- MAKE SOME NOISE!!! Unless you’re at the MTV Music Awards this isn’t much of a crowd pleaser. The key point is this: Know Thy Audience. Your audience should dictate your style, approach, the words you use, etc. If you can’t modify your pitch to your audience you’ll turn people off quicker than you can say…
- Um… The dreaded “um” is so commonplace in our speech we often overlook it. But when you’re standing in front of a crowd, selling ‘em whatever you’re selling ‘em (and don’t be mistaken: you ARE selling) too many “ums” shows a lack of preparedness and comfort.
- Did That Make Sense? Actually, it didn’t. And on top of that, because you had to ask me I’m so disengaged at this point that I’ve started playing a game on my BlackBerry. The key here: Practice. Do it in front of a mirror. Do it in the shower. Do it in front of others. Do it in public. If you present in front of friends and family who aren’t in your field of expertise and they get it, you’ve got yourself a winner.
- What Else Can I Show You? I don’t know, you tell me, that’s why you’re standing up there on the stage and I’m sitting here eagerly in the crowd. Presentations are stories – they need a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t matter the setting, format or style of presentation/conference/meeting. If you’re standing in front of people and telling them something, you’re spinning a story. And that means it needs all the elements of a good one.
- I Guess That’s It. Well is that the end or not? You would know better than me. Blog professionals often talk about ending strongly, and the same holds true when giving a presentation. Even saying, “That’s the end” is kind of lame – your final point (and the entire presentation arc) should make it obvious enough, and you should be able to transition instantly into the next step – be it questions, slinking off the stage, hours of clapping…
So, I guess that’s it.
Kidding.
Public speaking is the sort of thing that makes grown men cry, and buckles people to their knees. We all know it’s daunting, which is all the more reason to master the 4 Ps of Presentations:
- Prepare. You might not need a word-for-word script, but prepare something. Make sure your story is compelling, entertaining and worth listening to.
- Practice. You need to practice. Even veteran presenters practice. Make sure you at least read it out loud a few times to develop a good rhythm.
- Pronunciate. You need to speak clearly. There’s no room for mumbling in a presentation. Let me toss another P in there – Project. Speak clearly and firmly to get your point across.
- Participate. You should always try to engage your audience. The sooner they feel like they’re part of what you’re doing, the better.
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That is so true, I’ve recently attended a very bad presentation at Sydney CeBIT. The company is great achieving great results and the person in front of us probably knew their trade, however the way it was presented made me dislike them instantly and wanting to leave the presentation. Their speaker used most of the above mentioned phrases.
That is so true, I've recently attended a very bad presentation at Sydney CeBIT. The company is great achieving great results and the person in front of us probably knew their trade, however the way it was presented made me dislike them instantly and wanting to leave the presentation. Their speaker used most of the above mentioned phrases.
Excellent tips on public speaking. I do some public speaking from time to time. If your confidence is there, you can do it. This is what helps me tremendously. The 4 Ps is correct. If you got the 4 Ps going on when you are doing a presentation, you will always be on the right track. This great info has put public speaking in perspective. Thanks
Excellent tips on public speaking. I do some public speaking from time to time. If your confidence is there, you can do it. This is what helps me tremendously. The 4 Ps is correct. If you got the 4 Ps going on when you are doing a presentation, you will always be on the right track. This great info has put public speaking in perspective. Thanks
[...] First off I found this great post from Ben Yoskovitz over on the Instigator Blog. Ben gives us 5 phrases never to be uttere… [...]
your post is great. really.
I also agree that once a public speaker takes the stage, he should be able to deliver hence the need for preparation. asking your audience stupid questions expresses uncertain and it is never good. good points.
Talk about a lost art. Even with the advent of video tutorials and the fact that people like the amateurish feel to videos it is always nicer to hear it said as if the person really does know what they are talking about and aren't making it up as they go along. Preparation is key for sure and I'd apply that rule to anything. Get ready and practice. Um I hate, I'd prefer a pause than an um or ah. Oh and kep it relevant to topic. Going off topic feels like a waste of time, and can get confusing.
Talk about a lost art. Even with the advent of video tutorials and the fact that people like the amateurish feel to videos it is always nicer to hear it said as if the person really does know what they are talking about and aren't making it up as they go along. Preparation is key for sure and I'd apply that rule to anything. Get ready and practice. Um I hate, I'd prefer a pause than an um or ah. Oh and kep it relevant to topic. Going off topic feels like a waste of time, and can get confusing.
You should always try to engage your audience. The sooner they feel like they’re part of what you’re doing, the better
xxsxxs
Wow, I make these mistakes too. Thanks.
Wow, I make these mistakes too. Thanks.
Wow, I make these mistakes too. Thanks.
[...] Read more.Source: Instigator Blog [...]
[...] in Ben Yoskovitz’s article 5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation he suggests that we should master the 4 P’s of [...]