Presenting tips
5 slightly obscure presentation tips
Mar 01, 2017 |
Presenting tips
Below are our top 5 presentation skills tips — albeit slightly obscure ones — to help you before and during your presentation…
1. Water, water but never milk! Never drink milk before a presentation as it coats your vocal chords and impedes your vocal impact. Sipping water allows there to be silence in the room; pausing is one of the most powerful tools when presenting. It allows your audience to digest what you have just said and it also gives you a chance to think what you will say next.
2. Get that chin parallel. If you keep your chin parallel to the ground it ensures you are not tilting your head downwards and projecting your voice to the floor. It also ensures that you do not tilt your chin upwards which can give the impression you are looking down your nose at your audience.
3. Clench your buttocks. Yes, that was not a misprint, clench your buttocks. This is a great exercise to do when you feel nervous – immediately your focus is taken from your ner...
1. Water, water but never milk! Never drink milk before a presentation as it coats your vocal chords and impedes your vocal impact. Sipping water allows there to be silence in the room; pausing is one of the most powerful tools when presenting. It allows your audience to digest what you have just said and it also gives you a chance to think what you will say next.
2. Get that chin parallel. If you keep your chin parallel to the ground it ensures you are not tilting your head downwards and projecting your voice to the floor. It also ensures that you do not tilt your chin upwards which can give the impression you are looking down your nose at your audience.
3. Clench your buttocks. Yes, that was not a misprint, clench your buttocks. This is a great exercise to do when you feel nervous – immediately your focus is taken from your ner...
Truth hurts… but not in the long run
We are delighted to have our founder’s brother, Sean McMahon, doing a guest post about how honesty is always the best policy, especially when it comes to presenting and public speaking…
We are now living in the era of “fake news” and “new truth” where just by saying something makes it so. I much preferred the good old days (i.e. pre-2016) when honesty and truth meant that a fact was real and could be relied upon as being true and correct. Having worked in Financial Services for over 26 years the truth is something that I rely upon every day especially in my interaction with customers and colleagues.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that trying to bluff your way around a subject with a customer when dealing with their money would only end in tears, be this in a presentation or even in a conversation.
Customers found it perfectly acceptable for me to say that I didn’t have the answer to a question and appreciated the fact that I wasn’t trying to pull the woo...
We are now living in the era of “fake news” and “new truth” where just by saying something makes it so. I much preferred the good old days (i.e. pre-2016) when honesty and truth meant that a fact was real and could be relied upon as being true and correct. Having worked in Financial Services for over 26 years the truth is something that I rely upon every day especially in my interaction with customers and colleagues.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that trying to bluff your way around a subject with a customer when dealing with their money would only end in tears, be this in a presentation or even in a conversation.
Customers found it perfectly acceptable for me to say that I didn’t have the answer to a question and appreciated the fact that I wasn’t trying to pull the woo...
5 tips for creating a fantastic first impression
Nov 10, 2016 |
blog, Other, Pitching, Presenting tips
|business presentations, communicating with confidence, corporate presentatins, Presenting tips |
“How long does it take to create a first impression?”
Two minutes? Twenty seconds? Two seconds? Some psychologists* would suggest that the length is as short as one tenth of a second. Therefore, before you have opened your mouth the audience are beginning to form an impression.
So whether you are delivering a high impact business presentation, delivering a presentation at a conference or even a sales presentation, here are a few simple tips to ensure that when you are presenting, you create a fantastic first impression.
1. Dress for the occasion
Bearing in mind that the first impression has already begun before you even open your mouth, what you wear really does count.
Two words can address the whole issue of dress code – dress appropriately. By researching your audience you should have a good idea of what “appropriate” is for the occasion. Business casual will usually suffice for those in the IT industry, while in the legal world a full suit and tie...
Two minutes? Twenty seconds? Two seconds? Some psychologists* would suggest that the length is as short as one tenth of a second. Therefore, before you have opened your mouth the audience are beginning to form an impression.
So whether you are delivering a high impact business presentation, delivering a presentation at a conference or even a sales presentation, here are a few simple tips to ensure that when you are presenting, you create a fantastic first impression.
1. Dress for the occasion
Bearing in mind that the first impression has already begun before you even open your mouth, what you wear really does count.
Two words can address the whole issue of dress code – dress appropriately. By researching your audience you should have a good idea of what “appropriate” is for the occasion. Business casual will usually suffice for those in the IT industry, while in the legal world a full suit and tie...
How to lose listeners & alienate your audience!
