Presentation Skills

10 Keypoint in making a Good Presentation~

1) Dress Smartly
Don't let our appearance distract from what we are saying. 


2) Focus on our Audience's Needs
Our presentation needs to be built around what our audience is going to get out of the presentation.
As we prepare the presentation, try to make it easy for audience to understand and always need to bear in mind what the audience needs and wants to know. While we are giving the presentation, we also need to remain focused on our audience's response and react to.


3) Speak Clearly
Speak firmly and confidently as this makes you sound in control. Don't talk in a monotone the whole time. Lift your head up and address your words to someone near the back of audience. If you think people at the back can't hear, ask them.


4) Slow down
You are likely to speed up and raise the pitch of your voice when nervous. Consciously slow our speech down and add pauses for emphasis. Give the audience time to absorb each point.


5) Smile
Don't hunch up and shuffle our feet. Have an upright posture. Try to appear confident and enthusiastic.


6) Be Prepared
It can be very helpful to practice at home in front of mirror. We can also record our presentation and play it back to ourself. Don't judge ourself harshly when we replay it but always notice our bad points and  not the good when hearing or seeing the recording. Time how long our talk takes. Run through the talks a few times with some friends.  


7) Don't read
Don't read out our talk, as this sounds boring and stilted, but refer to brief noted jotted down on small postcard sized pieces of card. Don't look at our notes too much as this suggests in security and will prevent us making eye contact with the audience.


8) Tell stories
Use personal examples and stories in our speech whenever possible. Make sure our stories help to emphasize or support our point. Stories will help us to pay attention and also help us to remember things.


9) Walk around a little and gesture with our hands
Bad presenters keep their hands on the podium or in pockets! Don't stand in one place glued to the spot hiding behind the podium. Good presenters will walk from side to side and look at different parts of the audience.


10) Come early, Really early
Don't fumble with powerpoint or hooking up a projector when people are waiting for us to speak. Come early, scope out the room, run through our slideshow and make sure there won't be any glitches. Preparation can do a lot to remove our speaking anxiety.

Examples of Good Presentation:

1. http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_levitin_how_to_stay_calm_when_you_know_you_ll_be_stressed

2. https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_uglow_an_internet_without_screens_might_look_like_this#t-153224

References:

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/present/presentation-tips.html
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/presentationskills.htm
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/18-tips-for-killer-presentations.html
http://www.ljlseminars.com/elements.htm