Andrew Rondeau

Andrew is the owner of this website and has been a Leader, Manager, Coach and Consultant for the last twenty-five years.

Public Speaking – How To Make Your Next Presentation The Best Ever

By Andrew Rondeau
Published 11/9/2008

As we know, Public Speaking causes more worry, fear and sleepless nights than almost anything else.

And remember, Public Speaking is performing and you are only as good as your last show.

The actual talking is only a small part of the problem.

You have to wrestle with visual aids, get the tone of your voice correct, ensure you have impacting body language and handle that dreaded question you have not prepared for.

Yet getting it right can be easy…if you ignore all the Public Speaking Rules

When you Publicly Present, what are you actually trying to do?

Simply communicate clearly with some passion and commitment. That’s it. Something you probably achieve every time you open your mouth.

When you present you are using skills you have been using since you were a child.

Your real fear is embedded in your own mind.

Here are a few ideas that will help tremendously:

Have you attended and completed a Public Speaking course?

Yes?

Now, forget and throw away every thing that you learned.

Why?

Because being a great Public Speaker means breaking some of the rules. And on courses you are normally only taught the rules.

So, if you want to put your hands in your pockets, do it.

If you have those little bits of cards you are holding on to for comfort, throw them away.

If you are stuck behind the podium, get out front; we want to see all of you, top to toe.

So what should you do to make your presentations stand-out?

Walk onto the stage with keenness. Add an extra bit of energy in your step. As you are walking, it’s OK to talk as well – if it feels natural for you.

And what about eye contact, I hear you say.

Have eye contact – look around the room, at the whole audience.

Just don’t stare at the audience like some mad axe murderer.

Do mad axe murderers stare? Maybe they don’t, but you know what I mean.

PowerPoint – a great tool for insomniacs

I have very rarely seen PowerPoint used well. People either just use text (which can hardly be seen), have things flying in, out and all over the place or have the same old boring images others have used – all of which is very distracting and can turn off your audience or actually send them to sleep.

Can you be scruffy or in disarray when you Public Speak?

No! Well I don’t think so. If you look shabby, the audience will think your presentation is also shabby.

Cartoon Ties Make A Huge Difference…

If your pockets are bulging with rubbish or your tie is down by your navel (or your tie is meticulously tied but it’s a cartoon one!) or your trousers are too short or your shoes are muddy, it will distract the audience. And that means they are not listening to you.

Do your best to look well dressed and well groomed.

Use these two most important points…and NOTHING will stop you getting on the stage and Publicly Speaking

1 .Don’t be perfect. Perfect presentations are D-U-L-L, dull.

Making a small mistake and laughing along with the audience makes you come across as human and further engages you with the audience.

2. Put passion into your message. That way you will rarely go wrong.

The best presenters do not use slides or glossy visual aids.

The best presenters enthuse and all that enthusiasm has to come from you.

So throw away the Public Speaking rulebook, get on that stage and wow the audience.

What are you waiting for?

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2 Responses to "Public Speaking – How To Make Your Next Presentation The Best Ever"

Lorraine Cohen

said this on 09 Nov 2008 8:12:42 PM EDT

Great post Andrew

I've used many of the tips you recommend with great success. I'm a hands-on person and I love engaging the audience in co-creating the presentation rather than delivering a lecture. I find it's a lot more fun and folks enjoy having a personal experience!

Cheers,
Lorraine