Oct 06, 2016 |
Presenting tips
“How do I start my presentation?” is a question we are asked all the time. Whether it’s addressing a large audience at a conference or presenting to a small team at work, if you get the opening wrong you could end up losing the audience before you begin!
Below are 5 ways NOT to open your presentation:
1. Wear a long gloomy face
Definitely do not smile. If you do there may be a risk of them thinking you are an open, friendly person and you definitely can’t have that!
2. Tell a filthy inappropriate joke
It’s generally quite difficult to tell a “normal” joke well in front of an audience, let alone a filthy one! Remember not everyone has the same sense of humour as you, and you could end up offending the audience before you start!
3. Apologise for your boring topic…
… and make sure you do it in a dull, monotone voice. This gives them a licence to snooze, check their emails or start tweeting about what a rubbish presenter you are.
4. Ask...
Below are 5 ways NOT to open your presentation:
1. Wear a long gloomy face
Definitely do not smile. If you do there may be a risk of them thinking you are an open, friendly person and you definitely can’t have that!
2. Tell a filthy inappropriate joke
It’s generally quite difficult to tell a “normal” joke well in front of an audience, let alone a filthy one! Remember not everyone has the same sense of humour as you, and you could end up offending the audience before you start!
3. Apologise for your boring topic…
… and make sure you do it in a dull, monotone voice. This gives them a licence to snooze, check their emails or start tweeting about what a rubbish presenter you are.
4. Ask...
How to read a speech and still have an impact – 5 tips to help you do it better.
Jun 28, 2016 |
Presenting tips
You probably know that it is not ideal to read a speech or presentation.
However, there are occasions that for legal or other reasons you may need to read verbatim. These other occasions include potentially emotional situations such as at a wedding or a funeral where we want to do a really good job but fear our emotions might get in the way.
This can be challenging, particularly if it is something you have never had to do before.
This short video gives 5 tips on how you can read from a script and still deliver with impact.
Enjoy!
...
However, there are occasions that for legal or other reasons you may need to read verbatim. These other occasions include potentially emotional situations such as at a wedding or a funeral where we want to do a really good job but fear our emotions might get in the way.
This can be challenging, particularly if it is something you have never had to do before.
This short video gives 5 tips on how you can read from a script and still deliver with impact.
Enjoy!
...
The teacher becomes the student!
May 20, 2016 |
Presenting tips
Last week I delivered a ‘Masterclass in Presentation Delivery’ to members of the Professional Speakers Association North West (PSA NW) in Manchester.
As expected, this was a group of high quality speakers – some with several decades experience of being professional speakers. Even so, they were aware, as am I, that there is always so much more to add to our professional speaking toolkit. Additionally, there is real value in having someone who is not used to seeing you speak, looking at you with fresh eyes and giving frank and specific suggestions on how to make something that is already great, just that tiny bit better.
During the course of the session, while I was doing 1 to 1 video reviews in a separate room, I set them a few tasks. One of these tasks was to come up with a list of their own top presentation tips. I can tell you now – I picked a few nice tips from their list for myself! I had an opportunity to add some more tools to my own toolkit.
Here are just 3...
As expected, this was a group of high quality speakers – some with several decades experience of being professional speakers. Even so, they were aware, as am I, that there is always so much more to add to our professional speaking toolkit. Additionally, there is real value in having someone who is not used to seeing you speak, looking at you with fresh eyes and giving frank and specific suggestions on how to make something that is already great, just that tiny bit better.
During the course of the session, while I was doing 1 to 1 video reviews in a separate room, I set them a few tasks. One of these tasks was to come up with a list of their own top presentation tips. I can tell you now – I picked a few nice tips from their list for myself! I had an opportunity to add some more tools to my own toolkit.
Here are just 3...
On the Question of Questions – how do we prepare effectively?
Mar 31, 2016 |
Presenting tips
Quite often people have fears around the questions and answers session of a presentation. Totally understandable. We can prepare a presentation, structure it well, practice it well – but the questions are always an unknown entity.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next questions and answers session.
FAQ
The FAQs are the frequently asked questions, or the expected questions.
In order to be able to answer these it’s a good idea to go back through your presentation as if you are a member of the audience. Look for areas where somebody not too familiar with your topic could have questions. On the other hand, consider those who know a lot about your question and extra detail they might ask for. If your presentation allows for it timewise, maybe add in the detail to avoid the question. Alternatively, if you do not have enough time for the detail, be prepared for the question arising.
Make out a list of all the questions, prepare answers using examples, facts,...
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next questions and answers session.
FAQ
The FAQs are the frequently asked questions, or the expected questions.
