Presentation What Really Matters

The Top Ten Fears in America . Speaking in public Snakes Confined spaces Heights Spiders Tunnels & bridges Crowds Public transportation (especially planes) Storms Water (as in swimming & drowning, not drinking)

Public Speaking: What’s the Deal? Why do we fear public speaking? Seinfeld: The list of fears “Suggests that at a funeral, the person giving the eulogy would rather be in the box.”

So, Let’s Ease the Stress What Makes an Excellent Presenter? Physical Skills Emotional/Social Skills Effective Content

Physical Skills Eye Contact: Makes you more believable, more trustworthy. Hands in the pockets: Don’t do it! Just a distraction. Gestures: Less is more. Again, this is a distraction from what you are actually saying.

Emotional/Social Skills Make your audience comfortable: This is your FIRST priority. Connect with them: Let them know that whatever you are speaking about has application for their lives. No podium! Make Yourself Comfortable: Know what you are saying and why!

Effective Content Be Passionate: find something in what you are speaking about that is important to you! Give them only NECESSARY background Information: Don’t bog them down with too much history. Know your sources: Have outside information AND personal experience to back up what you are saying!