“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” These words of Benjamin Franklin, writer, statesman, diplomat and political philosopher, can be applied to many areas of life. Whether you think of the personal such as organising a holiday or professional such as creating a strategy, planning is crucial. And so it is with speaking and presenting.
Here are five key tips to think about to help get you started.
1. Your chosen topic
Once you’ve chosen your topic, or it’s been chosen for you, consider what material, research and resources you will need to access, read, watch, digest and make notes on. You will want to feel as fully conversant and up to date with your material as is realistically possible.
2. Your audience
Find out as much as you can about your audience. What do they know about the topic already or is it new to them, or will it vary across the audience? What is the demographic of the audience and how will it affect what you say? What terminology will be familiar and when will you need to explain it?
3. Your objectives
What do you want to achieve as a result of what you say? What do you want to achieve as a result of what you say? eg: to demonstrate your knowledge, fit in, stand out, be liked, convince, surprise, to persuade, to inform, to sell an idea or product, to win respect? What do you want your listeners to think, feel, say and/or do once you finish presenting? How will you present this cogently in your call to action at the end?
4. Give it a framework
A clear structure is vital for you and your audience, so you have a clear direction, and they can follow. Use the Tell ‘em theory. Give it an introduction (tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em), a middle (tell ‘em) and a brief summing up and conclusion (tell ‘em what you’ve told ‘em) & call them to action, linked to your objectives.
5. Practise and time it
Now that you’ve prepared it, practise aloud and time it.
Finally, don’t forget to make a list of likely questions and comments from the audience so that you can think in advance how you’d answer them. Rather like a game of chess, preparation and anticipation will put you at an advantage and greatly increase your confidence.
Good preparation along with a range of practical strategies determined in advance, will go a long way towards enhancing your confidence with public speaking and presentations.
Would you an extra bit of personalised support and guidance? 1-2-1 Coaching can help you prepare, structure, and deliver with confidence. I also offer you feedback to make the changes you choose, and so present on the day with even greater confidence.
Contact me via my email or website and I will aim to reply within 24 hours.
