The first phase in the process is choosing a presentation method. Presentation methods vary in that it could be memorized, read, given orally from an outline or notes, or impromptu speaking. Depending upon the length of your presentation, memorizing the entire presentation may not be ideal. The worst case scenario would be that you could forget your lines and make for a very embarrassing situation. Additionally, your audience may ask questions during your delivery, which can potentially throw you off track. The presentation can also be read from a prepared script, however unless you are required to read your presentation verbatim, reading is not a good choice. Reading from a script has the potential to result in an unnatural delivery, which will result in a monotonous, uninspiring presentation. The presentation can be delivered orally with the help of an outline or note cards, which is almost always the easiest and most effective delivery mode. In this method, the outline or notes serve as a guide to help you flow through the speech, while giving you the freedom to speak naturally and spontaneously, to maintain eye contact with your listeners, and to respond and improvise as circumstances warrant. The presentation can also be delivered by way of impromptu speaking without the benefit of any planning or practice.
After you have decided upon a method of delivering your presentation you should practice your delivery. This is the key because the more you practice, the more confidence you will have in yourself and in your material. Prior to the day of your delivery you should ask some such questions of yourself relative to your ability to present you material naturally without using your slides. You should ask as to whether or not you can make a compelling and complete presentation if there is an equipment malfunction and you had to proceed without the slides of a PowerPoint presentation. You should question whether the equipment is working and your ability to operate it. You should also question your timing and flow and your ability to clearly pronounce the words you indeed to use with conviction. Finally, you should question as to whether you have anticipated all likely questions and objections to your material.
After practicing you should prepare to speak and in doing so, visit the venue where you will be presenting or simulate a presentation of the venue. Simulating a performance at the venue allows you to familiarize yourself with the venue and the equipment. In addition to familiarizing yourself with the venue and equipment, practicing allows the presenter to overcome anxiety. There are several techniques, which can be employed to convert anxiety into positive energy.
To convert anxiety into positive energy, the presenter should focus on not being perfect and understand that everyone makes mistakes. The speaker should also prepare more material than necessary as this will give the speaker the aura of invincibility as he/she will feel knowledgeable relative to the subject matter. The speaker should visualize images of a successful presentation; he or she should also remember to breathe. The speaker should have to first sentence memorized and be on the tip of the tongue raring to go. The speaker should be comfortable but dressed appropriately and drink plenty of water ahead of time to hydrate his/her voice. The speaker should concentrate on the message and the audience only, and maintain eye contact with friendly audience members. Finally, the speaker should keep moving as confidence generally builds with momentum.
I was intrigued by this topic because I think that individual are always presenting in every facet of their lives, whether it is sharing a story about the previous night's events or interviewing for employment, we are always consciously or unconsciously giving presentations.
In a Wall Street Journal article title As Perry Slips, Lead Narrow by Patrick O'Connor and Jonathan Weisman discuss how as a result of a poor presentation performance, presidential hopeful Rick Perry has suffered lost of support in his presidential campaign. The article cited Fergus Cullen, a former New Hampshire GOP Chairman as stating "Mr. Perry looked like a fourth-grader when he criticized Mr. Romney, delivering his lines with his head down and voice muffled." Mr. Cullen indicated that when you are in a race with as high as expectations as Mr. Perry had, you have to deliver, with respect to his presentation. The article discussed how Mr. Perry failed to deliver his presentation with conviction and lost credibility as a result of a lack of preparation.
Preparation is the key to effective presentations and a thorough knowledge of the subject matter with anticipation of possible questions and objections can only bolster confidence when the bright lights are turned on.
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