BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES, INC. Effective Presentations & Public Speaking

OBJECTIVES Simple Truths Purpose Be Confident Know Yourself Know Your Audience Communication Techniques Best Practices

Simple Truths Knowledge workers make their living by  Analyzing  Writing  Speaking That all-important first impression  Appearance  Speech

Speaking is… Speaking is anxiety producing Speaking is an art Speaking is a performance art; its skills must be practiced so they become habits

Purpose Why are you having this class? What facts need to be covered? What information will be covered? What teaching methods will you use?  Visual aides  Remember a “picture can be worth a thousand words”  Handouts  Set up of the room

Be Confident Practice, Practice, Practice Nip nervousness in the bud Be knowledgeable Be competent Be confident Know you are the best person to be giving this presentation Distinguish between a “speech” and a “presentation or facilitation”

Know Yourself What you wear Know what you can do Know what you can not do Everyone's style is a different Don’t compare to others Find your own unique style

Know your audience Who are they? How many? Anticipate their questions and comments Watch your volume and tone Check in to see if your style is matching the audiences style

Communication Techniques The Elements  Verbal  Vocal  Visual Pauses Breathing Gestures Inflection

The Elements Verbal Vocal Visual

Verbal Jargon Grammar Examples Trigger Words

Vocal Pace Yourself Increase volume appropriately Let your voice resonate Vary your pitch Pause !!!!!

Visual Stance  Feet planted  Body erect Gestures must:  appear spontaneous  support your message  not distract participants

Pauses Pauses are important to listeners  Time to process the previous information  Opportunity to resynchronize with presenter’s train of thought Pauses are important to speakers  Taking stock – assessing progress  Regaining breath control

Breathing Diaphragm breathing Breath control  Volume  Pressure Proper breathing reduces anxiety symptoms

Gestures Smile Eyes Movement Arms and Hands

Best Practices Be “a little” funny Be “a little” dramatic Be interesting Use stories when possible Know pertinent facts and figures Maintain eye contact with participants on all areas of the room

Conclusion Leave the audience wanting more Leave the audience feeling good that they attended the class Read the clues of the audience to know when to end Keep it short Answer as many questions as possible Leave resources

BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES, INC. Effective Presentations & Public Speaking