Stand Up and Speak

This presentation skills article appeared in the public speaking magazine - MyBusiness.

Once you have gained your audiences attention, outline where it is that you are taking them with your presentation.  This will give the audience a direction to follow which will help keep their attention.

Eye contact is very important when giving a presentation.  Even when speaking to a large audience, look people in the eye.  This will bring them into what you are saying.  This is vital for building rapport and keeping the audience with you.  If you are not making eye contact or simply looking above their heads in a vague manner, your audience will spot it and you will lose credibility.

It is also good to use body language.  After all, you can only watch a radio for so long!  Body language simply means movement.  This movement may be around the stage or on the spot.  It should not be over the top or the audience will focus on it and not your speech. 

To gain impact with your presentation, try silence.  Leaving a pregnant pause after a particular point will allow the audience to ponder what you have just said.  About 3-4 seconds should be enough.  Beware though, being silent on stage is harder than it seems!

If possible, leave the audience wanting more.  Don’t go over everything in so much detail that you answer all the questions before they are asked.  Leaving them dangling will increase contact after the presentation.

Finally, the type of presentation will dictate whether you sit or stand.  If presenting to the Bank manager in their office, it would be unwise to stand.  People are territorial and maybe intimidated by this.  However, if presenting at your office with the Board and Bank present, standing may give the authority and respect to your audience that they deserve.

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