A little more than 70% of the people I present to across the world will also be giving public presentations to others at some point this year.
Most of them will become the focus of pity from an audience. Those that aren’t, usually end up disliked more than when they got up in front of the group.
Why?
Because no one has shown them how to be an excellent presenter.
Today I want to give you some tips and strategies along with a complete mindset that will boost your success in front of an audience.
Speaker Preparation
About 1/3 of all problems in presenting to an audience come down to preparation in one way or another.
Thorough preparation and proper presentation are prime factors.
First and foremost, there always should be a good reason for making a presentation or “giving a speech.”
Your talk must be timely. Too many speeches not only are poorly planned but also are lacking in purpose. They bore the audience and often leave them wondering what you were thinking...
If you have a choice about what you are going to present, think in terms of “timely.” Select a timely subject, one of current public concern; learn all you can about it, for persuasively communicating knowledge that can be used by another, is power.
Speaker Mastery
Until you master your subject you cannot master your audience, for a speaker deep in doubt carries no conviction. He not only must believe in the idea he seeks to sell, but he must present it logically.
I’ve been in audiences where speakers read straight from a document...for the entire speech.
I don’t go to these events any more. It’s mind boggling to think that ANYONE would be interested in listening to someone read to them other than Garrison Keillor or their own child...and sometimes not even the child....
Mastery means you know your subject cold.
Now don’t confuse this with having a cheat sheet handy. The cheat sheet contains 10-15 WORDS on it that will get you back on track.
I have a confession. Since I was very young I’ve suffered from Panic Disorder. Panic Disorder for the purpose of this article is like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. About once each year, I’ll have a panic attack on stage, live, in person, in front of 400 (or more) people.
When something like that happens, the body goes into fight/flight and prefers not to communicate or think. A panic attack can last 15-30 minutes and then it goes....but those minutes are like hours.
Back in 1987, a big part of the reason I wanted to be in public speaking was BECAUSE I had panic disorder and I knew the only way to truly fight the fears and feelings that come with panic attacks, was to put myself in the most vulnerable position of all.
In ’87, I was having 2-4 panic attacks per day. Now I have 2-4 per year. Life changes when you face your greatest fears.....
When you know your material and know it like your biography, even a panic attack can only side track you for a few moments. Because you know the material so well, you simply pull out your cheat sheet (or look up on the flip chart) and see where you “want to go next.”
I keep my 15 word cheat sheet, which I make the night before I present, in my coat pocket. I pull it out perhaps once per year.
Mastery allows you to do one thing when you are on stage. Bond with your audience.
Nothing matters more than truly caring about your audience, being with them, being vulnerable with them. Being open and honest with them. Letting them get to know you in story and sharing what you have with them so they go home with a list of “take-aways” a mile long.