In order to be able to answer these it’s a good idea to go back through your presentation as if you are a member of the audience. Look for areas where somebody not too familiar with your topic could have questions. On the other hand, consider those who know a lot about your question and extra detail they might ask for. If your presentation allows for it timewise, maybe add in the detail to avoid the question. Alternatively, if you do not have enough time for the detail, be prepared for the question arising.
Make out a list of all the questions, prepare answers using examples, facts,...
Teachings from TEDx
Jan 14, 2016 |
Presenting tips
One of my favourite gigs is being a speaker coach for TEDx speakers. Yesterday I was working with a group of speakers for the TEDx Fulbright Dublin event on Saturday 7th February. It’s in Smock Alley theatre and, before you dash off to book tickets, you can’t – it sold out in just 10 minutes! Don’t worry you can catch all the talks on TEDx.com after the event.
Yesterday, we had a group coaching session in the morning and in the afternoon. Today, all of the speakers got a 1 to 1 session. Most of the coaching sessions were face to face – some by Skype. Actually, yesterday I had possibly my most unusual Skype coaching session ever. I was coaching a tap dancer who is a speaker. Part of his talk involves doing some tap dancing. It did feel a bit weird (in a wonderful way!) as I sat in Dublin coaching someone, tap dancing in New York!
My favourite moment in the 2 days was when one of the speakers told me they had chopped their content in half, yes half, foll...
Yesterday, we had a group coaching session in the morning and in the afternoon. Today, all of the speakers got a 1 to 1 session. Most of the coaching sessions were face to face – some by Skype. Actually, yesterday I had possibly my most unusual Skype coaching session ever. I was coaching a tap dancer who is a speaker. Part of his talk involves doing some tap dancing. It did feel a bit weird (in a wonderful way!) as I sat in Dublin coaching someone, tap dancing in New York!
My favourite moment in the 2 days was when one of the speakers told me they had chopped their content in half, yes half, foll...
What can a blender disaster teach you about presenting?
Dec 29, 2015 |
Presenting tips
When people hear what I work at they often ask the question. “What is your best tip”?
My best tip can vary depending on who I am talking to.
For someone who is really daunted by the thoughts of speaking in public it might be something completely different than the tip I would give to someone who is a regular and confident presenter.
However, the one I most frequently find myself sharing is this – it is better to be yourself than to be perfect. Striving for perfection puts incredible pressure on you to present at a level that may currently be beyond your reach. Besides, audiences tend to warm more towards those who are human than those who are perceived as perfect.
In the book 59 seconds, the author Richard Wiseman who is an experimental scientist, gives a really interesting example that backs up this theory.
It relates to 2 people demonstrating how to use a blender. Both of them are very professional and good at demonstrating.
At one stage, one of them gets into a bit of...
My best tip can vary depending on who I am talking to.
For someone who is really daunted by the thoughts of speaking in public it might be something completely different than the tip I would give to someone who is a regular and confident presenter.
However, the one I most frequently find myself sharing is this – it is better to be yourself than to be perfect. Striving for perfection puts incredible pressure on you to present at a level that may currently be beyond your reach. Besides, audiences tend to warm more towards those who are human than those who are perceived as perfect.
In the book 59 seconds, the author Richard Wiseman who is an experimental scientist, gives a really interesting example that backs up this theory.
It relates to 2 people demonstrating how to use a blender. Both of them are very professional and good at demonstrating.
At one stage, one of them gets into a bit of...
Tips from the PSA (Professional Speakers Association) UK and Ireland
As a member of the Professional Speakers Association UK + Ireland – I am fortunate enough to be exposed to fantastic speakers with fantastic tips. The annual annual UK + Ireland conference was held recently in Reading. The speakers were not just from Ireland and the UK but we also had speakers from Canada, USA, South Africa and New Zealand. We were also privileged to have the company of two Global Speaking Federation Presidents, from the USA (NSA – National Speakers Association) and Asia (GSF -Global Speakers Federation). So we were in great company for the 3 days.
Below are tips from some of the speakers – as relevant here as they are in their own countries!
Tip 1 – customise your content
This first tip came from David Newman of doitmarketing.com. As we were in the UK, he had references to cups of tea vs cups of coffee which he would refer to in his native USA.
Several of his slides had obviously been tailored for a UK audience. For instance, he spoke about g...
Below are tips from some of the speakers – as relevant here as they are in their own countries!
Tip 1 – customise your content
This first tip came from David Newman of doitmarketing.com. As we were in the UK, he had references to cups of tea vs cups of coffee which he would refer to in his native USA.
Several of his slides had obviously been tailored for a UK audience. For instance, he spoke about g...