or the thing they know about. This will engage your audience and take an interest.
- Fact that shock or Amaze – Rethink
The second best idea is to come up with the strange fact that will let your audience think about it. Like this, you are distracting your audience with what they have had in their mind prior to your presentation. Now, their minds are clean slate, you can write whatever you want.
- Once Upon a Time – Tell A Story
One of the best opener is to come up with the story. Start your presentation with actual situation or scenario that has happened to you or one your friend. Who don’t want to listen stories? Steve Jobs or Bill gates or the people presenting at TED shows are the best examples.
Bring Your Idea:
After using one of above openers, you got your audience attention and now is the time to fill what you have in your mind. They are ready to hear. This is the time you need to use smartly and effectively. Sell your ideas that will bring more attention and increase their curiosity.
Communication skills
Communication skills are very important. Since your idea is new to them, it’s better to take a while so, they can understand your idea properly. Slow down the tone of your voice while communicating and say each and every word clearly. And don’t stiff yourselves while you are presenting. Keep moving.
Slide:
Don’t fill up your content with word or don’t like long sentences. It will distract your audience from you. Use short sentences with images. The bulleted point shouldn’t me more than four or six maximum in one slide.
Asking Questions:
No one wants to have one way communication for half an hour or an hour. Your audience wants to have 2- ways communication. For this, asking question is the key. It is better to ask questions after every 8 – 10 mins. It will help your audience a lot and will keep them engaging with the topic.
Last five minutes of the presentation are very crucial, many people from the audience would like to ask questions to fill in the gaps in their minds. It is highly recommended to finish your presentation 5 mins early so your audience can ask questions.
One of the best video, I would like to share that will help you to make an effective presentation.
This is a professional training session by Joel Hochberger, founder of Effective Presentations Inc. showing executives and sales reps how to organize and deliver a presentation that is clear, concise, interesting, and effective.
Remember, the better your Presentation skills are the more Effective your Public Speaking will be. Make your next presentation a success!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOwQUd8qkMM&w=560&h=315]
I hope you liked it. Please share your thoughts.