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Effective Presentation Pointers

Sometimes It's What You Don’t Do

by

David W. Richardson, CSP 

1.                  Don't memorize your presentation.  Have you ever heard a presentation that was completely memorized?  It probably sounded very dull and uninteresting.  It's difficult enough to get your message across, but when you're trying to remember word for word it's impossible. 

2.                  Don't read your presentation.  There are very few people who are capable of reading a presentation.  Some of those might be Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, or Peter Jennings.  But that's their job and they're good at it.  By reading your presentation, you have a tendency to speak in a monotone voice and lose all genuine eye contact with your audience. 

3.                  Don't write your presentation.  When you write the presentation word for word, you will have a great tendency to want to read it, or worse yet, try to memorize it.  If you know your subject and have a real passion for it, simply jot down a few key points.  Rehearse with those notes, and you will deliver a very strong speech. 

4.                  Don't eat a big meal just before a speech.  Doing so will cause the blood and oxygen in your body to focus on the stomach as the digestion process begins.  Speeches are tough enough as it is, and you want that powerful blood and oxygen flowing to your brain. 

Murphy's Law . . . anything that can go wrong will go wrong.  And when it comes to delivering a presentation, Murphy was an optimist.  Success is created not only by what you do, but also by what you don't do. 

Got an important presentation coming up?  Need some advice?  Call Dave at 480-451-8808 for a free twenty-minute consultation.