3. Practicing the presentation

The language of the presentation must be simple. Avoid long sentences with complex vocabulary. Use a conventional style. Use frequent preview, summary, transition, and repetition to help your audience follow your presentation: tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them. Remember that 55% of your credibility with an audience comes from your body language, 38% comes from your voice qualities, and only 7% comes from the actual words you use, as it was proved by the psychologist Albert Mehrabian (1968).

Videotaping your rehearsal or recording it on the tape recorder.

Speak at a slightly slower rate than normally used in conversation. Vary both your volume and your rate of speaking. Use periodic pauses and correct diction. Occasional hand and arm gestures are important for adding interest and emphasis. Position your body on the left side of the room (from the audience’s point of view). For most of your presentation, you should stand at a 45-degree angle to the audience. Practice smiling occasionally with the body balanced on both feet. Rest your hands in any natural, quiet position. Your voice and demeanor should reflect professionalism, enthusiasm, and self-confidence.

4. Delivering the presentation

Your clothing is a part of the message you communicate to your audience, so dress appropriately – in comfortable and businesslike attire. Take several deep breaths to clear your mind, walk confidently to the front of the room, take enough time to arrange yourself and your notes, look slowly around you, establish eye contact with several members of the audience, and then, in a loud, clear voice, begin your presentation. You should know your presentation well enough. If your mind actually does go blank, try to keep talking – even if you repeat what you’ve just said. If you can’t jog your memory, simply skip ahead to another part of your presentation that you do remember; then come back later to the part you omitted.

STAGE FRIGHT

For some people making a presentation is accompanied by such symptoms as gasping for air, feeling faint, having shaking hands or legs, feeling the heart beat rapidly, speaking too rapidly and in a high-pitched voice. The best way to minimize such anxieties is to overprepare. The more familiar you are with the content of your speech and the more trial runs you’ve made, the better you’ll be able to concentrate on your delivery. As you begin to speak, look for friendly faces in the crowd, and concentrate on them initially.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

The question-and-answer session is a vital part of your presentation. Normally, you should announce at the beginning of your presentation that you will be happy to answer any questions when you’re through. Also, there is always the possibility that the listener’s question will be answered in the course of your presentation. As you prepare your presentation, anticipate what questions you might expect from the audience. Always listen carefully to the question; repeat it, if necessary, for the benefit of the entire audience; and look at the entire audience as you answer. If you don’t know the answer to a question, freely say so and promise to have the answer within a specific period. Do not risk embarrassing another member of the audience by referring the question to him or her.