What it takes to Dominate your Future Presentations
Are you prepared to stand in front of a person or a room of people and share a message? Public speaking is a common fear – even among the strongest of leaders.
The goal of any presentation is to get your message across clearly and concisely. If you’re nervous and haven’t practiced, your audience can tell instantly costing you one of the four pillars of a powerful first impression – credibility.
* Always be prepared
In my executive coaching, I teach the secret to dominating every presentation is putting in a healthy amount of preparation before you begin. This happens before you ever step foot in front of your audience.
Before you say a word or step foot on stage (however large or small that stage may be), you need to make one thing clear – what is your objective going into the presentation? What do you want out of your presentation? What does your audience want to hear from you?
The answers to these questions are important to nail down regardless of whether it’s an impromptu presentation or put together in a more formal PowerPoint. Without knowing your objective, you can’t deliver a clear and concise message to your audience.
* Your dress matters too
You don’t want to distract your audience by fidgeting with clothes that are too snug. You yourself don’t want to be distracted during your presentation by pulling down your top. Pick an outfit that fits like a glove. You’ll feel better and your audience will be better able to hear what you have to say.
With your outfit in mind, picture you stepping foot in front of your audience. Every quality presentation starts with a strong opening. Decide how you’ll make your entrance. What will it look like? What will you do when you get up there?
* Command confidence
As you begin talking, how will your talk flow? Outline what you plan to say. Use voice control to command confidence from the room. Engage your audience with gestures and eye contact.
* Close strong
When you’re finished, end with a powerful close. This will make you unforgettable.
* Practice, practice, practice.
You’ve done the work to prepare the presentation. Now it’s time to do the work to prepare you.
Do your presentation over and over again, and then do it one more time for good measure. Whether you’re giving a free presentation or a paid one, you need to get up and do it to command the attention of your audience.
I’m not one to stand in my living room talking to myself over and over again. I have done it and I do it but I don’t like it. Still, I continue the practice because if I don’t, I won’t be prepared for when I am standing in front of an audience.
Practice to a point where you know what you’re going to say before you say it. Then, let others listen in. Get feedback. Listen to what a few trusted individuals have to say and accept the constructive feedback you receive.
Preparation and practice. Do these and you’ll command attention from your audience every time you go forward to speak.
Hi Dawn,
Very powerful…thank you so much. So exciting to see your growth over the years. Would love to meet with you sometime in the near future to catch up on everything that has been going on in our lives.
Do you have anytime? I could come up your way as I want to meet with a friend at the Sherralise Group in White Bear Lake anyway. All the best, Terri