2. THE COMMUNICATION GROUP
BASICS OF
PUBLIC SPEAKING
PRESENTING TO YOUR
AUDIENCE
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3. THE COMMUNICATION GROUP
MY STORY Most lecturers and ―gurus‖ on the subject
I speak a lot and am always surprised when hear wouldbecontent torattle off helpful directives on the
thepresentation was of interest. I know Iam not topic, eachone being aderivation of the same theme.
afraid ofpublic speaking, and I know Iam ―It is the synergy of 1) content, 2) design and 3)
passionate aboutsubjects other people are delivery that makes a presentation,‖ they would say.
curious about too. However, Inever for one Yes, that‘s helpful… but it‘s vague and I feel does not
minute assume my presentations will be answer the question in a way one can truly learn
from.There is no checklist for you to follow that would
‗powerful‘ – I always assume people are busy prepare you for every situation. What will work in
and haveshort attention spans due to current some instances will not work in others. But to truly
day-to-day culture.Therefore, I‘ve been thinking deliver a powerful presentation I know I need to
quite a lot about how onegives a powerful understand the following:
presentation. 1. Design your presentation ‘tools‘-i.e.
PowerPointor Keynote-well. There is no
What is the definition of a ‗powerful need to have dull slides.
presentation?‘ 2. Preface well. Tell your audience what you
hope they will get out of it right up front.
3. Know your objectives. If you don‘t
In my eyes, it‘s when a crowd gathers after the understand what you‘re talking about then
presentation toask more questions. And you it‘s doubtful anyone else will.
are invitedto give the samespeech elsewhere 4. Be truthful. Grandiosity ends up being
boring and not factual.
by someone in theaudience or the sponsorsof
the event.
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4. THE COMMUNICATION GROUP
5. Know your audience. What sorts of people will 8. Know your desired outcome. What do you
be attending the presentation? What are their wish to parlay? And what is the desired take-
learning styles and levels of understanding on away? What do you want the attendees to
the topic? learn? A successful presentation always
6. Know how you‘re planning on arriving from leaves the audience wanting to know more.
point A to point D to avoid waffling. 9. Know your fellow presenters. What are their
Rehearsing helps a lot. Try it, and do this with areas of expertise, and in what ways could
people you respect and who are able to give they bolster your argument?
you objective/constructive criticism. Time 10. Anticipate the difficult questions. Make a list of
yourself and edit your slides to the desired the most difficult, controversial questions that
time slot. This doesn‘t mean you should could be asked of you. Make sure you can
become ‗staged‘ in your presentation. answer them clearly and effectively.
7. Your content should be engaging and 11. Wear something you feel fabulous in. It helps.
interesting, certainly, but it‘s just as important Trust me.
that the steps you take in communicating your 12. Feel confident in being spontaneous.
message be clear and unambiguous.
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5. THE COMMUNICATION GROUP
13. Don‘t be pedantic. You have know idea how
many people in your audience already know
this subject and/or know it better than you.
You are merely a good communicator of
information.
14. And don‘t bang on too long. No-one is
interested in dullards.
15. And, have fun for goodnesssake. Life is short.
For all of us.Engaging the
audience, thatintangible fourth step
after―content, design, anddelivery,‖ is alot
easier to do if you understandthe above.
The readiness is all—well, at leastall you have
control over. The resthappens during the
presentationitself and unfolds differently each
time, depending on yourpersonality, your
confidence level,and your accessibility as a
publicspeaker.
Enjoy and good luck.
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6. CONTACT
THE COMMUNICATION GROUP
131 Greene Street Suite 3b
New York City, NY 10012
NY o: 646-873-7664
SF o: 415-864-1431
Twitter: @TCGagency
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Social Presence: http://socialpresence.me
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