How to improve presentation / public speaking confidence
Discussion
Not really an issue or something I struggle with too much out of work but my presentation skills and general speaking in front of more than a few people is getting worse! I need to get more practice and more comfortable with it.
Wondering if anyone else has found this and what they did to improve.
Thanks
Wondering if anyone else has found this and what they did to improve.
Thanks
It’s mostly something you pick up by doing over and over. At our place they send managers on a RADA course (if they’re client facing)
https://www.radabusiness.com
https://www.radabusiness.com
Try https://www.toastmasters.org/about/all-about-toast...
Yorkshire page: https://toastmasterclub.org/portal.php?page=1&...
Yorkshire page: https://toastmasterclub.org/portal.php?page=1&...
Edited by MrsMiggins on Sunday 3rd October 08:53
Main things are:
Many presentations I’m part of aren’t as structured as how people would imagine a “presentation” but more of a two way thing, us initiating the start of a presentation but then responding to questions and keeping it flowing back and forth, so not as much chance to rehearse that particular presentation.
Main obstructions are nerves coming across and making it difficult / awkward and not getting the point across clearly. I know the subject matter inside and out and can communicate well to small groups / larger groups on Teams, but for example meeting a new client at their offices and presenting then the nerves take over because I want to deliver the best I can.
I need to do more of it but stuck in a negative downward cycle at the moment.
I’ve been best man quite a few times and done well at that type of thing (felt the nerves but overcome them) but work is a different type of pressure.
Many presentations I’m part of aren’t as structured as how people would imagine a “presentation” but more of a two way thing, us initiating the start of a presentation but then responding to questions and keeping it flowing back and forth, so not as much chance to rehearse that particular presentation.
Main obstructions are nerves coming across and making it difficult / awkward and not getting the point across clearly. I know the subject matter inside and out and can communicate well to small groups / larger groups on Teams, but for example meeting a new client at their offices and presenting then the nerves take over because I want to deliver the best I can.
I need to do more of it but stuck in a negative downward cycle at the moment.
I’ve been best man quite a few times and done well at that type of thing (felt the nerves but overcome them) but work is a different type of pressure.
Hmm. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I've done techie seminars at company events, spent a bit of time as a trainer, and regularly pitch proposals to customers, so I've been through quite a bit of it.
Nerves is tricky - I absolutely get that. For me getting over them was a combination of remembering that I know what I'm on about, and - initially - making a decision to enjoy it. Like the moment before you do a bungie jump, or that "wheeeee!" feeling on a rollercoaster. The other bit that helped was remembering that the audience wants you to succeed.
Responding to questions got easier for me when I realised that "I don't know, but I'll find out" is actually a perfectly good answer, as long as you write down the question and do go and find out.
I prefer free-flowing stuff to anything scripted. I make that a bit easier on myself in how I prepare any slides - I have as few words on as possible, instead using picture prompts and maybe four bullets with up to four words on each. That means you don't get stuck reading your slides out to people who've already read them, the audience can't tell if you forgot something, and you've got freedom to change what you say depending on the audience's level and reaction. I once did a presentation at an engineering council, only it turned out the audience were all catering and event managers. Just having pictures and titles meant I could really change the presentation to suit them a bit better.
Hopefully some of that is helpful.
Nerves is tricky - I absolutely get that. For me getting over them was a combination of remembering that I know what I'm on about, and - initially - making a decision to enjoy it. Like the moment before you do a bungie jump, or that "wheeeee!" feeling on a rollercoaster. The other bit that helped was remembering that the audience wants you to succeed.
Responding to questions got easier for me when I realised that "I don't know, but I'll find out" is actually a perfectly good answer, as long as you write down the question and do go and find out.
I prefer free-flowing stuff to anything scripted. I make that a bit easier on myself in how I prepare any slides - I have as few words on as possible, instead using picture prompts and maybe four bullets with up to four words on each. That means you don't get stuck reading your slides out to people who've already read them, the audience can't tell if you forgot something, and you've got freedom to change what you say depending on the audience's level and reaction. I once did a presentation at an engineering council, only it turned out the audience were all catering and event managers. Just having pictures and titles meant I could really change the presentation to suit them a bit better.
Hopefully some of that is helpful.
I do a little presentation training and there's a few things I would place as a priority....
1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
StevieBee said:
I do a little presentation training and there's a few things I would place as a priority....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
No.1 point. 2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
ONLY use powerpoint to help illustrate with graphics/pictures/graphs what you are saying. It is not your script it's your supporting actor.
I did some very effective presentation training with a London based company run by actors. We were taught very strongly not to use powerpoint (in fact it was banned), but to present with only a single "poster". Notes were not allowed. You were not taught to script the presentation word for word as you would flap trying to remember it, but to have a "story". Stories are always personal & easy to remember, because the key parts of most stories are very simple. The rest is just personal embelishment. Done this way the presentation is more relaxed, less stilted, more conversational, yet can still retain the strong central message.
- Know your message
- Know what you want your audience to feel, then think, then do.
Oh & avoid humour. Most people are crap at it.
GT03ROB said:
Oh & avoid humour. Most people are crap at it.
I once gave a presentation as part of a UK Trade and Investment thing in Bucharest. Subject was awareness raising and communications. There was a section of my talk where I explained the power of branding and how you can re-position brands in the minds of the audience using Car Makes as an example, Skoda in particular.I explained that Skoda was once seen as rubbish brand that spawned many jokes - then proceeded to share some of these jokes with the audience. What do you call a Skoda with twin exhaust pipes? A wheelbarrow. Bloke walks into to a car spares store and says "have you got a fan belt for a Skoda?" Shop keeper says "OK - seems like a fair swap".....
