Public Speaking - Three Surprising Tips to Improve Your Presentations

By Lisa Braithwaite

You've all heard the advice to get to know your audience, make eye contact, don't say "um," check your equipment, and similar public speaking techniques to make your presentations as powerful as they can be. These are great tips, and you'll hear them over and over, but I've got some lesser-known suggestions for you today that will benefit you and your audience as much as more common advice.

Pointer 1: Take your medications

As an allergy sufferer, I can tell you that I am not at my best when giving a talk through sniffles and itchy eyes. Even if I'm not having a particular allergic day, I will be sure to take my prescription medication before I speak, to ensure that I don't have a sudden unexpected reaction.

If your nervousness goes to your gut, by all means take your upset stomach medication. If you get tension headaches, head them off at the pass with your favorite pain reliever. Do what it takes to avoid the physical distractions that will disrupt your performance and keep you from doing your best.

One caveat to this advice: Avoid psychiatric anti-anxiety medications before speaking; you will not be as sharp as you could be. There are non-pharmaceutical ways of dealing with nervousness and anxiety that will not interfere with your ability to think on your feet and interact with your audience.

Pointer 2: Start on time

How many times have you arrived on time for a presentation, even early, and ended up sitting there for an extra fifteen minutes while stragglers made their way to the seats in the back of the room? Then, because the presentation started late, it ends late, but you've had to miss the end because you have other commitments on your schedule.

Waiting for latecomers rewards latecomers, but it punishes those who were on time for your presentation. Latecomers may be a distraction when then enter the room after the presentation has started, but what's worse: a little disruption by laggards or being responsible for annoying the half of your audience who made the effort to be on time and now might miss the end if you go over?

Take charge of the room, take charge of your time, and make the decision to reward the people who are committed and punctual.

Pointer 3: Give the end of your sentences the same energy you give to the beginning of your sentences

This is a simple tool but an effective one. Some people's voices trail off at the ends of sentences, making it hard to hear the last few words they've said. As a speaker, trailing off at the ends of sentences means that your audience might miss something important. Make sure you are emphasizing both ends of your sentences, and your audience will never miss a crucial point or valuable tip!

Stick with the tried-and-true public speaking advice you've heard before, but in addition, try adding these three tricks to your bag the next time you have a speaking engagement. See if you don't feel more confident and pulled together on stage and more successful in connecting with the audience.

Lisa Braithwaite works with individuals to uncover their challenges and build their strengths in presenting themselves confidently as speakers. Find your voice with public speaking coaching! Sign up for the Presentation Pointers newsletter or a free consultation at http://www.coachlisab.com And don't miss the Speak Schmeak blog.

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Practice Confidence

By Ty Boyd

Practice, as you have heard me say, doesn't make perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Practice makes confidence. The better you know your material, the more confidence you have and the better the presentation ultimately is.

Judy Friedt, a longtime client from insurance company The Westfield Group, reminded me of this with her note to us. I'll let her tell the story:

"A few years ago, you held your first class here at Westfield. I was in that class. The first day, I was nervous and did a lot of "uhs and ums." By the end of the class, the non-words were gone and I was a lot more confident. I have read all of your newsletters and followed the information that you have presented. I am proud to tell you that I just got back from Las Vegas where I attended CA World sponsored by Computer Associates. Not only did I attend, but I actually did a presentation!

There were about 35 people in the room for my presentation. I got up there, took a deep breath and let it go. I did a great job (if I must say so) and didn't even have to look at my notes. I knew my information and I presented it. I had practiced and practiced.

My husband (one of my best critics) was in the audience and he was amazed. Even he said I did a great job. I didn't fumble for words or use any non-words. The practice paid off.

I want to thank you for giving me not only the tools to do the public speaking but the courage to actually get out there and do it. I look forward to doing more."

So, take Judy's advice: practice. Confidence - and a great presentation - will follow.

Ty Boyd, CEO of Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, is in the Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Speakers Hall of Fame. He has taught public speaking and presentation skills to Fortune 1000 executives in more than 40 countries. Zipline is Ty's award-winning monthly enewsletter.

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Develop the Power of Presence to Compel Attention When You Speak

By Sandra Zimmer

"True joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way. Of course, it's no accident that things are more likely to go your way when you stop worrying about whether you're going to win or lose and focus your full attention on what's happening right this moment."
Phil Jackson, coach of nine NBA champion teams

When you speak to others, do you make a connection and hold their rapt attention? Develop the power of presence to help you compel the attention of others. When you are present, you are able to hold the focus of attention of others easily.

Often, when people speak in front of others, their attention is split so that their presence is not strong enough to hold attention. While trying to deliver an important message, you may have had the experience of feeling physically tense, experiencing emotional anxiety and thinking you may not say it right. With your own attention split in several directions, it is no wonder people do not pay attention!

Presence is a sense of being here now, in this moment. All aspects of your being – physical, mental and emotional – are focused together on what is happening now. When you are so focused, you exude a strong "presence" that others can sense.

Below are some core concepts that will help you develop presence and connection that are captivating and compelling.

1. Ground your body to experience the sensation of presence. Get out of your head and get into your body. Cultivate the ability to relax your mental attention down through your body all the way to your feet. Imagine you melt energy out of your head and let it flow down to fill your entire body. Grounding your body creates a sense of strength, stability and the awareness of being in the present moment.

2. Warm up your body. Before you speak or present, make sure you have done enough physical exercise so that everything is loose and flowing. You may not realize the degree to which physical tension impairs your ability to communicate freely. Actors and athletes know the power of warming up. You should too.

3. Let others see your real self rather than projecting an image. Let go of performing for them and be with them. Create a style of speaking based on being who you really are rather than who you think you should be. The more real you are, the more people will be drawn to you.

4. Explore the tension of being the center of attention with permission rather than self-judgment. If you experience fear and anxiety to speak in front of others, you have the potential to be a high-impact speaker. You have strong feelings! Your feelings are up to the surface where they can be used to create genuine emotional connection with others. Fear of public speaking is just passion energy that is blocked in the body and not being allowed to flow freely. Give yourself permission to feel the tension and experience it until it releases into flow.

5. Integrate your real, "in the moment" feelings into the presentation without self-judgment. Be real with them so something real can happen in the space between you. Don’t be afraid to say, "You know, every time I speak in groups I feel tension because I want to do a good job of communicating with you." This creates intimacy with your listeners.

6. Breathe. I mean really breathe. Take deep breaths, fast breaths, slow breaths, until you relax. Breathing helps your brain oxygenize and relaxes you body. Spend 10 to 15 minutes breathing before your presentation.

7. Receive your "audience" to create electricity. Open yourself to take people in. Don’t worry about being pumped up for your audience. Instead, allow the connection and electricity to build as you receive them.

8. Let go of perfectionism. Give up the idea that you have to be perfect in order to be effective. Effectiveness is not about your performance. It is what happens to your listeners. If they are changed for the better by your communication, then you have been effective.

9. Choose to love them rather than worrying if they will like you. Extend your love and acceptance to them and give them permission to receive it or not. This is a very powerful space from which to communicate.

10. Talk one-on-one, even in a large group. Make a connection with one person at a time. Have a conversation with one person, then another, then another.

Sandra Zimmer can be contacted at The Self-Expression Center, http://www.self-expression.com/, sandra@self-expression.com and 281-293-7070.

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