What is it about a speaker that makes us say “WOW?” When I think of speakers I’ve seen over the years that have “wowed” me, I realize they all had one thing in common – polished presentation skills. Although it can take years of practice to become a dynamic speaker, there are several “tricks of the trade” that you can practice to improve your presentations in the short term. But unless you are a naturally gifted Speaker, these skills require conscious effort each time you stand before an audience. Even I – after years of facilitating workshops and speaking in front of groups – run through a mental check-list each time I speak:
- Am I making eye contact?
- Are my gestures appropriate and convincing?
- Is my stance balanced?
- Am I using speech fillers?
Below are some of my favorite skill and improvement tips. Some of these techniques may seem obvious, but they’re often neglected or forgotten — especially when under pressure.
Make random eye contact.
It’s the most powerful means of conveying non-verbal messages and the single most important aspect of connecting with an audience. Scan the entire room and allow your gaze to rest on one person for approximately two seconds before you “scan and lock” again. Try to create a casual flow from front to back, side to side. Eye contact makes your audience feel included and acknowledged.
Smile!
It seems obvious, but a smile is the first thing that goes when you are nervous. But smiling is a great method to break the ice and put your audience at ease. Become aware of the degree to which you smile (or don’t) when you’re nervous.
Use gestures for emphasis.
A gesture is a hand movement that is as much a part of language as speech! The bigger the audience, the bigger the gestures need to be. Try to scale your gestures to match the size of your audience. Gestures need to start at the shoulder and stay above the waist – so everyone can see them. Low gestures can draw the audience down and away from your face, and then they become distracting. Penguins can be cute, but they’re not good presenters.
Assume the “Ready Position.”
Place your feet hip-width apart to create a solid base. Position your weight over the balls of the feet and relax your knees. Finally, rest your arms at your sides. Resist the urge to fidget!
Move with purpose!
Focus on someone in your audience. Move toward that same person as you are speaking, and maintain eye contact. Stop in the “Ready Position” and stay in one spot for awhile. Don’t move too soon, or you’ll look like you’re pacing. From here, you can focus on several people, one at a time, for 3-6 seconds each. (3-6 seconds translates into a complete thought or sentence per person.)
Make listening easy.
By incorporating silent spaces between thoughts, you give listeners time to absorb the idea you just stated. Best of all, it gives you an opportunity to breathe!
Reduce filler words.
Become aware of the fillers (uh’s, um’s, you knows, etc.) and replace them with the silence of a pause. Listen to your own voice-mail messages to help identify your particular fillers.
Finally, don’t hide your hands in your pockets!
If both of your hands are in your pockets, it says your usefulness is in suspension!! Literally translated, “I can’t give you a hand.”
I enjoy learning about and gathering new tips and techniques to add to my “Trainer’s Toolbox,” so I’d like to hear from you. What are some of your favorite tools/techniques to polish your presentation skills?
Melissa
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A polished well researched and well practiced development program will engage people from the moment they agree to attend. The details of the teaching opportunities, like clean accessible bathrooms are one of the first things people need to know about, a well ventilated room, comfortable seating and the chance to be heard all make a training opportunity and true deep learning experience.
Good starting ideas- I also find that if the presenter truly leverages the first minute or two with a strong story- a relevant personal experience or statistics or data that has a “WOW” factor followed by a couple of questions to spark audience dialogue- sets a nice interactive setting from the start.
I love this piece, but I think you missed on one point. When I look at a presentation that really “wowed” me, I usually find “passion”. If the speaker is passionate about what they present, it comes across as real and engaging. If the speaker is just “presenting”, but lacks passion for what they’re saying, I usually find myself wanting to nod off. It’s the one thing that has helped me tremendously over the years. First it makes it easier to present something I’m passionate about. Second, I find my audience more engaged, even if the subject matter isn’t “exciting”. And last, I find it gives the audience a sense of “ownership” when I’m passionate enough to engage them directly in the presentation! Just my 2 cents worth!
I second, third and fourth the importance of PASSION! While everything Melissa and others have stated above is valid, passion in delivery can overcome a multitude of delivery sins. It is because of my passion and sincerity that my audiences focus on my message and overlook (forgive?) my many delivery flaws. While passion isn’t the only thing, it is what separates the good from the great in most things, including training and public speaking. Let’s all be passionate in what we do, for ourselves and our audiences!
I agree wholeheartedly folks! Passion is a must for an engaging speaker. Thanks for your comments.
When training new trainers, I always give them the following tips:
1. If you tend to “wring” you hands – put one of them in your pocket.
2. If you “pigeon toe” your feet slighlty, you will be less likey to shift or pace.
3. “Own” what you are presenting – if you don’t believe in it – how can the audience.
4. Don’t hold anything unless you have to – a pen or piece of paper in your hand will emphasise any shaking. If you need to hold notes – make these a5 cards and not a4 sheets.
5. Passion, Passion, Passion!
6. etc,etc
I have been a member of Toastmasters International for several years. This one change has propelled my career exponentially. It provides a safe environment for tyring all kinds of new things and polishing up things that need work.