Nothing! Not even a titter. Turns out that Skoda was an aspirational brand in Romania!]]
So, yes. Avoid humour (or know your audience!)
Gareth Cheeseman - master presenter: Scroll to 2.28:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3doQn83mD8
StevieBee said:
I once gave a presentation as part of a UK Trade and Investment thing in Bucharest. Subject was awareness raising and communications. There was a section of my talk where I explained the power of branding and how you can re-position brands in the minds of the audience using Car Makes as an example, Skoda in particular.
I explained that Skoda was once seen as rubbish brand that spawned many jokes - then proceeded to share some of these jokes with the audience. What do you call a Skoda with twin exhaust pipes? A wheelbarrow. Bloke walks into to a car spares store and says "have you got a fan belt for a Skoda?" Shop keeper says "OK - seems like a fair swap".....
Nothing! Not even a titter. Turns out that Skoda was an aspirational brand in Romania!]]
So, yes. Avoid humour (or know your audience!)
Gareth Cheeseman - master presenter: Scroll to 2.28:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3doQn83mD8
Oh man, awkward ! I explained that Skoda was once seen as rubbish brand that spawned many jokes - then proceeded to share some of these jokes with the audience. What do you call a Skoda with twin exhaust pipes? A wheelbarrow. Bloke walks into to a car spares store and says "have you got a fan belt for a Skoda?" Shop keeper says "OK - seems like a fair swap".....
Nothing! Not even a titter. Turns out that Skoda was an aspirational brand in Romania!]]
So, yes. Avoid humour (or know your audience!)
Gareth Cheeseman - master presenter: Scroll to 2.28:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3doQn83mD8
StevieBee said:
I do a little presentation training and there's a few things I would place as a priority....
1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
This.1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
I'm an introvert so should hate presenting. I don't because I do the above, including the ego bit. I know I can present well, so I do!
Also it's worth remembering that most people come across much better than they imagine.
98elise said:
StevieBee said:
I do a little presentation training and there's a few things I would place as a priority....
1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
This.1: Only speak about something you know really, really well. Look at the subject and focus on those parts that you are fully familiar with. This not only conveys to your audience that you have confidence in the subject, but also helps with the second which is.....
2: Don't speak from notes. Ideally, don't even have notes with you. If you're using a Power Point presentation, this provides your prompts. This looks impressive to the audience because it is impressive. It also means you're talking to the audience not to the notes.
3. Develop an ego - not a big one, still be humble, but also be self confident in how you present yourself to the audience.
As for questions, think of the three worst questions you could get asked - those questions you hope never arise and develop and answer to them. If they get asked, you can respond. If they don't, everything else will be a breeze.
Also, don't over use Power Points - use as little wording as you can and use images more than words if at all possible.
I'm an introvert so should hate presenting. I don't because I do the above, including the ego bit. I know I can present well, so I do!
Also it's worth remembering that most people come across much better than they imagine.
If i'm off form that day and the character has gone missing, well, car crash
.I find knowing your subject the biggest confidence builder and being enthusiastic crosses over to grab the audiences attention.
I imagine I'm presenting to a mate in the middle and everyone else can't see or hear me. Until one asks a question of course...
I also don't try to be funny, that never works. All the laughs I got were unexpected, especially the zip one
I imagine I'm presenting to a mate in the middle and everyone else can't see or hear me. Until one asks a question of course...
I also don't try to be funny, that never works. All the laughs I got were unexpected, especially the zip one
Remember how you say it and the way you say it is as important as what you say. So practise is really important for all three - what is your body language, are you using expression, what are your key messages?
The other thing for me is to start with impact, not "I'll just share my screen as I have some slides to talk to you about today." There's some good youtube videos on starting with impact that I found helpful.
The other thing for me is to start with impact, not "I'll just share my screen as I have some slides to talk to you about today." There's some good youtube videos on starting with impact that I found helpful.
I agree with a lot of the above comments. I struggled at the beginning of a job where I had to speak and present frequently.
The biggest thing that helped me was videoing myself presenting and just talking openly about a subject with no screens. It helped me identify things I thought were poor with my presentation and speaking. When I practiced in future having changed my style and correct bad habits, I grew more confident knowing that if I was happy watching myself back without many criticisms (me being my own biggest critic) then other people would be, too.
Knowing your subject is the most important part, nothing worse than trying to wing your way through something you know little about - especially if you're already nervous.
Developing a small ego to radiate confidence is a must, I learnt after a while that if you're speaking you're typically the person expected to know about the subject and people buy into this and want to hear what you have to say.
Other things I always tried to remember were to be concise, not to ramble, to stop and breathe, have a sip of water etc and just take your time.
The biggest thing that helped me was videoing myself presenting and just talking openly about a subject with no screens. It helped me identify things I thought were poor with my presentation and speaking. When I practiced in future having changed my style and correct bad habits, I grew more confident knowing that if I was happy watching myself back without many criticisms (me being my own biggest critic) then other people would be, too.
Knowing your subject is the most important part, nothing worse than trying to wing your way through something you know little about - especially if you're already nervous.
Developing a small ego to radiate confidence is a must, I learnt after a while that if you're speaking you're typically the person expected to know about the subject and people buy into this and want to hear what you have to say.
Other things I always tried to remember were to be concise, not to ramble, to stop and breathe, have a sip of water etc and just take your time.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff